Championship joy for U14s as they see off Slaughtneil in final

Michaela Diamond on behalf of sponsors Link It Logistics presents the cup to Eoghan Rua captain Lorcan McMullen.

The Coleraine side dominated proceedings from pillar to post with most of the damage being done in the first half when they fired in six of those eight goals taking a commanding 6-3 to 2-0 lead into the second half.

Slaughtneil battled bravely throughout the second period but Eoghan Rua were too strong at the back, continued to control matters around the middle and were able to pick off more scores to ensure a convincing victory.

The opening exchanges were tight enough after Eoghan Rua took an early lead with a Conor Moore goal, 1-2 to nil the score after five minutes. A high ball in deceived the entire Coleraine defence as Shea McGuigan opened Slaughtneil’s account with a goal in the 7th minute.

Howver by the end of the first quarter Eoghan Rua had added three more goals from Leo Passmore (2) and a Dara Mooney penalty. A close range goal from Fintan McGrath briefly brought Slaughtneil back but Eoghan Rua finished the half strongly.

Points from Lorcan McMullan and Dara Mooney were added to by two goals from Conor Moore, Pearse McGonigle and Emmett Morrison setting up the double strike.

Eoghan FRua took a commanding 6- 4 to 2-0 lead into the break. Within three minutes of the restart Eoghan Rua showed their intent when Conall McGinn burst through for a seventh goal, there would be no way back for Slaughtneil even from this early stage of the second half.

Peter McCullough and Shea Cassidy added a couple of points midway through the half for the Emmetts but a blistering run ansmashing finish from Conor Moore brought goal number eight for Coleraine.

The game petered out to its inevitable conclusion as Eoghan Rua went on to lift the Under – 14 ‘B’ championship title, captain Lorcan McMullan accepting the Cup at the conclusion of the game.

Eoghan Rua team: Sebastian Kania; Neil Maloney, Jack McKenna, Emmett Morrison; Pearse Crowe, Conall McGinn, Conor Mullan; Lorcan McMullan, Finn McEwan; Dylan Browne, Conor Moore, Pearse McGonigle; Eoin Lagan, Leo Passmore, Dara Mooney.

Substitutes: Callum Rainey for N Maloney, Danny Liken for E Lagan, Danny McGarry for P McGonigle, Conor Devine for E Morrison, Josh Mullan for C Mullan, Conor Carlisle for D Browne.