Topline Wards O’Gara Cup final
Elphin 3-17 St Faithleach’s 0-6
Seamus Duke at Orchard Park, Elphin
Elphin claimed the first silverware of the adult club football season in the county as they swatted away the challenge of an understrength and disappointing St Faithleach’s side at Orchard Park last Friday night to land the O’Gara Cup, winning in the end by a whopping 20 points.
Without (amongst others) Ciaráin and Diarmuid Murtagh and Cian Glennon, this was probably always going to be a challenging night for St Faithleach’s. As it was, apart from the opening five minutes, during which they scored three points, the Ballyleague club were totally outclassed by the home side, Elphin playing some super football throughout.
On a breezy but fine evening, it was actually Faithleach’s who began best with points from David Cox, Johnny Hussey and a Dave Rooney free, all by the 5th minute. But that was as good as it was going to get for the Ballyleague men as Elphin took over completely from that point on.
Nessan Lenehan and Sam O’Rourke were on top at midfield while Shane Killoran showed his class at centre half-forward, picking up loads of possession and linking the play brilliantly. Points from Cillian Fox and two from Killoran had the scores level by the 13th minute.
In the 17th minute, Killoran initiated the move that led to Elphin’s opening goal, expertly finished by Cillian Fox. From that point on the game was very one-sided. Elphin added points from Sam O’Rourke (2), Killoran, and John Finnerty (2), and by half-time the score was Elphin 1-8 St Faithleach’s 0-5.
The second half saw Elphin continue to dominate, the home team outscoring St Faithleach’s by a massive 2-9 to 0-1. Goal number two for Elphin came in the 37th minute, courtesy of John Finnerty, while the third arrived in the 51st minute, this after another fine team move which saw Cillian Fox score his second three-pointer of the evening.
It was a pity the game was so one-sided but that will certainly not bother Elphin, for whom Aaron Brady, Gavan Murray, Sam O’Rourke, Shane Killoran, Cillian Fox and John Finnerty were excellent on the night.
It was an evening to forget for St Faithleach’s, but as stated previously, they were not at full strength. Obviously the return of the Murtaghs, Cian Glennon and a couple of others who were not available for this game is likely to enhance the team’s fortunes. They’ll be needed.
Elphin: Aaron Brady; David Maciag, Enda Killoran, Gavan Murray; John Rattigan, Austin Kielty, Alan Gormley; Nessan Lenehan, Sam O’Rourke (0-2); Gerry Cregg, Shane Killoran (0-4), Dylan Shanagher; Cillian Fox (2-1), Evan Gunn (0-4, 1 2pf), John Finnerty (1-2). Subs: Cathal Enright for Lenehan (h/t), Frankie Cregg (0-4, 1 free) for Shanagher (42), Alex Gleeson for Gormley (48), Rossa Brennan Kelly for Rattigan (48), Martin McCaffrey for Maciag (51).
St Faithleach’s: Michael O’Donnell; Karl Nerney, Paddy Farrell, Kevin Farrell; Anthony Cox, Adrian Murtagh, Daniel McDermott; Colm Mangan, Cathal Gunn; James Browne, David Cox (0-2), Jack Murray (0-1); Connell Kilkenny, Johnny Hussey (0-1), Dave Rooney (0-2, frees). Subs: Mark Cox for Murtagh (14), Jamie Betts for Mangan (54), Sam Glennon for Gunn (54), Darragh Walsh for P Farrell (58).
Referee: Padraig Kelly.
Player of the Match
Shane Killoran (Elphin)
