26/05/2026
U16 Rionn 2 Football league final 2026 Shelmaliers v Hwh Bunclody. Venue Shelmaliers GAA Hollyfort.
Well done to Bunclody U16 football team on winning the league final on Monday night. They ran out winners on the night 6-14 to 2-5. In what was expected to be a tough game, Bunclody really turned in a performance, on the front foot from the start, typified by Jamie Norris 1-2 in the 1st half along with two well taken goals, from Rylee Murphy and Noah Byrne. As good as the scoring was, the tone was set by a hard working midfield of Cathal Pender and Ed Dunbar, who won the majority of the kickouts to set up promising slick attacking moves, with Noah Byrne being the catalyst with driving runs and well taken passes. Some wayward shooting looked like it could be costly as they registered 8 wides in the 1st half to leave the score at 3-5 to 1-3. Shels did create some dangerous attacks, but a great defensive effort saw possession turned over numourous times, by Tommy Moynihan and Mike Sheehan in particular. In addition Charlie Kavanagh pulled off a brilliant point blank save when a goal looked certain and Patrick Kenny, captain, somehow managed to intercept a ball when left in a two on one situation and a goal looking odds on.
The ask at half time was to try and repeat and in fairness the defence conceded only 1-2 in the second half, with Troy Farrell and Matthew Pender having excellent games when introduced and Liam Coleman winning ball after ball in the backline and Jerome Kelly, Tony Brophy excelling in the half back line through out the game. Mike Murphy took his tally to 1-2, Rylee Murphy continued to win kickouts, frees and turnover ball to keep momentum in our favour. Luke Hassetts introduction led to even more chances due to his good runs and quick offloads setting up scores for his team mates. Donnchadh Lennon chipped in with a poachers goal and Mick Connors finished off a well worked move with an excellent goal and the quickly followed up a similar move with a well taken point.
Well done to all involved 🟢🟡