U16 Footballers Defeat Westmeath in Gerry Reilly Tournament

Sat, 5th July 2014

DUBLIN 4-16 WESTMEATH 0-8

Dublin made it two wins from two starts when defeating Westmeath in the Gerry Reilly Memorial U16 Football Tournament in Oldcastle on Saturday evening.

Westmeath started the better and led 0-3 to 0-1 after just eight minutes of play. Ciarán Dowling's goal awoke Dublin after he carried the ball through the middle of the Westmeath defence and placed his finish low to the corner of the net.

With 20 minutes played the sides were level 1-1 to 0-4 but Dublin, with midfielders Seán Gibbons and Aaron Bradshaw on top, dominated the close of the opening half when scoring 1-5 without reply. Full-forward Michael Courtney (2), centre-forward Dowling (2) and Eric Rowan slotted the points while Courtney delivered the goal following good play from the influential Jeff Rafter.

On the restart points from Rafter, half-time sub Conor Lennon, Cormac Howley and Courtney extended Dublin's lead to 2-10 to 0-4 after 38 minutes. Then Westmeath enjoyed their best period since the start of the game and fought back with three pointed frees. Westmeath had the Dublin defence under considerable pressure but solid displays from Rob Shaw, Darragh McKenna and James Holland settled Dublin.

A Lennon point showing broke Westmeath's momentum before man of match Aaron Bradshaw pushed the Dubs 2-12 to 0-7 clear. With just inside ten minutes remaining Bradshaw scored an excellent goal. The Ballinteer St John's man initiated the move from midfield and after good interplay sent his shot to the roof of net from 20 metres to make it 3-12 to 0-8.

Points from Rafter, second half sub Mark Donnelly following good play by Howley and a Donnelly goal ensured Dublin's win.

Scorers - Dublin:

Michael Courtney 1-3, Ciarán Dowling 1-2, Mark Donnelly 1-2, Aaron Bradshaw 1-1, Jeff Rafter 0-3, Conor Lennon, Cormac Howley 0-2, Eric Rowan 0-1.

Scorers - Westmeath:

Cathal Mannion 0-4 (0-3f), Dylan Carroll 0-3 (0-3f), Seán Pettit 0-1.

DUBLIN:

Evan Comerford (Ballymun Kickhams); Malachy Tighe (St Brigid's), Rob Shaw (Castleknock), Darragh McKenna (St Brigid's); Aaron Carey (St Oliver Plunkett's/Eoghan Ruadh), James Holland (Ballyboden St Enda's), Dan O'Brien (Kilmacud Crokes); Aaron Bradshaw (Ballinteer St John's), Seán Gibbons (Castleknock); Cormac Howley (Round Tower, Lusk), Ciarán Dowling (Lucan Sarsfields), Jeff Rafter (Na Fianna); Tom Downes (O'Dwyer's), Michael Courtney (St Brigid's), Eric Rowan (Thomas Davis).

Subs:

Conor Lennon (St Finian's, Swords) for Rowan (ht), Hugh Keller (Ballyboden St Enda's) for Carey (38), Mark Donnelly (St Brigid's) for Downes (42), Tom Keane (Nh Olaf) for Dowling (47), Ciarán Smith (Lucan Sarsfields) for Tighe (48), David Maloney (St Sylvester's) for O'Brien (50).

WESTMEATH:

Matthew Rowden (St Mary's Rochf’bridge); Plunkett Maxwell (Rosemount), Robert Cleary (Milltownpass), Ruairí Aspell (Shannon Gaels); Jake Fannin (Moate All Whites), Jamie Rooney (St Mary's Rochfortbridge), Maitiú Scully (Shandonagh); Colm Heffernan (Kilbeggan/St Joseph's), Adam Loughlin (The Downs); Ryan Norris (Shandonagh), Eoin Nally (Ballynacargy), Dáire Hynes (Millmore Gaels); Cathal Mannion (Garrycastle), Seán Pettit (Moate All Whites), Dylan Carroll (The Downs).

Subs:

Ben Tobin, Seán Loughlin, Daniel Reid (Athlone), Seán McGrane (Shannon Gaels), Troy Maher (Ballynacargy), Emmet Nally (Caulry), Seán Lyster (St Mary's Rochfortbridge), Eoghan Gallagher (Milltownpass), Evan Gorman (Milltownpass), James Murphy (St Malachy's/Ballinagore), Conor McCrosson (Shandonagh), Tom Molloy (Shandonagh).