Willie Rogers Under 12 Tournament 2007
Aodh Ruadh ran the 2007 Willie Rogers u-12 Tournament on Saturday, 18 April. Participating in the tournament along with Aodh Ruadh were Devenish of Garrison, Erne Gaels of Belleek, Glencar / Manorhamilton, McCumhaills of Ballybofey and Saint Molaise Gaels of Grange. The weather was fantastic very warm with a soft steady breeze. Ideal conditions for football really.
Devenish and Aodh Ruadh got proceedings under way in Section A, which was played in Father Tierney park. This is a strong Aodh Ruadh side and they lost no time in imposing themselves on the game going in winning by 1-4 to no score at the half time break. Aodh Ruadh picked up where they left off in the second half with a trio of excellent points by Jonathan Gettins the highlight. The final score was 3-11 to one point.
Aodh Ruadh took on Glencar / Manorhamilton in the next game. Aodh Ruadh continued their heavy scoring form with Glencar / Manor taking a little while to work their way into the game. Glencar / Manor were in no form to capitulate though, and in the second half they confined the homesters to three points whilst engineering a few scores of their own. Aodh Ruadh had all the spadework done in the first half though and the final result was a comfortable win for the Ballyshannon lads and a place in the Willie Rogers final.
The game between Glencar / Manor and Devenish was a play-off for second place in the section. Glencar / Manor blitzed four goals past the Devenish 'keeper in the first half. However Devenish redoubled their efforts in the second. Glencar / Manor initially had the lions share of possession and picked off a number of good scores, but Devenish began to press and a sustained period of goal mouth action saw them score a well-deserved goal. Devenish rallied after, that managing a second goal, but it wasn't enough to swing the game for them and the Leitrim side ran out 6-2 to 3-2 winners.
Erne Gaels and Saint Molaise began Section B action in Munday's Field. Erne Gaels totally overwhelmed the Grange side. Saint Molaise had a number of good players on show, but the Belleek side worked hard to nullify their influence and deservedly won the game by 2-13 to no score.
The Fermanagh side remained on to take on McCumhaill's. Erne Gaels were quickest into the action and gave an exhibition of point scoring with very few going wide of the post. McCumhaill's came more into things in the second half, but Caolan Keown at number eight was equal to whatever the Ballybofey side could throw at him. The final score was 5-10 to two points. Erne Gaels' two wins saw them top section B and into the Willie Rogers final against Aodh Ruadh.
McCumhaill's and Saint Molaise was a more evenly matched contest. The first half ebbed and flowed, but a goal emboldened Grange who began to find their rythym. Stray shooting let the Sligo side down though and after McCumhaill's had weathered the worst of the pressure they were able to come back with a few scores of their own bringing the sides in level at half time. In the second half Grange's ability to take their goal chances when they came proved the difference between the sides and the tie ended 3-6 to 1-5 in favour of Saint Molaise's.
The 'B' final was played between Aodh Ruadh and Erne Gaels. Aodh Ruadh made hay with the breeze in the first half. John Ward was to the fore taking three well executed goals. Belleek had the breeze in the second half and the game became a much more even contest. However the Fermanagh side found the going difficult against a tenacious Aodh Ruadh defence and another John Ward's fourth goal ended their momentum. Aodh Ruadh won the 'B' final by 4-2 to no score.
The 'A' final was between Aodh Ruadh and Erne Gaels. Aodh Ruadh, with the benefit of the breeze in the first half, began the final meaning business with two goals in quick succession. Erne Gaels were shell-shocked, but began to work themselves back into things. A well worked opportunity should have ended with a goal, but the Ballyshannon outfit scrambled it away from danger. Aodh Ruadh came back with renewed vigour, but had to be content with a point after two goal shots had been blocked by the Belleek backs. Moments later Ballyshannon did have the ball in the back of the net and that score seemed to mute the Erne Gaels challenge somewhat. A series of Aodh Ruadh points finished the half. Belleek put the shoulder to the wheel in the second half, but terrific work by the Ballyshannon 'keeper kept them at bay on all but one occasion. Pauric Patton went through a power of work for Aodh Ruadh, snuffing out attacks and setting up forward moves. When the final whistle had gone Aodh Ruadh had secured the Willie Rogers trophy on a scoreline of 3-6 to 1-1.
Willie Rogers son Gavin was on hand to present runners up medals to a gallant Erne Gaels side. Rene Rogers, Willie's wife presented the Willie Rogers trophy to the winning captain, Pauric Patton of Aodh Ruadh.
Aodh Ruadh would like to extend their sincere thanks to the participating teams, to those who officiated the matches, those who provided the refreshments, the stewards and to all those who gave of their time and effort to make the event such a success.
| Round Robin Results | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Section A | |||
| Aodh Ruadh | 3-11 | Devenish | 0-1 |
| Aodh Ruadh | 2-11 | Glencar / Manorhamilton | 1-2 |
| Devenish | 3-2 | Glencar / Manorhamilton | 6-2 |
| Section A Round Robin League Table | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Team | Won | Lost | Points |
| Aodh Ruadh | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| Glencar / Manorhamilton | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Devenish | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Round Robin Results | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Section B | |||
| Erne Gaels | 2-13 | Saint Molaise | 0-0 |
| Erne Gaels | 5-10 | McCumhaill's | 0-2 |
| Saint Molaise | 3-6 | McCumhaill's | 1-5 |
| Section A Round Robin League Table | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Team | Won | Lost | Points |
| Erne Gaels | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| Saint Molaise | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| McCumhaill's | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Final Results | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Willie Rogers 'B' Final | |||
| Aodh Ruadh | 4-2 | Erne Gaels | 0-0 |
| Willie Rogers 'A' Final | |||
| Aodh Ruadh | 3-6 | Erne Gaels | 1-1 |
The Aodh Ruadh ‘A’ team which took part in the Willie Rogers Under 12 tournament in Ballyshannon last Saturday.
The Devenish team from Garrison, County Fermanagh which took part in the Willie Rogers Under 12 tournament in Ballyshannon last Saturday.
The Erne Gaels team from Belleek, County Fermanagh which took part in the Willie Rogers Under 12 tournament in Ballyshannon last Saturday.
The Glencar / Manorhamilton team from Leitrim which took part in the Willie Rogers Under 12 tournament in Ballyshannon last Saturday.
The Saint Molaise Gaels team from Grange, County Sligo which took part in the Willie Rogers Under 12 tournament in Ballyshannon last Saturday.
The McCumhaill’s team from Ballybofey which took part in the Willie Rogers Under 12 tournament in Ballyshannon last Saturday.
Gavin Rogers presents a plaque to the Erne Gaels Captain after the final of the Willie Rogers under 12 tournament in Ballyshannon last Saturday.
Aodh Ruadh’s winning captain, Pauric Patton, receives the Willie Rogers trophy from Renee Rogers. To the left of Pauric is Willie’s daughter, Donna. To the right of Renee is her son Gavin and Chairman of Aodh Ruadh Bord na nÓg, Jim Kane.
The ‘A’ and ‘B’ teams of Aodh Ruadh celebrate after victories in their respective finals of the Willie Rogers under 12 tournament in Ballyshannon last Saturday.
Report Filed: 28 April 2007