Boardsmill claim u-17 FL title after extra-time

Extra-time goals paved the way for Boardsmill to the U-17 FL Div 6 title at Pairc Tailteann this evening at the expense of St Cuthbert's who were out on their feet after an absorbing contest that produced lots of good football. Boardsmill won by 4-10 to 2-11.

Tadgh Bird was the stand-out player for Boardsmill and while he tallied a good few wides he also made a big contribution to the victory. The crucial extra-time goals were scored by Rory Gordon and Jack McGee

Philip McHugh pointed St Cuthbert's into a second minute lead, but they had goalkeeper Keith Hennessy to thank for a smart save from Boardsmill's Rory Gordon soon after.

St Cuthbert's extended the lead through Odhran Murray and they also tallied four early wides as they enjoyed plenty of possession before points from Danny Nixon and Hugh Johnston had Boardsmill back on terms.

However, St Cuthbert's dominated the remainder of the half although they had to rely on another smart save from Hennessy close to interval to go in at the break with a 0-10 to 0-4 interval lead.

Eoin Kavanagh added four points for St Cuthberts, three frees that included one superbly struck effort off the ground from 45 metres while Murray, Dylan and Brian Byrne and Matthew Reilly also contributed. Particularly impressive for St Cuthbert's during that opening half were Cian McBride and Philip McHugh.

Nixon (free) and Jack McGee sent over for Boardsmill who lost wing-back Conal Bird to a 26th minute black card. Boardsmill upped the tempo for the start of the second-half and closed the deficit with points from Evan Gordon and Tadhg Bird.

St Cuthbert's regained their composure and carved out a goal chance following a pacy run by Kevin Barry that made the opening for McHugh who had his well-struck shot saved by Stephen Dillon.

Boardsmill got the perfect boost midway through the half when Conor Wall got through for a goal to leave the minimum in it and they added another goal through Tadgh Bird.

Those goals sandwiched a Kavanagh pointed free for St Cuthbert's to leave Boardsmill with a 2-6 to 0-11 advantage at the three-quarter stage.

The closing stages were fiercely contested with Tadgh Bird extending Boardsmill's lead before McHugh stole in for a much-needed goal for St Cuthbert's that marginally turned the tide in their favour with a 1-11 to 2-7 lead. A late Bird point tied the scores again and sent the tie to extra-time on a scoreline of Boardsmill 2-8, St Cuthbert's 1-11.