Cúchulainn Gaels V Robertstown, Under 16 Division 4 Final

Cúchulainn Gaels Under 16 team snatched victory from the jaws of defeat with two dramatic last minute goals against Robertstown in the Division 4 final.
The team struggled from from the start against a physically imposing Robertstown side, however a never say die attitude saw them run out eventual winners on a scoreline of 5:07 to 2:10.
Earlier in the campaign, Robertstown had it all their own way against Gaels and on Monday last, things pretty much went their way for fifty five minutes. But as the old adage says; goals win games and boy, did that prove to be the case here.
The Gaels tagged over the first score through Conor Hyland and thereafter scores were exchanged evenly. Then it was centre forward Danny Scully who was put through by star man Kenneth Ennis to goal for Robertstown and up until half time, it was they who took the game to Gaels. Conor O'Loughlin tagged on two frees late on before full forward Richard Price scored a great '45 for Robertstown, especially with the cross wind that threatened to ruin this game at times.Half time;Robertstown 1-6 Gaels 0-6.
The second half saw Robertstown extend their lead to six points, with two from Scully and another from Price. A free from O'Loughlin reduced the deficit to five.

A penalty for Robertstown, converted by Price put Robertstown almost out of reach. However Gaels responded instantly with a quick move up the middle before Hyland drilled the ball home to remind Robertstown that the game was very much alive and still up for grabs.

Moments later O'Loughlin worked hard out on the end line before unleashing the ball to the net. Robertstown responded with a point to keep them three in front. Shane Smith kicked a fine point for Gaels soon after.


As the game headed into the final five minutes, substitute Jay Corraway popped up to ram home a third goal for Cuchulainn Gaels. A minute later Dean Frehill rattled in another one to put Gaels in front for the first time since the twelfth minute. As full time loomed, another Gaels attack found Stuart Duffy on the end of a deflected Corraway shot, and Duffy deftly stroked the ball past the helpless Danny Walsh in the Robertstown goals. Dream time for Cuchulainn Gaels Gaels while Robertstown suddenly found their day turning into a nightmare. Enthralling, if you were a neutral.

Cúchulainn Gaels: D Leahy, M Howard, S Maughan, D Whelehan, S Duffy, D Dunne, C Doolin, C O'Loughlin, S Smyth, D Hickey, C Hyland, C Mulholland, D Frehill, J MacDonagh, D Gilbert. Subs; J Corraway, H Shiels, J Behan, A Maguire, R Lyons, K Fitzgerald.

Robertstown: D Walsh, O Hogarty, S McNamee, R Percival, C Lyons, C Moran, DJ Hogan, C O'Sullivan, K Ennis, A Goulsbury, D Scully, D O'Brien, D Jessop, R Price, P Ward. Subs; N Moran, Z Murphy, A Hannafey, M Hannafey.

Referee; John Knight Tweet

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