All Ireland Feile Champions 2004
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Owen Roes Feile Like All Ireland Champions
Back in October 2003 Declan McCrossan walked through the gates of Pairc an Ghleanna holding the Sam Maguire trophy, as part of the Tyrone side that had just tasted All- Ireland glory, a proud moment for the Gaels of Leckpatrick. On Sunday morning past even that may have been surpassed. At just before midday on Sunday another All-Ireland entered the parish, but this time the inscription on the base had the name of Owen Roe O’Neill Leckpatrick.
After a fantastic weekend of
football the Owen Roes U14s battled their way to Sunday morning’s final in
Healy Park, where they defeated the fancied Mooncoin of Kilkenny to lift the
Division 6 All Ireland Feile Peil na n-Og
title. In addition captain Gerard Devine won his way through to the All Ireland
skill’s final, before coming 4th. Another fantastic achievement.
Gerard, his teammates, and mentors Duck, Willie, Donal and Glenn have made their
family, friends, the parish and the club extremely proud.
The lads probably do not realise the enormity of their achievement as of
yet. Very few players can ever claim in their lifetime that they are All-Ireland
Champions. This is something the boys will remember forever. Hopefully this side
can stick together over the next few years, and push for senior team places in
the next 4 or 5 years.
The Owen Roe side were hosts to Kill Shamrocks of County Cavan. The Kill
side arrived in Glenmornan on Friday morning, and had by all accounts a
fantastic weekend right through to their departure on Sunday afternoon. The Owen
Roe’s team would like to thank all associated with the Cavan lads who were
tremendous ambassadors for their club and county, and also for their vociferous
support on Sunday morning. Hopefully they will be back to visit us again soon.
In addition the club would like to thank the team’s U14 sponsor Devine’s
Sand and Gravel, for their fantastic support all year.
Here is how the All Ireland came to Leckpatrick.
Owen Roes opened up the competition on home soil in fine form. Dermot
McMenamin providing the main scoring threat with 4-1 to his name. However this
was a very young Cavan side, with the majority of the side under 12. Kevin
O’Reilly, the diminutive number 10 was proving a handful all day with his
skilful runs.
In the 2nd half of the contest, Duck McCay used his bench to
good effect, Stephen Kelly, Michael Corey and Jonathan Harte all impressing in
the forward line.
A Marus McGinley goal, and a couple of strikes by Dermot McMenamin were
the catalyst for victory in this early morning contest against Letterkenny
Gaels. The Roes were well in control of the match all throughout, with the Gaels
bravely battling to the end, and getting a late 1-1 to reward their efforts.
Game
3: Owen Roes 3-5 Dregish 1-1
The young footballers from Leckpatrick advanced to the last 4 of the
All-Ireland series with victory in this derby clash. Dermot McMenamin was again
the man in the goals, with 2-1 to his tally. Also impressing for the Roes was
Conor Friel, and Rory Doherty.
Semi
Final in Dunmoyle: Owen Roes 6-5 Moortown 2-9 (AET)
This was a titanic tie. Moortown threw everything they had at the
Leckpatrick lads, but just could not deliver the knockout punch, as the Roes
showed they possessed battling qualities to supplement their undoubted skills.
The hero of the day was Paul Devine. With time almost up, the green and reds,
found themselves 3 points down. However the big half-forward bombed forward to
slam home his 4th goal of the game and force extra time.
Extra-time saw Moortown fall away, as Owen Roes upped the tempo. Dermot
McMenamin adding the crucial goals, with a rasping drive, and then a late fisted
effort, to send the Roe’s supporters jubilant.
Errigal Ciaran, Cookstown, Omagh and Donaghmore. Up until Sunday morning
these were the only clubs in Tyrone who had collected All Ireland Feile trophies
since the inaugural event back in 1982. However at around 10am on Sunday
morning, the name of Owen Roe Leckpatrick was added to that role of honour.
In a fantastic display of football, the young footballers of the parish
battled for every ball before emerging winners on a 2-3 to 0-3 score line.
Mooncoin were slight favourites for the title due to the huge physical presence
they possessed, and in the opening bout of the final, they showed why. The
Kilkenny lads were winning all the ball in centre field, and putting tremendous
pressure on the Roes back line with Cormac Daly in particular causing concern.
However the Roe’s backs were impassive, with Stephen McAuley in particular
making several brave blocks.
After withstanding the early pressure Roes started to wrestle control.
Paul Devine, Marcus McGinley and the tireless Kevin O’Donnell dragging their
teammates up field. After 5 mins of the contest, Conor Friel fired over a fine
opening point to set the tone, and instil belief into his colleagues. 3 minutes
later and the lead had quadrupled. Paul Devine firing a high ball into the
square with the keeper misjudged to let it drop into the net.
The Roes now had their tails up, and were pressing on. Mooncoin were restricted to occasional forays up field. However the tactic of getting the ball quickly into Eamon Henebry floundered, as the magnificent Aaron Lynch, despite surrendering a foot in height, was first to every ball. Anytime the ball past Lynch, Gerard McShane, Gerard Devine and Barry Doherty were there to sweep up the danger. Up front Ryan Logue was starting to get to grips with the contest. Logue as well as McMenamin had been struck down with illness on the eve of the final, but still fought bravely.
As the half came to a close, Roes added further to their advantage with
a Dermot McMenamin goal. A hopeful ball into the area fell to the Mooncoin full
back, who dallied in position, allowing the pacey number 14 to slide the ball
home to the cheers of the mass exodus of supporters who had emptied the parish.
With seconds of the half remaining Paul Devine fired over a colossal side-line
ball to extend the lead.
The 2nd half was a real backs to the wall performance. Mooncoin were dominating possession, but as in the first half captain Devine and his defensive colleagues closed down space at every opportunity. Paul Devine and Rory Doherty also filtered back to add defensive teamwork to their attacking flair. Slowly the Kilkenny lads were creeping back into it with 3 unanswered points, but it was a goal they needed and wanted. However Aaron Doherty in goal bravely blocked the one opportunity they were permitted. At the other end though the Roes still carried a threat. With minutes to go, McMenamin added a point to his tally sending the ball over the sticks to open a 6 point cushion . As the game entered 3 minutes of injury time, there were nervous faces all around, before the referee signaled the end of the contest to send the players and crowd into celebrations. All was left was County chairman Liam Nelis to present the All Ireland trophy to Captain Gerard Devine.
Owen Roes: Aaron Doherty, Gerard McShane, Aaron Lynch, Stephen McCauley, Gerard Devine, Barry Doherty, Marcus McGinley, Kevin O’Donnell, Rory Doherty, Ryan Logue, Paul Devine (1-1), Conor Friel (0-1), Dermot McMenamin (1-1) Subs: Emmett Devine, James Gormley, Jonathan Harte, Liam McCay, Martin Blee, Neil McCrossan, Stephen Wray, Rory Kelly, Stephen Kelly, Ryan Devine, Sean McCauley, Michael Correy, Damian Hannigan, Fergal McNulty, Ryan McShane. Dehydration Manager: Conor McCrea.
Anyone wanting photos of the final should contact Joe (07712668329) or Galvin (07732273623)
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