James Stephens claim back-to-back minor titles with win over city rivals

A polished James Stephens display saw the Village win the Roinn A minor title for the second successive year after they had three points to spare over city rivals Dicksboro in the county decider last Saturday afternoon.

With up to a third of the starting team gaining senior experience throughout the recent league and championship, the Village were always fancied to build on their 2023 success over Dunnamaggin. While it was close for long periods they eventually did enough when running out 1-16 to 1-13 winners.

A second half goal from Zak Scanlon, which arrived in a spell of 1-4 without reply, helped the Village register a game winning tally after Dicksboro had originally taken the lead on the back of a goal from Timmy Clifford.

It was all one-way traffic in the early minutes as James Stephens threatened to run away with proceedings after Ruairi Harrison, Bill McDermott and Daniel Ring all scored as the champions led 0-4 to 0-0.

The ’Boro eventually got off the mark with a Mikey Stynes free in the 11th minute and to their credit, they tore into their opponents with further scores from Stynes, Anthony Clifford and Patrick Lacey, levelling up matters by the midway point of the half.

Things got even better for the underdogs when Thomas Treacy put his side in front for the first time before Mikey Stynes then made it a two point game.

The Village ended their 16 minute scoreless spell with a Conor McEvoy free and Ed Lauhoff levelled matters with a well taken effort from distance.

Sam O’Shea briefly edged the ’Boro back in front but it was still James Stephens that led at the break thanks to successive points from Sean Bergin and Conor McEvoy (0-8 to 0-7).

Ed McDermott increased the advantage with his opening score of the game in the first minute of the second half before corner-forward Daniel Ring then made it a three point game.

The ’Boro then sprung to life with their best spell of the game as they scored 1-2 without reply between the 34th and 39th minutes.

Minutes after Sam O’Shea saw a goalbound effort drift just wide, Anthony Clifford was the right man in the right place to bat the sliotar to the net after O’Shea and Thomas Treacy combined to release the Kilkenny minor star.

Further points from Mikey Stynes and Brian Moore then had the ’Boro eyeing up a shock win as they went 1-9 to 0-10 ahead but James Stephens came battling back.

Points from Sean Bergin and Jacob Breslin brought the sides level once more and it was how the Village kicked on that was most impressive.

Breslin’s second free after coming off the bench and Bill McDermott’s third point from play gave Niall Tyrrell’s side a two point buffer and they then all but ended the game as a contest when Zac Scanlon buried a shot to the net in the 48th minute.

Dicksboro did reply with scores from Sam O’Shea, Patrick Lacey and Mikey Stynes but the Village kept their noses in front through Ruairi Harrison and Ed McDermott. The ’Boro threw everything at it in the hope of grabbing a late goal but James Stephens stood tall to claim a 15th minor championship success.

Teams and Scorers

James Stephens - Zac Scanlon (1-0); Bill McDermott (0-3); Conor McEvoy, Jacob Breslin (0-2, 0-2 frees each); Sean Bergin, Ruairi Harrison, Ed McDermott, Daniel Ring (0-2 each); Ed Lauhoff (0-1)

Dicksboro - Mikey Stynes (0-5, 0-3 frees); Anthony Clifford (1-1); Sam O’Shea, Patrick Lacey (0-2 each); Louis Raggett, Thomas Treacy, Brian Moore (0-1 each)

James Stephens - Billy O’Sullivan; Tuan Hyland, Noah Manogue, Darragh Behan; Larry Phelan, Sean Deely, Conor Heffernan; Sean Bergin, Ed Lauhoff; Bill McDermott, Ruairi Harrison, Conor McEvoy; Zac Scanlon, Ed McDermott, Daniel Ring.

Subs: Jacob Breslin for McEvoy, 39 mins; Diarmuid Behan for Lauhoff, 58 mins.

Dicksboro - Ciaran Power; Bill O’Shea, James Brennan Smith, Luke Kerwick; Oisin Henderson, Evan Murphy, James Cleere; Louis Raggett, Donnacha Hennessy; Anthony Clifford, Mikey Stynes, Thomas Treacy; Patrick Lacey, Brian Moore, Sam O’Shea.

Subs: Ben Henderson for Cleere, 46 mins; Dan Carroll for Treacy, 51 mins; Charlie O’Neill for Lacey, 59 mins.

Referee - Richard Holland (Tullaroan).