Carnaross 3-9 Drumconrath/Meath Hill 0-8

Under 17

Played in Carnaross - 17/10/2008

Carnaross produced a strong second-half performance and secured their place in the Under-17 league final. This was definitely a game of two halves with the visitors dominating the opening period. Niall McDonnell opened the scoring with a goal for Carnaross before Drumconrath responded with 7 points on the trot to lead at half-time 0-7 to 1-0.

However, Carnaross were a different team in the second-half and from the restart totally dominated the game. The defence never gave the Drumconrath/Meath Hill forwards any room and held them to a single point in the second-half. Cillian Comaskey, Stein Carpenter and Cian Gillic were brilliant. At midfield Peter Farrelly and Damien Smith dominated their opponents and gave a great supply of ball into the forward line led by Niall McDonnell who had one of his best games to date in a Carnaross jersey. He scored 6 points from play and set up most of the other scores. Charles Brogan and Dean Connell also scored a goal apiece to leave Carnaross ten point winners.

Carnaross: John Ward; Cillian Comaskey, Cian Gillic; Ian Donoghue, Stein Carpenter, Conor Peate; Damien Smith (0-1), Peter Farrelly; Dean Connell (1-0), Paul Donoghue, Shane Casserly; Niall McDonnell (1-6), Charles Brogan (1-1); Sub: Charles Dillon (0-1) for Shane Casserly;

Carnaross 0-11 Moynalty 1-7

Under 17 Final

Played in Carlanstown - 22/11/2008

Carnaross produced a strong second-half performance to overcome the challenge of neighbours Moynalty having been six points down at the break. Only a few weeks earlier both sides were celebrating together when they won the Minor final as both clubs combine to form St. Ciarans.

The first-half was a battle of the free-takers with all bar a goal coming from placed balls. Carnaross opened the scoring through a Niall McDonnell free. Moynalty replied with three frees of their own and held a two-point lead after ten minutes. It could have been a lot worse for Carnaross at this stage after they conceded a penalty. However defender Cillian Comaskey stepped into goals for the spot kick and he kept the shot out with a low save. Both sides traded two points each as Moynalty maintained their two-point lead. They then increased their lead when they scored the only goal of the game to give them a six-point lead at the break, 1-6 to 0-3.

Carnaross started the second-half brightly and set about getting themselves back into the game. Niall McDonnell opened the scoring with a free before Charles Brogan added a point from play soon afterwards. Another two points from play from McDonnell brought them right back into the game as the Carnaross defence were getting the better of the Moynalty attack in all areas. Another free from McDonnell left a point between the sides before Charles Brogan levelled matters with a terrific point from play. Moynalty were awarded a free with time running out which they converted. Carnaross fought back and once again the sides were level when Paul Donoghue finished a fine move by Charles Brogan. The game was now into added time and was looking as if extra-time was on the cards before Charles Brogan popped up with the winning point from close range to give Carnaross the narrowest of wins.

This was a fantastic second-half performance as every player battled hard for the win. The defence were solid throughout the second period ensuring that the forwards had every chance to win the game and they did the business with six of their eight second-half scores coming from play.

Carnaross: John Ward; Cian Gillic, Cillian Comaskey; Conor Peate, Stein Carpenter, Ian Donoghue; Peter Farrelly, Damien Smith; Dean Connell, Paul Donoghue (0-1), Charles Brogan (0-3); Niall McDonnell (0-7), Charles Dillon; Subs: Shane Casserly for Peter Farrelly; Michael Brogan for Charles Dillon;