Aodh Ruadh take third u21 title

Under 21 county final
Aodh Ruadh 1-13
Gaoth Dobhair 0-8
2 June 1985

AODH RUADH, Ballyshannon, captured their third under 21 Championship on Sunday at MacCumhaill Park overcoming a gallant Gaoth Dobhair team to win a final that lived up to expectations and provided some marvellous entertainment.

Staying in contention for 30 minutes in this blistering under 21 county final was more than a fair achievement by Gaoth Dobhair, who were unfortunate to meet an Aodh Ruadh side who finally got their act together and played some marvellous football.

The mid-field tussle between Aodh Ruadh's lynch pin. Brian Murray and Gaoth Dobhair's aptly named Brian Mór Gallagher lived up to expectations. Murray, finding himself in the unusual position of marking a man taller than himself, must be credited for a crafty display.

Eventually The Aodh Ruadh man matched Gallagher in the battle for aerial superiority and his dominance of that sector coincided with a marked increase in the whole team's performance. However, when under considerable pressure in the first, period Aodh Ruadh's strength lay in the half-back line with Conor Boyle and Joe Curran making several vital interceptions. But Gaoth Dobhair's challenge ran out of steam shortly after the resumption eventually crumbling as the eldest of the Murray trio. Brian began to marshall midfield.

Undoubtedly Gaoth Dobhair relied too much on individual performances and with Murray and Boyle winning so much valuable possession the losers star players were eclipsed, only centre-half back Paul McGee managing a reasonable standard anfter half-time.

Though keenly contested, the first half was marred by stoppages and 20 frees in all didn't allow any chance of lucid open football.

Two snappy points cave the winners a good start. Gaoth Dobhair replied quickly, Eamon Mac Niallais pointing from a free.

Those points set the pattern for the half. Brian and Alan Murray notching two more points with Gaoth Dobhair cutting their lead with another MacNiallais point followed by one from a free from his mid-field partner, Brian Mór Gallagher. Significantly in the first half Gaoth Dobhair kept in the hunt thanks to Paul McGee and Brendan Boyle, as well as their key mid-field pair, but little was seen of McGee and Boyle in the second period and their forwards didn't look capable of winning possession when the chips were down after half-time. Aodh Ruadh's slender lead at the break of a single point, 0-5 to 0-4, was more a reflection of Gaoth Dobhair's ability than Aodh Ruadh's poor play. The winners were very mediocre and the Gaeltacht side looked poised to over-run them in the second half. However, despite levelling Gaoth Dobhair found themselves in deep trouble as Aodh Ruadh put on the pressure. A rasping shot from Frankie Gallagher went narrowly wide, but served to herald a dramatic improvement in their seneral play.

As Murray began to field spectacularly with great back-up from Conor Boyle Aodh Ruadh's forwards began to "run riot'.

The winner's captain, Kieran Tinney, led by example pointing them into the lead once more and points from Conor Boyle and Dermot Keon gave them a three point advantage by the 40th minute.

But a goal moments later which was finished superbly by Val Murray who pounced on a Terry McShea flick on proved decisive. The goal marked the end of any real threat from Gaoth Dobhair.

Four minutes later the winners were attacking again, with Pat McGovern soloing through to be fouled just outside the square. Unsure of the actual spot where the foul occurred referee John McGlanaghy consulted with his umpires before deciding that the offence merited a 14 yard tree and not a penalty.

Val Murray pointed the resultant free. Gaoth Dobhair in one of their few forays into attack pointed from another free, but that, and their final two points were to have little bearing on the final outcome.

Aodh Ruadh carved their defence open at will. Full forward Terry McShea and substitute John Forkin winning possession and laying off the ball expertly to the accurate Val Murray while Frank Gallagher combined with Forkin to set up McShea who pointed casually with his weaker left foot in the 48th minute.

The final twelve minutes were nothing short of a formality, many of the winning side polishing off a comprehensive display with some intricate, but wasteful passing movements. But,. it was appropriate that a Murray should notch their final score. Alan pointing from 30 metres to wrap up the scoring and the title for a very slick Aodh Ruadh outfit.

Aodh Ruadh are under 21 county champions for a third time.

Vital Statistics
Teams
Aodh Ruadh S. Gallagher; M. Cleary, G. Walshe, E. Walshe; J. Curran, C. Boyle, D. Keon (0-1); K. Tinney (0-1), B. Murray (0-1); F. Gallagher (0-1), P. McGovern (0-1), A. Murray (0-3); V. Murray (1-3), T. McShea (0-2), B. Drummond. Substitutions: J. Forkin for Drummond.
Four Masters J. Doohan; S. Curran, J. Ferry, M. Ferry; L. McGee, P. McGee, B. Boyle; B. Gallagher (0-2), E. MacNiallais (0-4); S Gallagher, B. Boyle (0-1), C. Breslin; P. McBride (0-1), P. McHugh, P. McBride. Substitutions: N. McFadden for Breslin. S. Ferry for S. Gallagher.
Referee: J. McGlanaghy (Four Masters).

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