BALLYCOMOYLE’S LONG HAUL TO UNDER 14 GLORY
Click here to see photos from the 1988 and 1989 teams

The under 14 championship came to Ballycomoyle again during ’89, after they defeated The Downs 1-6 to 1-3 in the final at Delvin on the 23^rd off September.  It was a great moment for Ballycomoyle who had battled well throughout the championship and thoroughly deserved their success.
Ballycomoyle reached the quarter-final stage by accounting for Multyfarnham, Castletown-Finea, St. Pauls and Shandonagh.  But having reached the knock out stages they found it was not going to be an easy task winning the championship.  It was to take two games to overcome Kilbeggan and to reach the semi-final location.
In the first match a Ballycomoyle team, which was short four regulars, managed a draw at St. Lomans.  However, it was to be a different story in the replay as Ballycomoyle pulled through thanks to their fine second half performance.  Playing against a very strong wind in the first period, the north county lads trailed by six points at the interval.  But Kilbeggan found to their dismay that this lead would not be enough.  Ballycomoyle, the bigger and stronger team, chipped away at the deficit, and a late goal sealed the issue leaving the final score 2-10 to 2-9.  This victory gave Ballycomoyle a semi-final place against St. Lomans whom they duly beat at The Downs on August 28^th.
The other semi-final featured The Downs and Ballynacargy.  The Downs earning the right to be Ballycomoyle’s opponents in the decider by a scoreline of 2-6 to 2-4.

The Final.
The final took place at Delvin on September 23^rd.  The Downs struck early on, notching a goal and two points.  Ballycomoyle’s first half total of two points were credited to David Gorman and Barry Smith. 

Although The Downs scored the first point of the second period it was Ballycomoyle who settled better.  They took control with captain Henry English leading by example.  A fine solo run of his yielded a rallying point.  Then, on moving to centre forward, Francis Devine added a goal and a point to give Ballycomoyle the smallest of leads.

With The Downs beginning to exert pressure the wee junior outfit were grateful to Seamus Fay and Devine for adding a further two points.  The Downs threw everything at Ballycomoyle during the last ten minutes in a vain attempt to reduce the three point deficit.  Ballycomoyle’s backs played superbly, Keith McDermott in particular.  They withstood some stern pressure to keep the score at 1-6 to 1-3.  So the trophy which first come the way of the infant club the previous year was retained.
Ballycomoyle’s championship winning team: David Nolan, Richard Boyhan, Mick Ginnell, Keith McDermott, Jim McCormack, Martin Gavigan, Finbar Murphy, Henry English (captain) 0-1, Francis Devine 1-2, Aidan  Ginnell, Barry Smith0-1, David Kennedy, David Gorman 0-1, Dermot Murphy, Seamus Fay 0-1.

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Last modified: February 07, 2010