Newtown Gaels Triumph in Manguard Plus Minor Football B Championship Final

Newtown Gaels claimed the Manguard Plus Minor Football B Championship title on Saturday afternoon, defeating Balyna in a thrilling final at Manguard Park. A hat-trick from towering forward Liam Blake proved pivotal in guiding the Caragh/Robertstown combination to victory.

Blake’s Brilliance Dominates the Match

Blake, who wore the number nine jersey, showcased his exceptional height and reach, skillfully flicking high balls into the net in the 9th, 26th, and 55th minutes. Balyna fought valiantly in the second half, engaging in a tight contest, but Blake’s three goals proved insurmountable.

Newtown Gaels Dominate the Early Stages

From the outset, Newtown Gaels asserted their dominance. Barry Kelly opened the scoring with a point in the first minute, followed by a 30-meter free from Josh Gannon. The game took a turn for Balyna when center-back Kieran Ryan received a black card after three minutes. Blake capitalized on the setback, netting his first goal with Mick O’Toole providing the assist.

Balyna Fight Back in the Second Half

Despite trailing by six points at half-time, Balyna displayed resilience in the second half. They clawed their way back with points from Jimmy Lynch, Andrew Nicholson, and Luke Ennis, highlighting their determination. However, Blake’s second and third goals sealed the fate of the match in Newtown Gaels’ favor.

Team Lineups

NEWTOWN GAELS: Luke Percival; Donnacha McCormack, Cillian Barr, Charlie Byrne; Oisín Dwane, Mick O’Toole, Oisín Hand 0-1; Billy Kelly (captain) 0-1, Ben Kehoe; Joe Morrissey, Josh Gannon 0-2 (1f), Ross Kavanagh 0-1; Oisín Bagnall 0-3 (1f), Liam Blake 3-0, Faolan Hayden. SUBS: Ryan Bagnall for Hayden 42, Jamie Hand for O Bagnall 57.

BALYNA: Ben O’Riordan; Brandon Murray, Jack McKeon, Corey McKeon; Conor O’Donoghue, Kieran Ryan 0-1, Shane Grimes; Andrew Hill, Darragh Carey; Ethan Tansey, Luke Ennis 1-5 (4fs), Andrew Nicholson 0-1; Jimmy Lynch 0-2 (1f), Rian Cully, Liam Dunne 0-1. SUBS: Shayne Boyle for Dunne 35, Seán Denehan for Tansey 53, Flynn Nolan for Cully 53, Gareth Davitt for O’Toole 60, Liam Colleran for Dwane 60+4.

REFEREE: Ryan Moran

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