THE under 14 Boys and Girls of Ellistown Football Club have been crowned All-Ireland Champions having defeated St Farnans of Sligo in a thrilling final encounter at Kingspan Breffni Park in Cavan on Sunday Morning last. The final score was 3-5 to 2-6.
An achievement fitting the commitment shown by the play-ers involved, their mentors, club officials and families.
Ellistown were in Group 6 of the competition based in Gowna with teams from Gowna, Co Cavan, Arvagh, Co Cavan,and Tir Conall Harps, Glasgow. Having defeated Gowna in the opening game, Ellistown lost their next game to a fancied Arvagh side. Ellistown then awaited the out-come of a local Derby between Gowna and Arva. Lady luck was on our side as a much improved Gowna team defeated Arvagh. The competition was now wide open and would come down to scoring averages. In their final game on Saturday against Tir Chonall Harps Glasgow, Ellistown were rampant and ruthless in their quest to achieve some 49 points they needed to qualify. In this game the forward line scored nineteen goals, we were through to the semi finals and on our way to Ballyconnell to meet Derrylaughan Co Tyrone.
This was Ellistown's third match of the day and having rested some key players in the earlier game Ellistown hit the ground running and stunned Derrylaughan with breathtaking scores from Jason Dunne, Christy Burke and Darren Higginbottam. Despite a fantastic resurgence by the Tyrone lads, they found the Ellistown's defence very difficult to beat. There were brilliant displays of determination shown by Brendan Donnelly in goal, Craig Butler, Dylan Merrigan, Jonathon Kelly and Rian Cullen. They swallowed up everything thrown at them, the confidence and stature of this team was growing by the minute.
A couple of very sweet points to polish off an impeccable dis-play by Kate Scully was the icing on the cake. Ellistown were on their way to Breffini Park in Cavan Town for an All Ireland final, the stuff of dreams.
Most people are praying at 9 am on Sunday morning. There were Novenas being said in Cavan Town. People from Bishopsland, Kildare, Mountrice, Lackagh, Mountprospect and Rathangan were on the road to Breffni.
In a torrential downpour the gallant Ellistown team took to the field against St Farnan's, Sligo, showing maturity in attitude well beyond their years. It was going to take a very good team to get in the way of what Ellistown believed could be their finest hour.
The final served up a thrilling contest of speed, guile and skill which enthralled the sizeable crowd gathered. At the interval the sides were level at 1-4 each, nobody was leaving their seat.
Ellistown's unbelievable will to win came to the fore with goals by Christopher Burke, Darren Higginbottam, and Kate Scully and points superbly taken by Ronan McDonald giving Ellistown a comfortable lead, John O'Byrne, injured in the opening game was introduced and gave a fine display at half back, they couldn't rest on their laurels for long as a determined Farnan’s side forced Ellistown into a ten man defence while reducing the gap to a two point game, only the kick of a ball between two gallant teams, Ciaran O'Connor and Ryan Bums shone for Farnan’s in the closing stages,
as the final whistle blew Ellistown had won the day and the admiration of everyone pres-GAA President Mr Nicky Brennan was on hand to present the cup to Ellistown’s captain Brendan Donnelly and medals to Rian Cullen, Dylan Merrigan, Michael Caul dwell, Craig Butler, John O'Byrne, Eoin O'Neill, Jason Dunne, Darren Higgin-bottom, Christopher Burke, Conar Bracken, Ronan McDonald, Jonathon Kelly, Katie Scully, Conor Barry, Michael McDonagh, Dean Kirwan, Emma Maughan, and Laura Cullen.
Sean Savage and Cormac Maguire squad members were out of the country on holiday.
Special mention to team mentors Paddy O'Byrne, Peter Cullen and Fergal Noons, Chairperson Ber O'Hara, Club Secretary Mary Dunne.
