Br Urban League ends in style with thrilling finals

The St Brigid's Credit Union Br. Urban League concluded with a series of finals played in (mostly) glorious sunshine in Clara on Sunday, July 29. The finals included three Junior finals, three Senior finals and two girls' encounters played in front of a huge crowd. Junior Section Erry v Raheen The two heavyweights of this year's Junior Section locked horns in the first of the Junior finals. Erry, led by Captain Barry Egan, began the game well and a brilliant goal from Ryan Carroll, followed by a long range effort from Barry Egan, put them in control. Raheen were struggling to find a way into the game and good play by Erry's David Sheridan helped them to hold onto their advantage until half-time. Raheen began the second half like a team possessed and strong play in the middle from Daryl Molloy and Captain, Marcas Dalton saw them slowly begin to reduce the deficit. With a minute to play there was only one score in it, but a series of fantastic saves from Erry keeper Jamie Rowan in the Erry goal prevented Raheen from levelling matters. Final Score: Erry 2-0 Raheen 0-3. The Green v The Town The Town have proved to be the surprise package of the Junior section, led by Captain James Dunne. Lewis Kavanagh has grown in stature through the competition and the stylish Tommie Bracken has guaranteed them scores throughout. They began this game well and put huge pressure on a well drilled Green outfit. Eoin O'Hara had his moments for The Town and they cemented their early dominance with a goal from Bracken. However, the Green, led by the hard working Callum Dunne, got back into the game and at half-time it was all square. The second half belonged to the Green as Jack Slammon and Jack Butler started to take control. To their credit, the Town never gave up but the Green continued to push on and at the final whistle they were worthy winners. Final Score: The Green 2-3 The Town 1-1. Bogtown v The Boers The last game in the Junior section proved to be a cracker. The Boers, led by Neil Robbins, took an early lead and great work from Ben Kennedy, Eoin Scanlon and Scott Finnerty stretched the lead further. However, Bogtown reacted quickly with scores from Conor Taylor and Jack Devine to leave the game level at half-time. The second half proved to be a thriller. The impressive Dominic Scully and Neil Robbins traded scores as did Keelyn Conroy and Jordan Egan. But with what can only be described as a contender for goal of the season from Scott Finnerty, The Boers ran out winners at the end. Final Score: Bogtown 2-3 The Boers 3-3. Girls Section Kilcoursey v Kilbride In the first of the girls' finals, Kilbride - led by Ellie Fitzpatrick - settled first and took an early lead through their star forward, Niamh McKeon. Kilbride continued to press home their dominance throughout the first half with strong performances from Hollie Bracken, Kira Gifford and the Bracken sisters. Kilcoursey were under pressure and, already missing star goalkeeper Hannah Cronin through injury, they looked to be in trouble. However, the second half saw them stage a spirited comeback led by Ciara Guilfoyle. Sophie Fagan and Hannah Maher also played their part as Kilcoursey made a real game of it. However, a late score from Ellie Fitzpatrick decided matters and Kilbride ran out worthy winners. Final Score: Kilcoursey 1-2 Kilbride 2-3. Woodfield v Aughamore Woodfield, led by Chloe Sheridan, and Aughamore under the tutelage of Kate Fitzpatrick and Ailbhe Sheridan, were probably the most evenly matched teams in the entire competition. Woodfield got out of the blocks early and dominated much of the first half. Woodfield's well balanced team saw Shannon Wynne, Niamh Rooney and Derbhile Fallon starring in defence, and Aoife Dalton, Kate Cronly and Ellie Cronin providing a dangerous outlet in the forward line. Aughamore started to get a foothold in the game early in the second half and a great goal from Caragh Sheridan got them back into the game. Ailbhe Sheridan began to get control around midfield and the game hung in the balance. A late score from Chloe Sheridan meant that the game belonged to Woodfield but credit to Aughamore who refused to give in and battled on to the final whistle. Final Score: Woodfield 3-2 Aughamore 3-1 Senior Section Erry v The Boers This was the match that everyone had been waiting for. The Boers, with Ed Cullen, Dylan Taylor, Aaron Touhey and Cormac Delaney, have been impressive throughout the tournament. However, equally so Erry, with Conor Dolan, Lorcan Cornally and Lee Tierney starring for them. However the loss of Tierney for the final meant that Erry faced an uphill battle. This proved to be a tense, tight affair with neither team willing to give an inch to the other. The first half belonged to the defenders with Dylan Taylor and Calvin Bracken starring for The Boers, whilst at the other end Chris Rabbitte and Michael Daly were proving to be hard to break down. The match was level at half time; however a big push by The Boers early in the second half saw them open up a lead of three points. Erry never gave in but it proved to be too big a mountain to climb and The Boers ran out worthy winners. Raheen v The Green This match saw the two surprise packages in the tournament face up to each other. It promised to be a cracker and so it proved. Raheen, led brilliantly by Ciaran Ennis, Adam Carroll and Luke Kennedy, took control early on. Scores from Ciaran Rooney, Eoin Gavin and Alex Egan and great defending by Luke Bracken and Marcas Dalton meant that it looked like it would be Raheen's day. However the Green composed themselves for the second half. Sam Leech and Steven Falsey got a grip on the middle sector, Callum Dunne came into his own at the back and Shane Gavin began to dictate up front. Going into the final minutes, Raheen held a two point lead but a late goal meant that The men from The Green took the spoils. Final Score: Raheen 1-5 The Green 3-0. The Town v Bogtown Throughout the tournament injuries had robbed The Town of some of their senior players and they entered this final as underdogs to a Bogtown team that have undoubted potential. To their credit, The Town battled admirably throughout and led by Jack Reynolds, they opened up an early lead. Mark Bennett was defending gallantly and Patrick Phelan was proving to be unbeatable in goals. However, the talented trio of James Moran, Adam Kelly and Thomas Devine began to become more influential and, try as they may, the Town couldn't hold out. In the second half, Bogtown continued to push home their dominance with Kai Dunne inspirational and James Stewart taking control up front. The Town continued to battle but the final whistle came too soon and the day belonged to Bogtown. Final Score: The Town 1-3 Bogtown 3-1.