Brilliant second-half comeback wins it for Ballygunner
Ballygunner captain Noah Moroney is presented with the Cup by Tim O'Byrne after defeating St Declans in their Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Roinn A Cup Football Final played in Walsh Park
On the 22nd of October 2024, Ballygunner went to Walsh Park to play St. Declan’s in the Eastern Final. It was a very close game with Ballygunner coming out on top after 40 minutes.
St. Declan’s won the throw-in but were quickly turned over. Ballygunner worked the ball to Conor McLaughlin who ran through the St. Declan’s defence to bury an early goal for Ballygunner. St. Declan’s fought back to score two goals through Ódhran Reade and Louis Daly, before Conor McLaughlin put over a free to settle Ballygunner.
St. Declan’s weren’t finished though as they scored another goal through Ryan Egan to leave the half-time score: St. Declan’s 3-0 Ballygunner 1-1.
With an amazing pep talk at half-time from Mr. Sheahan and Mr. Kirwan, Ballygunner went out stronger than ever, putting lots of pressure on St. Declan’s throughout the second half. Conor McLaughlin and Robbie Mallon scored a point each to leave just 3 between the sides.
Charlie Corcoran then gave a pass to Conor McLaughlin, who popped a handpass to Robbie Mallon who rattled the net with a shot to the bottom corner to tie the game at 3-0 to 2-3. The clock kept on ticking and with 2 minutes left in the game, James O’Donnell weaved through the St. Declan’s defense before giving a pass to Conor McLaughlin, who passed to Ryan Anderson who put the ball over the bar to give Ballygunner the lead.
After one last play, the referee blew the full-time whistle. Ballygunner had won after a fairytale comeback; Captain Noah Moroney collected the cup on behalf of his teammates, who now go on to play in the upcoming County Final.
St Declan’s: Joey Kirby (c), Brody Campbell, Darragh Sutton Wyse, James Hall, Erik Moldovan, Nathan Solomon, Robbie McCarthy, Daragh Caulfield, Aaron Hartery, Ryan Egan, Louis Daly, Ódhran Reade, Noah Kirby, Tommy Hearne, Luke Casey, Darragh King, Julio Oboh, Tiernan Ball, Jeff Grant, Tyler Gater.
Ballygunner: Robert Bourke, Brian Coughlan, James O’Donnell, Ryan Anderson, Noah Moroney, Shane Errett, Ferdia Cooke, Conor King, Conor Flynn, Robbie Mallon, Rowan Fewer, Conor McLoughlin, Ollie Hughes, Will Cullinan, Shay Drew, Ryan Flynn, Charlie Corcoran, Charlie Kavanagh, Niall Walsh, Sam Geary, Harry Kennedy, Richie Sloan, Alfie Spencer, Tommy Atkins, Eoghan Maharg, Harry O’Brien, Spencer Gleeson.
