Béal an Mhuirthead win Comórtas Peile na Gaeltachta

As far as hosts Belmullet were concerned, the 42nd playing of Comórtas Peile na Gaeltachta reached a perfect conclusion yesterday evening when their footballers won their senior division of Comórtas Peile na Gaeltachta for the fourth time, shortly after GAA President Christy Cooney had officially opened their EUR1.8 million clubhouse and pitch complex. Earlier in the day an Spidéal won the junior section for the first time ever.

Béal an Mhuirthead 0-10 Ard a Rátha 0-9

Another thundering display in last quarter ensured that Béal an Mhuirthead defeated last year's winners Ard a Rátha , who visibly tired in that period having played three games in as many days. As hosts, the Mayo side had a bye to the semifinals.

The Donegalmen led 0-6, 0-4 at halftime, half forward Nollaig O Gallchóir contributing half of their scores , Eamon Ó Dochartaigh, Peadar Mac Niallais and Peadar Mac Aodh getting a point each. But the loss of their full forward Stiofán Rua Mac Aodh through injury left them less effective in the second half.

Seán Ó Donnchú and Máirtín Ó Conaire scored two points each for Béal an Mhuirthead.

Two Billy Joe Padden points in the opening 10 minutes of the second half brought the teams level , and on the three quarter mark, substitute Ciarán Ó Breasláin put Ard a Rátha ahead again.

But they failed to raise a flag again until injury time had been reached. Driven on by Man of the Match, Chris Barrett, Béal an Mhuirthead added on four unanswered points , Aindriú Howard, Paddy Bairéad, Gearóid Breathnach and sub Anraoi Ó Gacháin , before Mícheál Ó Dochartaigh and Conor Classon got two consolation points for Ard a Rátha at the very end.

Béal an Mhuirthead: D. Mac Pháidín; L. Ó Donnchú, D. Mac Pháidín, A. Muilleach; Ciarán Bairéad, Chris Bairéad, Pat. Bairéad; B. Mac Pháidín(0-2), Paddy Bairéad(0-1); M. Ó Conaire (0-2), G. Breathnach (0-1), S. Ó Cearúláin; S. Ó Donnchú (0-2), S. Ó Naillín, A. Mac Íomhair (0-1).

Ionadaí : A. Ó Gacháin (0-1).

Ard a Rátha: D. Ó Gallchóir; C. Ó Breasláin, D. Ó Gabhagáin, P. Mac Craith; E. Ó Dochartaigh(0-1), D. Ó Duibhir, S. Ó Baoill; K. Ó Dochartaigh, P. Ó Duibhir; N. Ó Gallchóir (0-3), C. Ó Clasáin (0-1), P. Mac Niallais (0-1); C. Ó Gallchóir, S. Mac Aodh, P. Mac Aodh (0-1).

Ionadaithe: S. Mac Giolla Dé, C. Ó Breasláin (0-1),M. Ó Dochartaigh (0-1).

Réiteoir: Uinseann Ó Nearaí (Muine Uí Chonláin).

An Spidéal 0-10 Piarsaigh na Dromad 0-7

Another display of point-taking from open play , combined with a few crucial substitutions ,meant that an Spidéal are the junior champions of Comórtas Peile na Gaeltachta. In what was a highly entertaining game the teams were on level terms five times, the last of those midway through the second half when a Donal Jer Ó Súilleabháin pointed free for the Kerrymen left the teams at 0-7 each .

Two minutes later Ciarán Ó Droighneáin edged an Spidéal ahead after a quickly taken free from Man of the Match, Mícheál Ó Callaráín .

Then an Spidéal goalkeeper, Pádraig Ó Maolalla, Galway's junior captain in tomorrow's Connacht Final against Sligo, made a brilliant save when na Piarsaigh captain and full forward Tomás Ó Cuirreáin was clean through. Oisín Breathnach tagged on a point for an Spidéal , substitute Aodán Ó Curraoin added another and Corn Ghael Linn was on its way to Cois Fharraige.

In a swirling wind the South Kerry side missed a few kickable frees towards the end of the first half just as an Spidéal were just gaining momentum. At the other end of the field, Manus Breathnach got three vital scores for the Connemaramen from frees that were just as difficult .

An Spidéal : P. Ó Maolalla; P. Ó Mainnín, A. Breathnach, A. Ó Droighneáin; M. Ó Curraoin, D. Mac an Rí, E. Ó Domhnaill; M. Ó Callaráin, E. Ó hEochaidh; S. Ó Curraoin, F. Ó Tuathail, M. Breathnach(0-3 all frees) ; O. Breathnach (0-3), T. Ó Fátharta M(0-1), C. Ó Droighneáin(0-1).

Ionadaithe : A. O Curraoin (0-1), B. Ó Callaráin (0-1), L. Ó Conghaile, M. Ó Droighneáin.

Piarsaigh na Dromad : B. Ó Laoire; C. Ó Súilleabháin, P. Ó Síocháin, D. M. Ó Súilleabháin; M. Ó Síocháin, C. Ó Sé, P. Mac Gearailt; D. S Ó Súílleabháin , A. S. Ó Súilleabháin(0-1, free) ; A. Ó Conchubhair, D. J. Ó Súilleabháin (0-3, all frees), C. Ó hAilíosa; Domnic Ó Súilleabháin, Tomás Ó Cuirreáin (0-2), D. Ó Sé (0-1).

Ionadaithe :

Réiteoir : Mícheál Ó Dálaigh (Béal Átha hAmhnais)

The ladies final which was contested by two Donegal teams - An Tearman and Gleann Fhinne, went to extra time with an Tearman emerging winners 5-16, 2-14. Although corner forward Gearóidín Nic Lochlainn scored an amazing 4-12 for the winners, goalkeeper Lára Ní Ghallchóir won the player of the tournament award.