Round-Up: PTSB Dublin Minor Football Championship Finals

A host of PTSB Dublin Minor Football Championship deciders took place across the county on Sunday morning with Castleknock claiming the ‘B’ title with a thrilling 1-14 to 0-16 victory away to Skerries Harps. 

The away defence came under a fair degree of pressure in the first-half as Harps entered the break leading by 0-11 to 1-4 with Jamie Brogan scoring the all-important goal for Castleknock. 

The visitors gradually played their way into contention through the efforts of Glenn Barker, Harry Flood, Cillian O’Brien and Lorcan Doyle and after Cillian McCabe had levelled matters with a sublime two-pointer in the 62nd minute, they landed the decisive blow through Árann Redfern with the final kick of the game. 

The ‘C’ final was equally absorbing as North County Gaels got the better of Ranelagh Gaels by 2-13 to 0-14 after extra-time in the Phoenix Park. 

A tight affair was anticipated and so it proved with North County Gaels well served at the back through goalkeeper Danny McCarthy while Ryan Orohoe and captain Sean Kelly impressed in their half-back line. 

Full-forward Jack O’Leary (1-2), substitute Danny Martin and midfielder Eoin Heneghan were others to impress for the winners, who built up a winning tally through the scoring returns of Conor McKenna (0-3), Cathal Keane (1-0), Aidan Heneghan (0-2), Matthew Cowley (0-2), Kelly, Daragh Foley, Orohoe and James Murphy. 

Naomh Fionnbarra were one of just two teams to make the most of home advantage as they accounted for Clanna Gael Fontenoy by 3-10 to 1-9 in their MFC ‘D’ decider in The Bogies.  

The hosts trailed by a point at the break but dominated the final quarter with Oscar O’Brien giving a match-winning display at midfield in terms of securing possession while he also chipped in with 1-2 over the hour. 

Full-back Robert Power was also hugely instrumental in wrestling the initiative away from Clanna Gael while Jake McAuley plundered 2-1 at the opposite end of the field to secure his team’s success. 

There was another strong second-half display in Man O’War as Scoil Uí Chonaill finished on the front foot to defeat the North County side by 1-12 to 1-5. 

Thick fog delayed the throw-in by half an hour but it as the hosts that settled the better through a series of inspired runs from deep by wing-back Harry Denver. 

The visitors gradually found their form through the influential display of Conall Ó Móráin and four points by Seán de Búrca saw them trail by the bare minimum (1-3 to 0-5) by half-time. 

Scoil began to click through the gears in the second-half, led by team captain Daniel Flynn at centrefield and they began to put daylight between the teams through fine displays from Zach Orr, de Búrca and Noah Casey. 

Jamie O’Leary clipped over a couple of points to cement his team’s control and the contest was put to bed as Flynn netted in the closing stages to complete a well-deserved victory. 

There was another away win in Glencullen as Clontarf dominated from the outset to overcome SSE Gaels by 2-17 to 1-10 in the ‘E’ final. 

From the solidity of goalkeeper and captain Tom McAdam, who adorned his display with a number of points from placed balls, to the defensive acumen of Rory O’Kane, Kalei Ó Riain, Sean Giles and Sam Morgan, the visitors held the upper hand from the first whistle. 

At midfield, both Ollie Daly and Terry Óg McAdam offered a solid platform throughout as Clontarf built up an unassailable tally thanks to the attacking returns of Alfie Burke, Matthew Lawlor and Max Proudfoot.     

MFC ‘B’ Final: Skerries Harps 0-16 Castleknock 1-14. 

MFC ‘C’ Final: Ranelagh Gaels 0-14 North County Gaels 2-13 AET.

MFC ‘D’ Final: Naomh Fionnbarra 3-10 Clanna Gael Fontenoy 1-9. 

MFC ‘E’ Final: SSE Gaels 1-10 Clontarf 2-17. 

MFC ‘F’ Final: Man O’War 1-5 Scoil Uí Chonaill 1-12. 

MFC ‘G’ Final: St Sylvester’s 10-5 Raheny 2-6.