Irvinestown 1-13 Newtownbutler 2-06

Irvinestown completed an U17 league and championship double on Saturday as they recorded a 1-13 to 2-06 victory over Newtownbutler in Derrygonnelly.

The St. Molaise outfit, under the management of Niall McCann, had already beaten Newtown to land the league crown and they backed it up with a fine all round team performance on Saturday to again get the better of the First Fermanaghs.

Shane McDermott, a member of the Irvinestown management team, was delighted with their display in the final.

“I know it is a cliche but it was an all round team performance, everybody played well. Niall out-lined the roles that they were to play and everybody carried it out so that was pleasing and that’s why we got the win,” said McDermott.

At the start of the year, Irvinestown might not have been fancied by many to claim the titles and McDermott says that their success is down to the hard work they have put in.

“A lot of those lads have really progressed throughout the year, they have a great work ethic and they are like sponges.

“They are great to work with from a management’s points of view,” commented McDermott.

Irvinestown started the game on the front foot as they opened up a 1-05 to 0-02 lead.

Mattie McDermott and Conor O’Hanlon landed points for Irvinestown and although Keelan Fitzpatrick knocked over a couple of scores for Newtownbutler, McDermott pushed Irvinestown six clear when he fired to the net.

Newtown though responded well and Lochlainn King raised a green flag for the First Fermanagh’s and Cian Swift pointed as they closed the gap back to one, 1-05 to 1-04.

Irvinestown finished the half well though with McDermott and O’Hanlon again knocking over to leave it 1-07 to 1-04 at half time.

With O’Hanlon and Eoghan Swift giving them a solid platform at midfield McDermott then rattled over another couple of points on the resumption as Irvinestown moved into a five point lead at the water-break, 1-10 to 1-05.

And there was to be no denying the St Molaise as O’Hanlon and Barry Goodwin notched points to send them eight clear.

Newtown did continue to battle and Fitzpatrick grabbed a late goal but it was only a consolation as Irvinestown finished up 1-13 to 2-06 victors.

Irvinestown are now a major force in youth football in Fermanagh as this followed on from their clean sweep at U15 level this year. Indeed, a large number of these players have won both sets of doubles as well as the U15 Feile na nOg title in a successful year for the club.

And with only four players from the starting team overage next year, they look as if they will be strong again in 2022.

“There is some of those lads who have five county titles won this year, it is great for them.

“There is also a number of the lads who are in their final year this year at U17 and they have come the whole way through underage and those are the first two titles that they have won so it is a big thing for them,” McDermott said.