Historic Day for Ballygarvan GAA as minors capture first ever county title Ballygarvan 1-9 Doheneys 0-10 History was created last Sunday in Ovens when the gallant Ballygarvan Minor team upset al the odds to capture the clubs first ever minor A county championship with a well deserved two points victory over Doheneys. This was previously unchartered territory for the club but the lads produced a performance of a heroic nature to bring the holy grail of Minor football back to Liam McCarthy Park. Ballygarvan started the game in whirlwind fashion and Liam Dillon knocked over a point from a free in the third minute to open the account. From the resultant Doheneys kick out Ger Spillane fielded a great ball in the middle of the park and fed midfield partner David Murphy who picked out Thomas Corcoran with a precise pass. He in turn located Colm O Conchuir at the edge of the small square and Colm blasted a superb ball into the top left hand corner of the net to give Ballygarvan a commanding four point lead after as many minutes. However it didn't take Doheneys long to settle and their very mobile forward unit soon clicked into gear to score three unanswered points in the space of ten minutes to leave the minimum between the sides midway through the first half. It could have been worse only for the heroics of Jack Murphy in the Ballygarvan goal and the stout defending of Alan Murphy, John Lynch and Donal Browne in the full back line. David Murphy soon steadied the boat again with a huge forty-five after sixteen minutes. For the next five minutes, Ballygarvan took over. Inspired by the hard running John Barron at half back and young Brian Quilligan at half forward, Ballygarvan put tremendous pressure on he beleaguered Doheneys defence and were rewarded with two quick frees within a minute from Liam Dillon, the first a tap over from twenty one yards and the second an unbelievable effort from over on the right hand sideline to stretch the lead again to four points. Doheneys fought back again but were kept at bay by great defending by the Ballygarvan backs in particular the half back line of Martin Doody, Shane O Leary and John Barron. In the twenty second minute they were rewarded again when Ken Ashmans' mazy run was abruptly ended by the Doheneys center back and up stepped Liam Dillon yet again to point the very difficult resultant free to put five points between the sides. However Doheneys finished the half the stronger and again rattled over three unanswered points to reduce arrears before the break to two points, 1-5 to 0-6. At the start of the second half Doheneys piled tremendous pressure on the Ballygarvan backs but a combination of woeful shooting and brilliant defending in particular by Alan Murphy and John Lynch contrived to keep the scoreline intact. It was in fact David Murphy who got the first score of the half from yet another long range free. The next fifteen minutes produced some tough uncompromising football with both sides give there all in a battle of titanic proportions. Doheneys again reduced arrears in the forty-eight minute with a point to leave the score at 1-6 to 0-7. However with their backs against the wall Ballygarvan showed great character to fight back. William O Halloran scored a fantastic opportunistic point with ten minutes to go to yet again put that elusive goal between the sides. Then Ken Ashman got the point he deserved for his Trojan work at center forward, at a vital stage to increase the lead again to four, with seven minutes remaining. It was now Doheneys who showed heir true grit and pinned Ballygarvan back inside their own forty-five for the remaining minutes. Amidst unbearable tension, they knocked over three points in as many minutes to leave just the minimum between the sides. With two minutes to go they had a great goal opportunity but were brilliantly denied by captain fantastic Jack Murphy between the sticks. The last point of the game typified the spirit and determination this great side has shown throughout the year. Donal Browne broke up a Doheneys attack deep inside his own thirteen and fed the tireless David Murphy at midfield. The ball was then quickly transferred up the pitch and fed to Padraig O Sullivan who came from his sickbed late in the game to score the winning point and to wrap things up for Ballygarvan. The final whistle sounded seconds later and scenes of unbridled joy were witnessed at Ovens as the huge Ballygarvan support started dancing jigs on the bank and the players mobbed each other in delight. The cup was presented to Jack Murphy who in his speech thanked all the supporters for all there support during the year, Doheneys for a fantastic sporting game and most of all Pat Carolan and Paddy Ashman who did fantastic work to bring this talented bunch of youngsters to the coveted prize. The celebrations continued long into the night first at the Carrigaline Court Hotel for a beautiful meal and then in pubs of Ballygarvan until the early hours. At the ceremony in Carrigaline local publican Pat Daly presented the Man of the Match awarded to David Murphy a hugely deserving winner of this accolade. Ballygarvan GAA would like to thank all the sponsors who made this day possible, Killanully Farm, Christys Floor Coverings, Bridgies Bar, Lamore Developments Ltd, The Village Pantry, Paddos Bar, Declan O Neill, Tony Doody and Ballygarvan Stonecraft who presented the team with lovely gear bags prior to the game. Panel: Jack Murphy (Capt.), Alan Murphy, John Lynch, Donal Browne, John Barron, Shane O Leary, Martin Doody, Ger Spillane, David Murphy (0-2), Liam Dillon (0-4), Ken Ashman (0-1), Brian Quilligan, Colm O Conchuir (1-0), William O Halloran (0-1), Thomas Corcoran, Padraig O Sullivan (0-1), Gary Corcoran, Eoghan O Neill, Eoin Rowe, Brian Murphy, Bernard O Donavan, Calvin O Donoghue.