In Saturdays U21B Championship in Scarden it was honours even in an exciting game by two well matched teams. A difficult cross wind was present for the duration of the game, slightly favouring Owenmore Gaels in the first half.

Initially it was tit for tat, the opening score a free for Sean Carrabine to get the westerners on their way but the Gaels replied with 1-1 in a minute both scores from the impressive Brian Mahon. However for the rest of the 1st quarter it was Castleconnor who dominated, scoring 4 points in a row – 2 each from Luke Munnelly and Ronan Wilson with a solitary point in reply from James Duffy leaving the teams level 1-2 to 0-5. James Tully edged Castleconnor ahead but the always dangerous Ryan Phillips replied for the Gaels. A great individual score from Luke Munnelly on 15 minutes edged the westerners ahead at the half way mark of the 1st half.

In the 2nd quarter Castleconnor put their foot on the gas and scored heavily. From the 20th to 25th minute they scored 1-3. Ronan Wilson blasted over when a goal was on, and scored another point a minute later. A foul on Luke Munnelly resulted in a penalty which County Star Sean Carrabine finished to the net and the same player drilled over a 45 to give Castleconnor a commanding lead of 6 points. During this blitz the Gaels did manage a point from Aaron Walsh and an inspirational score from corner back Roland Anderson on 26 minutes kept them in touch. The half ended with a point for each team, Carrabine scoring a free won well by James Boland, Ryan Phillips tapping over a free from 20m at the other end. The half time whistle blew with the westerners leading 1-11 to 1-6

Owenmore Gaels came out of the traps with great intensity in the 2nd half and began making in-roads into the deficit. Ryan Phillips hit a nice point from play and midfielder James Duffy curled over a fine effort from a tight angle. Phillips hit another on 39 minutes to bring it back to a 2 point game. Castleconnor rallied but their fine 1st half scoring form deserted them as they missed 2 great goal chances in a minute, Odhran Quinn blasting wide when one on one with Diarmuid O Grady in the Gaels Goals and an O Grady came to the rescue again saving twice from Luke Munnelly. Castleconnor ended a 15 minute spell without a score when Luke Munnelly converted a free he won himself and on 46 minutes newly introduced Kevin Healy fired over a brilliant free to bring it back to a 2 point game. Paul Flynn kicked over from long range in the 50th minute to put 3 between them but a lightning counter from the Gaels ended in Aaron Walsh fisting a point leaving the score 1-13 to 1-11. 

The game intensity upped a notch from there to the finish and it boiled over on 55 minutes when a scuffle involving a number of players ended with Gavin Cawley showing a red card to Owenmore Gael’s Ryan Phillips. Castleconnor went 3 ahead almost immediately when a fine counter attack by Fergal Boland was finish off the left by James Tully. A man down and 3 points behind with only 3 minutes left Owenmore Gaels  dug deep, Brian Mahon put over a free in the 59th minute and a fabulous score from James Duffy on 60 minutes brought it back to a point. From the following kick out the ball made its way to Brian Mahon who slotted over the equaliser. 

In the 3 minutes of injury time played both teams had a chance to win it, a very promising Castleconnor attack looked certain to yield a score but a misplaced hand pass allowed the Gaels to counter but somehow their shot to win it dropped short.

So the two teams will have to do it all again and we can only hope they serve up another great game for those in attendance. 

Castleconnor – Liam Donegan, Fergal Boland, James Boland, Niall Judge, Paul Flynn, Rian Winters, Kenneth Healy, Sean Carrabine, Oisin Flynn, Ronan Wilson, James Tully, Odhran Quinn, Luke Munnelly. Subs – Colm Naughton, Brendan Foody, Daire Barrins, Brian Mahoney, Daniel Ruane, Gordon McHale, Owen Gillard, Michael Cahill

Scorers – Sean Carrabine 1-3 (1xPenalty, 1x45m, 2xF), Luke Munnelly 0-4 (1F), Ronan Wilson 0-4, James Tully 0-2, Paul Flynn 0-1

Owenmore Gaels – Diarmuid O’Grady, Roan Conneely, Roland Anderson, Cian Whiteside, Jack Foley, Brian Mahon, James Duffy, Ronan Sweeney, Aaron Walsh, Gary Anderson, Ryan Phillips, Jamie Callaghan, Oisin Geraghty Subs Liam Gilligan, Callum Tonry, Kevin Healy, Conall O’Dwyer, Mark Walsh, Stephen Fallon, Ross Trill

Scorers – Brian Mahon 1-3 (1F), Ryan Phillips 0-5 (1F), Aaron Walsh 0-2, James Duffy 0-2, Kevin Healy 0-1(F), Roland Anderson 0-1