2024 Minor Football Finals Roundup

Sunday morning was a hive of activity across the county with no less than six Minor Football Championship finals taking place with the bulk of the deciders going right down to the wire. 

St Judes claimed the 'A' decider, with victory over St Pats Donabate. Read the match report here. 

===

In Skerries, hosts Harps did just enough to prevail in the ‘B’ final as they edged a battling Ballyboden St Enda’s by 0-12 to 2-5 with both teams and referee Colin Doyle emerging with great credit from the contest.

Cillian Emmett was pivotal over the hour for the hosts, in addition to kicking three points from play, while Paddy Copeland kept the Skerries scoreboard ticking over with a trio of placed balls.

The concession of two goals ensured that the points of Fionn McAfee, Finn McGinnis, Ben Walsh and Daire Geoghegan were vital in keeping Harps in the hunt, as was the influential performance of Sean Wilson.

With extra-time looming, it was left to Seán Mooney to separate the teams as he kicked a cracking point in injury-time from out on the left flank to provide a dramatic conclusion to events.

===

Extra-time was required in the ‘C’ final in Bohernabreena as St Anne’s edged Castleknock by 1-19 to 2-13.

The hosts looked well set for victory as a second-half goal from the influential Matthew Murphy handed them a five-point advantage.

However, Castleknock struck back with a goal of their own and only a wonderful save from St Anne’s goalkeeper Eoin Murphy ensured that the contest went to extra-time.

Murphy continued to impress as he kicked 1-7 from play and he received valuable support in the scoring stakes from Shane McKeown (0-5), Luke Perry (0-4) and Leon Robinson (0-3).

===

There was another home success in the ‘D’ decider as Ballyboden St Enda’s narrowly got the better of Round Towers Lusk by 0-11 to 0-10 in Páirc Uí Mhurchú.

With the hosts reduced to fourteen players before half-time, they dug deep to secure the win with the scores of Eoghan Butler, Harry Judge, Tiernan Kennedy, Hugo McCrystal and Mark Hayes worth their weight in gold by the final whistle.

At the opposite end of the field, the Boden defence impressed through the efforts of Sean Atkinson, Joe Rafter, Isaac Barry, Billy Grumley, Darragh Kennedy and captain Alan Gannon.

Goalkeeper Conor O’Donnell made two superb saves to keep his side in the hunt and while Darragh Kilduff looked to have forced extra-time for Lusk with an outstanding score in the 60^th minute, Hayes calmly slotted over the winning free in added time.

===

In Man O’War, goals proved pivotal as the home side raised green flags at vital times on their way to a 4-6 to 0-16 win against O’Dwyer’s.

In what was a superb team display from Man O’War, Charlie Dolan caught the eye from centre-back, not only in his defensive duties but also in his ability to drive forward at every opportunity.

Daniel Moore plundered 2-1, including a penalty, and relieved pressure on the home defence with a series of wonderful catches while the tireless Sean Tobin chipped in with 1-1 from half-forward.

Oisin O’Mahoney and Jack Clancy more than held their own in midfield and while Dublin minor Callum Johnston kept the visitors in contention with a series of great points, Man O’War prevailed with full-back Donnacha Farry another player to shine over the hour.

MFC ‘A’ Final: St Jude’s 4-5 St Pat’s Donabate 0-8.

MFC ‘B’ Final: Skerries Harps 0-12 Ballyboden St Enda’s 2-5.

MFC ‘C’ Final: St Anne’s 1-19 Castleknock 2-13 AET.

MFC ‘D’ Final: Ballyboden St Enda’s 0-11 Round Towers Lusk 0-10.

MFC ‘E’ Final: Man O’War 4-6 O’Dwyer’s 0-16.

MFC ‘F’ Final: St Finian’s Newcastle 3-10 Trinity Gaels 4-13.