Our U14 Academy Football team contested the competition final on Monday evening last in Gurteen.
2019 is the first year that Clooney Quin fielded two U14 football teams and the Academy team certainly proved to be a success. In the group phase of the competition our team won 4 out of 5 group matches with 29 players experiencing meaningful game time.
In the final we faced near neighbours St Josephs Doora Barefield, venue having been decided by coin toss.
A slow start by Clooney Quin allowed St Josephs to establish a half time lead of 2-3 to 0-2. No panic in the Clooney Quin camp though and with the start of the second half our lads found their true form. Two goals and a point in the space of 10min levelled the score and the match was up for grabs. St Josephs responded with two quick fire goals of their own but our players have true courage and character. Four hard won points brought the deficit back to two as the game entered injury time. But just when it looked like Clooney Quin could get the defining score, the full time whistle sounded.
Our players were very disappointed after the game but mentors and parents are very proud of the players for their skilful performances and their valiant effort.
U14 Football Academy Squad:
Darren Frain, Adrian Moloney, Fionn O’Gara, David Larkin, Euan Begg, Conor McCarthy, Patrick Finneran, Darragh White, Aidan Beirne, Euan McGowan, PJ McCarthy, Jerry O’Connor, Cormac Hale, Darragh McMahon, Darragh Walsh, Conan Fennel, Donnacha Cantwell, Matthew Corbett, Darragh McNamara, Sean McNamara, Sean Cassidy, David Cahill, Conor Clancy, James Brooks, Damien Guilfoyle, Michael Hassett, Cathal Leamy, Tommy McNamara, Dylan Browne
