Strabane Claim U15 League Title

Sunday 30.10.2022

Club

Strabane Sigersons caused something of an upset at Beragh on Saturday morning when they defeated pre match favourites Pomeroy in the Grade Three Under 15 League Final 3-3 to 0-6.

Played in wet and windy conditions both sides struggled to create and finish scoring chances in the opening half. Strabane had the advantage of the wind during that opening period but it took them thirteen minutes to create a real scoring chance which corner forward Karl Friel converted.

The Sigersons found Pomeroy difficult to break down with Conan Slean and Padraig Harvey defending staunchly for the Plunketts. Strabane missed a couple of goal scoring chances and fired two forty fives wide as the wind made scoring difficult. With twenty eight minutes on the clock Haydn Snodgrass doubled his team’s lead before full forward Peter Mc Goldrick opened Pomeroy’s account to leave the half time score 0-2 to 0-1 in favour of Strabane.

Sean Kennedy and Ryan Mc Callan took control of the midfield area early in the second half. Kennedy burst through to equalise with a fine strike and Mc Callan came close to putting his team in front when he shot from thirteen metres only to see his drive strike the crossbar.

Questions were asked of the Strabane defence and goalkeeper Jay Brennan, defenders Keelan Gormley and Johnathan Orr combined to deny Pomeroy with saves and blocks.

Gormley drove forward to score a point and put his side in front again before a quick Sigersons counter attack five minutes into the half resulted in a Rian Coyle goal to leave it 1-3 to 0-2 for Strabane.

The young Plunketts rallied and points from the impressive Peter Mc Goldrick and Ryan Mc Callan reduced the gap to two midway through the second half. However Strabane, with Charlie Thompson becoming more involved around the middled, burst forward for Haydn Snodgrass to hit the net. The same player netted again two minutes later following some fine team work and close passing and suddenly Pomeroy had something of a mountain to climb,

The Plunketts threw everyone forward but found Strabane goalie Jay Brennan in superb form as they struggled to get the goal they needed to give them hope entering the closing minutes. Mc Goldrick and team captain Harvey fired over late points to reduce the gap but Strabane remained composed and claimed the title on a final score of 3-3 to 0-6.