Clinical Claregalway make no mistake in minor B final

Claregalway 2-13

Oughterard 1-5

Ivan Smyth at Tuam Stadium

CLAREGALWAY showed their ruthless edge when they kicked 1-7 without reply in a 25 minute spell either side of half time to secure Minor (U17) B honours at Tuam Stadium on Saturday.

Shane Ó hEochagáin, son of TV personality Hector, finished as top scorer for Claregalway with six points on a day when they seemed able to carve out chances far easier than their opponents.

Oughterard, who were searching for their second Minor B title in three years, finished the game with 12 men after Dylan Fitzpatrick and Alex Keane saw red when they sought to mount a comeback after Claregalway’s scoring flurry.

In the dying embers of the game, centre back Cody Farrell was black carded on an afternoon where Oughterard’s opening quarter looked to have set them up for a tilt at the title having carved out a one point lead, but they flattered to deceive thereafter.

After Claregalway built up a healthy lead, a fine individual goal from James Lowery and a well taken Cathal Buckley point helped Oughterard slash a nine point deficit to five as their supporters started to believe their side could secure a memorable win.

However, Dylan Fitzpatrick received a second yellow card in the 46th minute after initially receiving a booking in the 20th minute of this contest. After Claregalway pointed the free through Ó hEochagáin, Oughterard were reduced to 13 when Alex Keane received a straight red card from the resulting kickout for a high challenge.

Despite Maria O’Halloran’s outfit kicking two points without reply, Claregalway controlled the game as Ryan Flaherty and captain Cillian Trayers combined to set first half substitute Sean Duggan up for a goal. They could have won by more as Flaherty fired a penalty over the bar in injury time.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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