Bateley’s late points swing West U-21B final Renvyle’s way

Date Published: {J}

Renvyle 2-13

Oileán Arainn 3-8

Bernie O’Connell

in Rosmuc

THIS cracking West Board Under 21 B decider will live long in the memory of those fortunate to have witnessed it in Rosmuc last Sunday. The splendid Gaeltacht ground hosted a tie that rocked from first whistle to last with the outcome in doubt throughout.

Renvyle earned its county final berth, but the contribution of Oileán Arainn to the contest left a mark on spectators. From Polish goalkeeper Wojcjech Bogucki to resolute corner forward Padraic Antoine O’Goill, the islanders brought a committed and purposeful side to Rosmuc.

The winners just about deserved their final ticket as an astute switch by management in the opening half saw them bring talisman Cathal O’Neill out from a corner forward posting towards the middle of the field. Thereafter, Renvyle dominated a crowded midfield and duly thwarted Arainn’s efforts to get a pacy forward line going.

Renvyle opened the scoring courtesy of Cathal O’Neill, but a brilliant Arainn burst saw them record 1-3 in the next six minutes. The goal arrived from a penalty when Cillian O’Conghaile converted after Mairtin O’Goill had been fouled. The mettle of the Renvyle lads was tested, but with O’Neill playing a much deeper role midfielders Peter Wallace and Ian Bately started to come much more to the fore and establish a real foothold.

Renvyle’s pressure was well rewarded with two frees from Eoin Gannon and scores from Peter Wallace (2) and Ian Heanue. Arainn left half back Oisín O hIarnáin split these scores with a point. Critically, though, a smashing double save by Renvyle custodian Shane Kerrigan kept their morale high.

With the game headed for the break Arainn’s finish to the half was given a real boost with an Aonghus O hIarnáin point and a goal from Padraic Antoine O’Goill. Renvyle’s Ian Bately finished the half with a good point as Arainn went in 2-5 to 0-8 ahead.

Renvyle’s ability to lift themselves after suffering knocks was crucial, and while Arainn’s pace and effective support for the player on the ball was noteworthy, the large crowd knew a keenly contested second period awaited.

Early on a similar pattern prevailed, but last year’s Galway minor star Cathal O’Neill took a leading role in the 37th minute.

Collecting a long delivery from Ian Bately, O’Neill for once evaded the clutches of Ciarán O’Donaill, slipped around the cover to bring Renvyle back on terms, 1-9 to 2-6.

O’Neill pointed Renvyle ahead a minute later with a good free from the right, but Arainn’s determined captain Aonghus O’hIarnáin punished a foul on Cillian O’Conghaile when crashing home a penalty on 44 minutes leaving his team 3-6 to 1-10 in front.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.