09/10/2026
Slaney Harriers Crowned Premier Minor Champions After Emphatic Victory
OMNIPRO MINOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP – PREMIER DIVISION FINAL
Slaney Harriers Crowned Premier Minor Champions After Emphatic Victory
Chadwicks Wexford Park | Friday, 9th October 2026
Slaney Harriers 4-16
Ballyhogue 1-07
Half-time: Slaney Harriers 2-02 | Ballyhogue 0-03
Slaney Harriers produced a magnificent display of attacking football to claim the 2026 OMNIPRO Minor Football Premier Division Championship title, overcoming Ballyhogue in emphatic fashion at Chadwicks Wexford Park on Friday evening.
The amalgamation of HWH Bunclody and Marshalstown delivered a performance full of determination, quality and clinical finishing, eventually running out convincing winners on a scoreline of 4-16 to 1-07.
The opening half was a competitive affair, with Ballyhogue battling hard to establish a foothold in proceedings. However, Slaney Harriers demonstrated greater fluency in attack with Ballyhogue spurning their attacking opportunities through poor handling and misplaced passed at crucial tikes. The fact they were playing with a strong first half wind didn't benefit them to the extent it should have and to be fair to Slaney Harriers this was largely due to an outstanding work rate and a solid defensive platform.
Our first goal arrived when Mossy Tyrell got a crucial hand in to intercept a Ballyhogue pass when a goal looks imminent, Slaney Harriers swept up thhe field and Noah Byrne who was a thorn in the side of the Ballyhogue defence all night found Brian Ivers to finish to the net .
Slaney Harriers controlled the tempo of the game from there on with Ivers adding a second goal with neat work from from Noah Byrne and Sam Sheehan. Ballyhogue had opportunities though placed balls to narrow the gap coming to half time but they failed to take their chances and Slaney Harriers took a 5 point lead into the interval, leading 2-02 to 0-03.
The second half started with a bang, Ballyhogue scored a goal almost immediately on the resumption Nathan Dolye finishing to the net, Andrew Brown picked the ball from the net, pinged his kickout 60 yards wind assisted to Brian Ivers chest who had Mick Kehoe running off his shoulder at pace, he carried the ball to the 21 before his shot was saved by Ballyhogue net minder Luke Carr for Kehoe to finish the rebound to the net with his fist.
Slaney Harriers then began to move thorough the gears , producing an outstanding display of attacking football that Ballyhogue simply couldn't contain.
The Harriers' forward division was in devastating form, with Brian Ivers scoring 3 2 pointers in short order 2 placed balls and a sweet effort from the outside of the boot. Mick Kehoe added a second goal when a long ball from Ivers found Kehoe who turned his man to finish to the net. Ivers was conducting the orchestra at this stage, his range and accuracy of passing combined with the constant moving of the forward unit ran an honest Ballyhogue outfit ragged. Ivers would add another 2 pointer and Conor Kehoe would do the same as Slaney Harriers turned the screw. The Harriers' ability to spread the scoring burden across several players proved particularly impressive with all of their 6 starting forwards registering scores.
Ballyhogue deserve credit for continuing to battle throughout, eventually registering a goal of their own, but the evening belonged firmly to Slaney Harriers.
By the final whistle, the Harriers had amassed an impressive 4-16, sparking celebrations among players, management and supporters.
For the young footballers representing HWH Bunclody and Marshalstown and their mentors Bartley Regan Jeremy McGrath and Brian Davis, this was a richly deserved reward for their commitment and hard work throughout the campaign.
The Premier Division title represents another significant achievement for the Slaney Harriers amalgamation which now comes to an end having proved a very successful union and provides further evidence of the exciting young footballing talent emerging from both clubs.
A wonderful achievement for everyone involved and a night to remember at Wexford Park!
Slaney Harriers: Andrew Brown, Pádraic Dunbar, Shaun Doyle, TJ Kelly, Thomas Tyrrell, Oisín Regan - Joint Captain, Dylan Pender, Sam Sheehan, Desmond Murphy, Conor Kehoe 0-2 (2p), Brian Ivers - Joint Captain 2-09 (4 2p's) , Oisín Fenlon 0-1, Noah Byrne 0-3, Mick Kehoe 2-0, Cormac Devereux 0-1.
Subs: JJ Sinnott for Cormac Deveraux 50mins, Evan Keogh for Dylan Pender 53 mins, Angus Tierney for Noah Byrne 52 mins, Jack McGrath for Thomas Tyrell 55 mins, Aaron Lett, Eoghan Breslin, Donal O'Byrne, Joe Byrne Conor Kehoe 57 mins, Cathal Pender.
Ballyhogue: Luke Carr, Diarmuid Doyle, Cathal Ennis, Tom Finn, Charlie Kehoe, James Wall, Fergal Doyle, Nathan Doyle, Mark Smith, PJ Breen, Sean Kavanagh, Larry Sludds, Seán Vaughan, Conn Fraser (C), Sam Kirwan.
Subs: Odhrán Pepper, Cian Fortune, Dylan Martin, Ruairí Swan, Sam Devereux, Harry Asple, Ronan Bolger, Darragh O'Shea, Ryan Walsh, Dylan Tyrrell, Cillian Swan, Beinean Moriarty, Aidan Wall.
Referee Stuart Quinn