By John O’Connor

U14 Football Championship Final

Passage 8-11 Tracton 1-5

All roads headed to Minane Bridge last night for the U-14 Football Championship Final against Tracton. In sweltering 22 degree heat the stage was set for the Passage lads to win an historic championship double. The dressing room was rocking before the game as the management team psyched the boys up. The Tracton mentors were shouting “Effort is King” before the throw in and it’s fair to say it was the Passage lads who listened.

Morgan Kelleher won the ball from the throw in and for the rest of the game he was majestic in midfield. Corner forward Mark Barry scored the first point of the game in the first minute from a pass from Oisin O’Sullivan who was making his comeback from injury. From the kickout Tracton worked the ball up the pitch and were almost in for a goal chance only for an important interception by Captain Fantastic Cian Barry. This was the first sign that the Passage back line were going to come out on top. The six backs for the rest of the night cleared ball after ball laying the platform for the Passage forwards to excel. The first goal of the game came from the boot of Philip Heavey after a great solo run from centre back Calum Griffin opened up the Tracton defence.

A minute later Calum was again the provider for the second goal for Passage. Another solo run and defence splitting pass found full forward Zac Hanlon in space. There is always only going to be one outcome when Zac is clear, and he shot an unstoppable effort to the top of the net. It was the dream start 7 points up after 5 minutes. Tracton tried to regroup but with Stephen Lyons and Morgan dominating midfield they couldn’t get past the halfway line. When they did manage to get the ball in corner backs Aidan O’Connor and Sean O’Regan broke their hearts in the early stages winning their personal duels. Sean Coughlan and Shane Whyte raised two more green flags within a minute before Tracton scored their first point of the game on 12 minutes.

The man from Syria Alaa Al Steif came thundering into the game at half back. He won two balls and then set up Zac for his second goal of the game. With the weather so hot the referee decided to call a water break for the players. From the restart Alex Maher pointed after great work from Oisin O’Sullivan. Tracton regrouped and had a period of being camped in the Passage half. They converted a free for their second point of the game. Heroic defending by Alaa , Sean O’Regan and a great save from goalkeeper young David O’Connor sucked the life out of the Tracton forwards.

Sean Coughlan lifted the siege with a shot that hit the cross bar and bounced on the line or was it over the line? The referee ruled out the goal there would probably have been more drama if the score line was closer. England famously won the FA Cup in 1966 with a similar effort. Sean dusted himself down and sent over two quick points to increase the boys in green lead. Morgan Kelleher then scored a great long-range point after being set up by Mark Barry. The next passage of play saw Sean O’Regan clear the ball to Oisin O’Sullivan. Oisin shot was saved by the Tracton keeper, but the rebound came to Zac Hanlon who buried it for his third goal of the evening. Tracton attacked from the kick out and worked the ball into their full forward. His point-blank shot was saved by goalkeeper David O’Connor.

The rebound was again saved by David before the third Tracton goal attempt was cleared off the line by Aidan O’Connor. Philip Heavey wrapped up the scoring with a well worked point with the last kick of the half. The half time score was Passage 6-6 Tracton 0-2. On the resumption Passage midfield pairing of Stephen Lyons and Morgan Kelleher continued their fine form. Stephen won the throw in, and Passage were up and running again. A high ball in was caught by David O’Connor and his pass found Shane Whyte on the half back line. Shane went on a solo run and sent a long ball into Sean Coughlan who buried it to the back of the net.

Jack Mc Carthy was sprung from the bench, and he immediately settled in sending a long ball in to Alex Maher. Alex gave a great pass to Sean Coughlan who was blown up for over carrying when he was through for another goal. Tracton scored two quick points before Philip Heavey scored another point after another great solo run by Shane Whyte. Calum Griffin was dominating at centre back and his passing vision was putting Tracton under savage pressure. The next Tracton attack ended with David O’Connor catching a high ball in around the square. Passage emptied the bench with Sean Cash, Thomas Flaherty and Eoghan O’Bryne coming on and playing their part in this great victory.

Sean Cash first piece of action had him producing an excellent block down and this is an art that he has obviously learned while training with the Cork U-13 Development squad. He was busy winning all the balls that came his way and working hard for the remainder of the game. In the next play Eoghan O’Bryne won a 45 that Sean Coughlan converted from the ground. Another save from goalkeeper David O’Connor was cleared down the field and Sean Coughlan was again blown up for over carrying after he blasted the ball to the back of the net. Sean immediately won the ball and scored a long-range point from the resulting free out.

Tracton replied with their first goal of the game a well worked move through the Passage defence. It was “shuffling” at its best. They quickly added another 2 points. Thomas O’Flaherty who had been very unlucky with two goal chances earlier scored a point after great work from Morgan Kelleher and Philip Heavey. Sean Cash and Eoghan O’Bryne combined to force the Tracton half back to fumble the ball and it rebounded to Alaa who went on a solo run. His pass found Sean Coughlan who made no mistake scoring goal number 8 on the night. Tracton worked the ball down the field and a high ball in was comfortably collected by David O’Connor in goals and his pass out to Shane Whyte was the final piece of action on an historic night for the Passage club.

The Championship double secured in 5 days and a victory for the ages. Well done to all these exceptional players these last 5 days will long live in the memory. Well done to the management team Eoin, Kevin, and Dave.

Team David O’Connor, Aidan O’Connor, Cian Barry, Sean O Regan, Alaa Al Steif, Callum Griffin, Shane Whyte, Morgan Kelleher, Stephen Lyons, Alex Maher, Sean Coughlan, Philip Heavey, Oisin O Sullivan, Zac Hanlon, Mark Barry.
Subs Sean Cash, Thomas O’Flaherty, Eoghan O Bryne, Jack Mc Carthy,

Scorers for Passage Sean Coughlan 3-5, Zac Hanlon 3-0, Philip Heavey 1-2 Shane Whyte 1-0, Mark Barry 0-1, Alex Maher 0-1, Morgan Kelleher 0-1, Thomas O’Flaherty 0-1.