There was an action packed day of action on the May Bank Holiday Monday as no fewer than seven finals were played in the LMFM sponsored Minor Football Tournament across the county.
And what a day it was with the tone for the days thrills and spills being set by an epic comeback from eight points behind by Slane in the first of the finals and the drama continuing throughout the day before the curtain came down on the opening Minor competition of the season when Ballivor edged a titanic tussle against Round Towers in Paddy O’Brien Park.
The St. Colmcille’s captain accepting the Group A trophy.
The Group A decider turned out to be a low scoring affair in picture perfect Bective but that only tells part of the story. There was never much between the sides in what was an intense, physical battle with no player taking a backward step over the course of an enthralling game. St. Colmcille’s got off to the better start and held the lead at the interval but Seneschalstown turned in a brilliant second half to edge a point clear entering injury time. There was still time for a last twist in the tale though and the ‘Cilles landed a last gasp equaliser to bring the game to extra-time.
In that extra twenty minutes they looked to have kicked for home when surging into a six point interval lead but Seneschalstown wouldn’t give up and had the chances to get back into the game only for fatigue to ultimately come against them as the St. Colmcille’s rearguard stood strong.
Action from the Group A Final.
In Masterson Park, St. Patrick’s showed that the production line in Julianstown and Stamullen is in fine fettle as they picked up a second Minor title in nine months when defeating Donaghmore/Ashbourne in a high scoring performance. Leading by three points at half time, 1-04 to 0-04, the Pats cut loose in the second half as they added 3-06 to their tally and defeated the ‘Moors.
St. Patrick’s team photograph. Photo via St. Patrick’s.
In Group C, Moynalty/Carnaross and Dunderry played out a thrill a minute decider with the outcome in the melting pot up to the last kick of the game. Those in attendance in Grangegodden will have left in no doubt that both of these sides will fare well in the League when moving up a division. In the end, the Independent Team of Moynalty/Carnaross came out on top by two points, launcing a late salvo to win having been trailing by three points with five minutes remaining of the regulation hour.
Moynalty/Carnaross celebrate their victory. Photo via Carnaross GFC on Facebook
The floodlights were on in Paddy O’Brien Park for the last of the days seven finals as Ballivor and Round Towers met in a tightly contested Group D Final. Ballivor held a marginal edge for much of the game and try as they did, Round Towers could never edge ahead despite drawing level ten minutes into the second half.
Celebration time for Ballivor. Photo via Ballivor GFC Facebook page.
It looked for long spells in Dunsany that extra-time could be required to separate Rathkenny/St. Mary’s and Blackhall Gaels/Kilbride but in the end it was a late surge for the finish line from the team from opposite sides of the River Boyne that saw them come away with a seven point victory, 4-10 to 3-06.
Coiste Mionúir an Mhí C.L.G. secretary David Campbell presents the trophy to the winning joint captains.
The Group F Final between Kilmainhamwood/Nobber/St. Michael’s saw the Independent Team defeat another Independent Team in the form of Moynalvey/Boardsmill in what was an outstanding team display in Grangegodden.
Photo via Pascal Reilly
And then it was the comeback of the day as Slane who had looked dead and buried at half time against St. Peter’s Dunboyne in the opening game of the day, bounced back to turn in a scintillating second half to complete a Lazarus esque recovery to spark scenes of unbridled joy amongst players and supporters alike.
Coiste Mionúir an Mhí C.L.G. Chairman Ray Finnegan presents the trophy to the winning Slane captain.
