Galtee Gaels edge past Knockaderry in Limerick U21 B football final

GALTEE Gaels secured Limerick U21 ‘B’ football honours with a narrow 0-5 to 0-3 victory over Knockaderry in the decider played in Fitzgerald Park, Kilmallock this Friday afternoon.

It took four points from the boot of Zach McCarthy to see off a Knockaderry side which had levelled this contest early in the second half. Their inability to nudge in front proved pivotal, and despite a handful of goalmouth scrambles in the dying embers, the Gaels held on for county honours.

McCarthy opened the scoring, on eight minutes, via a free after play was brought back after his initial effort was superbly saved by Eoin O’Connor. Four first half wides were costly for Knockaderry, as McCarthy’s second free doubled the lead on 26 minutes.

Michael Molloy’s free eventually got Knockaderry on the board but McCarthy finished off a Mark Walsh pass to close the half – 0-3 to 0-1 at the interval.

Quickfire points from captain Kieran Storin and Enda Moran hauled the men in green level but efforts from Jack Ryan on 43 and an insurance point from McCarthy on 49 gave Sean McGrath’s man a commanding two point lead.

Michael Molloy’s frees late on caused plenty of goalmouth issues but Cian Lewis in the Gaels goal, with the help of his defence, preserved his clean sheet to secure a welcomed county title for the south Limerick club.

SCORERS: Galtee Gaels: Zach McCarthy 0-4 (0-2 f); Jack Ryan 0-1. Knockaderry: Michael Molloy (f), Kieran Storin, Enda Moran 0-1 each.