U17 footballers capture Matty Forde Tournament title

Tue, 4th August 2015

Dublin's U17 footballers became the inaugural winners of the Matty Forde Invitational Football Tournament at the fine Wexford GAA Centre of Excellence in Ferns, Wexford on Monday evening.

Ciarán Whelan's side defeated Monaghan in the Cup Final after both teams had already defeated Tyrone, Wexford and Wicklow in their round-robin section games.

The young Dubs proved too strong for the Farney County on the day when emerging 4-9 to 0-5 victors in a very keenly contested decider (25 minutes x 2).

Dublin laid the platform for their victory in a dominant opening half and led by 3-6 to 0-5 at the break.

Dylan Knight's eight minute goal lifted the Dublin play after a low-scoring opening to the game and points followed from Aran Kelly and a Cormac Howley free.

A Michael Courtney point in the 16th minute was quickly followed by a Aaron Bradshaw goal following excellent approach play by Seán Bugler and midfielder Kelly.

Points before the interval from Tom Keane and Courtney extended Dublin's lead before Howley unleashed a ferocious drive to the Monaghan net to give his side a ten-point interval advantage.

In the second period Dublin remained disciplined at the back with team captain for the day, Dan O'Brien, leading by example with strong showings from the like of Rory Clarke, Rob Shaw and Jack Rowe.

Second half points from Howley, Keane and the energetic Mark Donnelly put Dublin well clear before Conor Hynes fired to the net in the 18th minute of the second half.

Earlier in the day Dublin opened their account with a 1-8 to 1-1 victory over Tyrone (15 minutes x 2) and followed up with wins against Wexford (2-16 to 1-2) and eventual Shield winners Wicklow (5-4 to 1-6) with Mikey Dunne hitting two first half goals against the Garden County.

Image above: The Match Day Squad with manager Ciarán Whelan and legendary Wexford footballer Matty Forde (far right).

DUBLIN (U17 PANEL FOR MATTY FORDE TOURNAMENT)

Evan Comerford, Luke Troy, Aaron Duffy, Dylan Knight, CJ Smith, Conor Gibson, Conor Lennon, Conor Ryan, Dan O'Brien, Darragh McKenna, Jack Rowe, Rob Shaw, Rory Clarke, Aaron Kelly, Aaron Bradshaw, Aaron Carey, Conor Hynes, Cormac Howley, Kieran Murray, Mark Donnelly, Michael Courtney, Mikey Dunne, Seán Bugler, Tom Keane.