Mick Shannon Under 10 Tournament 2007
Aodh Ruadh ran the 2007 Michael Shannon u-10 Tournament on Saturday, 5 May. Participating in the tournament along with Aodh Ruadh were Bundoran, Killybegs, Melvin Gaels from Kinlough and Naomh Bríd from Ballintra / Laghey. The conditions were very warm and mild without the oppressive heat of previous days.
Aodh Ruadh were up against Kinlough neighbours Melvin Gaels in the first game. The Ballyshannon team were slow getting up the pace of proceedings and Melvin Gaels took full advantage crashing home four goals in the first half to put them in winning by eight points at half time. Aodh Ruadh had their work cut out for them, but they upped the work rate considerably in the second half showing great patience to work themselves back into the match with some fine point scoring. The defence shut up shop allowing Kinlough just a solitary point in the second half. Aodh Ruadh prevailed in the end with a second half performance just good enough to secure a two-point victory, although a draw might have been the fairer result.
The other first round game saw Bundoran take on last year's winner of the Mick Shannon tournament, Killybegs. Both teams played cat and mouse in the opening half. It was Killybegs who held a two point advantage at half time however. Bundoran were a different prospect in the second half though and they grew progressively stronger as the game went on, taking their goal chances when they came. Killybegs continued to battle with Conor Knox making a particularly skilful contribution, but Bundoran were triumphant at the final whistle on a scoreline of 4-1 to 2-1.
Killybegs had to pick themselves up to take on Aodh Ruadh in the second round of games. This is a very good Aodh Ruadh side and they were well served by Philip Patton's eye for goal. He scored two clinkers in the first half. Killybegs afforded the homesters a lot of space and Aodh Ruadh made profitable use of it. Killybegs enjoyed a bit more of the play in the second half, but Ballyshannon continued to apply significant pressure on their goalmouth and were able to get the scores that made the game secure. Aodh Ruadh won by four goals.
Naomh Bríd's first game was against a Bundoran team buzzing from their opening victory. Bundoran were quickest into the action raining the ball in on the Naomh Bríd square and two soft goals swung the game in the seasider's favour. Naomh Bríd came more into the game in the second half, which was a lot tenser. Bundoran's concentration lapsed somewhat their passing a bit more ragged. The Ballintra/Laghey team worked hard to get back into the game, but Bundoran had enough in reserve to run out good winners in the end on scoreline of 6-4 to 0-1.
Killybegs took on Naomh Bríd in the first of the third round games. The game proved to be the tightest to date. Shane Timoney did Trojan work for Naomh Bríd at number 8 and the teams were level at half time. The second half was similarly competitive fare, but Killybegs were better able to take their goals. A classy Rory McCallig was at the heart of the best Killybegs work. The final score of 4-5 to 2-6 was a fair result in the end.
Melvin Gaels had a great deal of possession in the game against Bundoran. However the Kinlough team was profligate in front of the posts and they must have been frustrated to be going into the break losing by a goal. The pattern was much same in the second half as Melvin Gaels laid siege to the Bundoran goals, however the seasiders defence held firm and they conceded only a single goal. In the last moments of the game Bundoran managed to raise the siege long enough to put together a swift move up the pitch, which was finished by a fine Niall Carr point. The closest game so far ended Bundoran 1-3, Melvin Gaels 1-1.
There was little respite for Naomh Bríd as they took on an Aodh Ruadh team that was motoring well. Naomh Bríd were tiring somewhat at this stage and Aodh Ruadh were back in action after a bye in the previous round of game. Ballyshannon's Gavin McDaid showed a number of skilful touches as he directed play. The majority of the scoring was done in the first half. Both teams tightened up in the second and Aodh Ruadh was only able to register a solitary point in that period. In the end Aodh Ruadh claimed a hard-earned ten point win.
Killybegs and Melvin Gaels were in the other fourth round game and it proved to be a tightly contested affair with a lot of good football being played. The sides were evenly matched at two goals a piece at half time. Killybegs just had that bit more in the tank in the second half and their display of point scoring took them away from Melvin Gaels. An excellent Dan Rooney goal was not enough for Kinlough in the end and Killybegs won by 3-5 to 3-0. It has to be said this was one of the best Melvin Gaels teams to come to the Mick Shannon tournament in recent years and it is clear that a lot of good work is going on across the border in Leitrim.
As Bundoran and Aodh Ruadh had both claimed three victories at the end of the fourth round of games and could not be caught by any of the other teams, it was agreed to play their final round game as the 'A' final. Before that however there were two more games to be contested. First the final round game between Naomh Bríd and Melvin Gaels followed by the 'B' final, again between Aodh Ruadh and Bundoran.
The Naomh Bríd versus Kinlough game finally gave Melvin Gaels something to cheer about. A determined Naomh Bríd side had a decent share of possession in the first half, but were caught by two Kinlough goals. The second half saw a brilliant display by the Ballintra /Laghey defence as they held a dogged Melvin Gaels attack at bay. They also managed to edge the second half, scoring the only point in that period. Kinlough held on for victory though.
Aodh Ruadh were unbeaten going into the 'B' final, while Bundoran had earned their place with wins over Killybegs and Melvin Gaels. The final itself was very close fare in the first half with the side level at a goal versus three points at the break. An Oisín Roper pointed free at the start of the second half set the tone as Aodh Ruadh kept the seasiders pinned in their own half for much of the remainder of the game. Jimmy Ward made a goal for himself midway through the second half and was pivotal once again as he arched the ball across the face of the goals for Ryan Gallagher to claim and shoot to the net just before Terrence McShea blew for full time. The Ballyshannon team were jubilant, reclaiming the 'B' shield on a score line of 1-0 to 2-4.
The 'A' final saw the south Donegal neighbours matched up once again. Ballyshannon got off to a dream start with Philip Patton shooting to the back of the Bundoran net with a long range effort. Bundoran weren't fazed though and soon restored parity with a well worked goal from Cian McEniff. Kevin Mulhern quickly tagged on another point as Bundoran entered their best phase of the game. A number of Aodh Ruadh attacks had come to nought with one shot coming back of the cross bar and a second going just narrowly wide. Bundoran took full advantage of these misses with Cian McEniff popping up to crash ball to the back of the Aodh Ruadh net after a good move up the field. Things were starting to look ominous for Aodh Ruadh, but the defence was putting in great work to thwart promising Bundoran moves, Donal Sweeny and Enda Drummond in particular going through an ocean of work. Philip Patton was able to take charge of matters and work a great goal just on the stroke of halftime that saw Ballyshannon going in only a point down.
Bundoran got the best possible start to the second half as Timmy Govorov finished off a well worked goal. Aodh Ruadh didn't let this upset their rhythm though and they patiently moved the ball back up the pitch and Dan Warnock rifled the ball to the net. Aodh Ruadh began to pile on the pressure and there was some fantastic defending by the seasiders. However Shane McGrath was in great form and took two fantastic points, one to level the game and one to put Aodh Ruadh into the lead. These points were followed by another Dan Warnock goal that put Aodh Ruadh into a four point lead with time ebbing away. Bundoran's Paul Murphy worked hard in this period trying to pull his team back into the game, and he was central in a move that saw Timmy Govorov chipping over a lovely point. Time had run out for Bundoran though and there were scenes of delight and euphoria as final whistle went and Aodh Ruadh realised they had reclaimed the Mick Shannon trophy.
Michael Shannon's wife Noreen was on hand to present runners up medals to Bundoran's 'A' and 'B' teams. Noreen then presented the 'B' Shield to 'B' team captain Patrick Herron. That was followed by the presentation of the Michael Shannon trophy to the winning captain, Eugene Drummond 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 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| A Section: Round Robin: Father Tierney Park | |||
| Aodh Ruadh | 2-9 | Melvin Gaels | 4-1 |
| Bundoran | 4-1 | Killybegs | 2-1 |
| Aodh Ruadh | 4-1 | Killybegs | 0-1 |
| Bundoran | 6-4 | Naomh Bríd | 0-1 |
| Killybegs | 4-5 | Naomh Bríd | 2-6 |
| Bundoran | 1-3 | Melvin Gaels | 1-1 |
| Aodh Ruadh | 3-2 | Naomh Bríd | 0-1 |
| Killybegs | 3-5 | Melvin Gaels | 3-0 |
| Naomh Bríd | 0-1 | Melvin Gaels | 2-0 |
| Aodh Ruadh | 4-2 | Bundoran | 3-2 |
| B Section: Round Robin: Munday's Field | |||
| Aodh Ruadh | 1-1 | Melvin Gaels | 0-0 |
| Bundoran | 1-1 | Killybegs | 0-0 |
| Bundoran | 0-0 | Aodh Ruadh | 1-4 |
| Killybegs | 2-1 | Melvin Gaels | 1-0 |
| Bundoran | 0-2 | Melvin Gaels | 0-0 |
| Aodh Ruadh | 2-3 | Killybegs | 0-0 |
| A Section Round Robin League Table | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team | Won | Draw | Lost | Points |
| Aodh Ruadh | 4 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Bundoran | 3 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| Killybegs | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| Melvin Gales | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 |
| Naomh Bríd | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| B Section Round Robin League Table | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Team | Won | Lost | Points |
| Aodh Ruadh | 3 | 0 | 6 |
| Bundoran | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| Killybegs | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Melvin Gaels | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Finals | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| B Section Final: Father Tierney Park | |||
| Aodh Ruadh | 2-4 | Bundoran | 1-0 |
The Aodh Ruadh 'A' team which took part in the Michael Shannon Under 10 tournament in Ballyshannon last Saturday.
The Bundoran 'A' team which took part in the Michael Shannon Under 10 tournament in Ballyshannon last Saturday.
The Bundoran 'B' team which took part in the Michael Shannon Under 10 tournament in Ballyshannon last Saturday.
The Killybegs 'A' team which took part in the Michael Shannon Under 10 tournament in Ballyshannon last Saturday.
The Melvin Gaels 'A' team which took part in the Michael Shannon Under 10 tournament in Ballyshannon last Saturday.
The Melvin Gaels 'B' team which took part in the Michael Shannon Under 10 tournament in Ballyshannon last Saturday.
The Naomh Bríd 'A' team which took part in the Michael Shannon Under 10 tournament in Ballyshannon last Saturday.
Noreen Shannon presents the 'B' Shield to the Aodh Ruadh Captain, Patrick Herron, after the final of the Michael Shannon under 10 tournament in Ballyshannon last Saturday.
Noreen Shannon presents the Michael Shannon trophy to the Aodh Ruadh Captain, Eugene Drummond, after the final of the Michael Shannon under 10 tournament in Ballyshannon last Saturday.
The 'A' and 'B' teams of Aodh Ruadh celebrate after victories in their respective finals of the Michael Shannon under 10 tournament in Ballyshannon last Saturday.
Report Filed: 6 May 2007