Joy for St James’ minors

Date Published: 20-Oct-2009

ST. JAMES’ powered their way to a third West Board Minor A title in four years on Saturday afternoon in Pearse Stadium, overcoming a gallant Micheál Breathnach side in a replay which, although not hitting the dramatic heights of the first encounter, still provided compelling viewing for those in attendance.

While the drawn game provided six goals and lead changes aplenty, this time around St. James’ had learnt their lesson and adapted accordingly. Two personnel and eight positional changes were evident from the start and one of the new faces, ‘keeper Nigel Walsh, had a favourable impact on the course of the game.

With only two minutes remaining and St. James’ three points to the good, Breathnachs, who had battled back impressively from a deficit of six, were desperate for a goal and carved out a glorious
chance for Eanna Griallais which looked set to provide such a score. Walsh had other ideas, though, diving to his right to repel the shot, and from there the winners never looked back, breaking the Inverin side’s stubborn resistance with a flurry of late scores.

Ronan O’Connell, captain and one of five on the team who were part of the 2007 winning side, was instrumental throughout and part of a two man full forward line alongside Philip Ryan which accounted for ten of St. James’ scores.

Shane Coughlan, named in the forward line, also fulfilled a vital role as a sweeper between the half and full back lines. Most importantly, though…