Kilkenny GAA- Bergin goals deliver silverware for Bally’ boys

There may have been an early start for the final, but St Patrick’s (Ballyragget) were no slouches when it came to collecting the Minor Roinn B football title in Urlingford.

Despite the 10am throw-in time St Patrick’s were quick off the mark, grabbing a goal in the opening minutes. Emeralds, still trying to find their feet, went for a point shortly after but their effort went wide. A kickout from Michael Glennon landed down with Harry Culleton, but his goal attempt was saved and put over the bar instead.

Emeralds won the ball back and played it upfield, only to be fouled on their way in to score. Stepping up to take the free was Callum Lawlor but his strike was caught and cleared by St Patrick’s goalkeeper Tadhg Phelan. Emeralds regrouped and finally got their first score on the board after 10 minutes through Oisin Quinlan. Jimmy Cleere was fouled shortly after, so another free scored by Callum Lawlor, left the score at 1-1 to 0-2.

Minutes later Emeralds were awarded a penalty - once again Jimmy Cleere was the man to step up. He unleashed a great kick, but 15-year-old goalkeeper Tadhg Phelan was equal to it, making a great save.

Emeralds didn’t lose heart though and after a few wides from both sides they scored a goal of their own in the 20th minute. Very little separated the sides for the remainder of the first half, at the end of which St Patrick’s held a slender advantage (1-4 to 1-3).

The second half started in good fashion for Emeralds as they levelled the score in a matter of minutes. The home side seemed to take over the game, winning the ball back from St Patrick’s time and time again.

However, the game changed when Patrick’s played a ball up the field. It landed in the hands of captain Mark Bergin, who whipped it into the back of the Emeralds net changing the dynamic of the game.

Emeralds made some substitutions but midway through the half Mark Bergin scored his second goal, leaving the Ballyragget men with a seven-point lead. Emeralds couldn’t really recover, and the St Patrick’s side dominated for the rest of the game.

On a roll, the Saints pressed on and another goal from Christian Connick in the 54th minute put the game to bed. Emeralds responded with a goal of their own in the 56th minute, but by then it was too late.

St Patrick’s - Tadhg Phelan, Charlie Culleton, Michael Glennon, Conor Rocliffe, Kieran Bergin, Christopher Delaney, Harry Culleton, Mark Bergin, Mark Doheny, Aaron Nealis, Oisin Troy, Mark Hogan, Josh Dowling, Christian Connick, Patrick Morrissey, Evan Nealis, Cormac Diver, Evan Coogan, Will Ryan, Richard Lynch, James Cash, Shay Smith, Andrew Lawless, Tadhg Butler, Eoin Coyle Twomey.

Emeralds - Daniel Tobin, Bill Cussin, Cormac Burke, Richard Costello, Darragh Hickey, Simon Zhang, Craig Barnaville, Oisin Deegan, Dylan Ivers, Conor Kavanagh, Oisin Quinlan, Jimmy Cleere, Cian Hickey, Diarmuid Burke, Callum Lawlor, Callum Broderick, Paddy Cussen, Nathan Barnaville, Conor Holohan, Conor Gibbons, Jack Power, Cormac Joyce.

Referee - Owen Beehan.