Lavey achieve their goal
Lavey 2-10
Redbridge 2-8
By Kevin Carney
Lavey's U-16 starlets left their best wine 'till last to leave amalgamation side Redbridge punch drunk at the end of a slow-burning Division Two Championship decider at Kingspan/Breffni Park.
In an ultra-dramatic conclusion to the game, Redbridge appeared to have at least earned themselves a second chance when goaling to level matters two minutes into added-on time.
However Lavey hit back with a similar effort less than 90 seconds later to break the hearts of the Butlersbridge-Redhills combination.
The game was a bit like the curate's egg with the first half a real disappointment only for the second-half to more than compensate with some cracking scores and textbook approach work.
Laboured
Both teams laboured to find some fluidity in their play in the opening half and the balance of play was fairly reflected in the 0-3 to 0-2 lead enjoyed by Lavey by the end of the opening quarter.
In perfect conditions save a slanting wind which favoured the amalgam in the first half, the play was concentrated between the respective 45s and thus lent a claustrophobic feel to proceedings.
There was little to separate either side in any of the departments but Lavey did look to carry a greater threat going forward all the same.
It was tentative stuff and both sides appeared to lack conviction and composure on the ball with the result that a raft of passes and shots at goal were left a lot to be desired.
The wholehearted endeavour and closeness of the scoring kept the interest alive though and some particularly fine points from the likes of Packie Leddy (Redbridge) and Shane Tierney (Lavey) served to add a welcome break from the mundane.
The game started off in suitably vibrant fashion with Lavey being particularly full of vim and vigour as they raced into a 0-3 to 0-0 lead after barely four minutes.
It could have been even better for the 'go-it-alone' club but a fine save by Gavin Canning from a Shane Tierney 'screamer' (4th min) and two narrow misses minutes later by Killian Conaty and Karl Duke - the latter's soccer-like effort coming back off the butt of the post.
Then in the 13th minute Shane Tierney did very well to collect the ball six metres from the Redbridge goal but his overhead effort rebouned off the junction of bar and post before being cleared and then Karl Duke fired in a shot which was batted down by Gavin Canning into the waiting hands of Patrick Flynn luckily enough for the chasing team.
Powered forward
Powered forward by midfiel-der Packie Leddy, Redbridge gradually found their feet though but Shane Conaty effected a great block to deny Hughie Reilly a shot at goal in the 17th minute after Reilly had been set up by Jeff Elliott.
The tempo of the game increased considerably in the second quarter but chances created in front of goal remained few and far between though.
Between the 21st and 27th minutes, the scores flowed like never before and it was Redbridge who benefited to the greater degree with Packie Leddy bagging an especially fine brace to help haul his side into a 0-5 to 0-4 interval lead.
Redbridge 'keeper Canning was twice called into action shortly after Shane Tierney (Lavey) had opened the second half scoring in the 33rd minute.
Lavey remained on the frontfoot as the second half gathered pace and Patrick Flynn had to tidy up under yet another high centre from Lavey as the amalgam came under renewed pressure at the back.
Redbridge eventually got off the ropes when Leddy carried the ball half the length of the pitch before firing over the black spot to put his side ahead by the odd point in eleven.
A point from 35 metres by Leddy in the 40th minute duly presented Redbridge with a two point lead for the first time in the match and, all of a sudden, Lavey appeared to play with some self-doubt.
Lavey's best forward Shane Tierney popped up though in timely fashion and when Christopher Conroy notched a carbon copy point in the 45th minute, the destination of the spoils was once again in the melting pot.
Rejuvenation
Lavey's Karl Duke added to his team's rejuvenation and with goalkeeper Finbar Smith and Aaron Smith rock solid at the back, Lavey once more had the look of winners as they sat pretty on the back of a 0-9 to 0-7 lead with 12 minutes to play.
Redbridge rolled up their sleeves but a fine save from Finbar Smith from a Stephen Mulvanney daisycutter hinted at prolonged Lavey joy.
That suggestion took on an added degree of credibility when Gerard Smith fired the ball to the net from an acute angle 23 minutes into the half to leave Redbridge facing into a 0-7 to 1-9 lead.
Decisive twist
The game took another decisive twist two minutes later when Fergal Flanagan combined with the hugely impressive Packie Leddy to allow the latter rifle the ball to the net, via a deflection, from 14 metres.
All credit to Lavey though, for they had one more sting in their tail which proved the deathknell of their gallant opponents.
Christopher Conroy's long-range free spelt danger and as it dipped under the bar, the ball richocheted off a defender's hands before nestling in the net.
Declan O'Callaghan had the last say for Redbridge with a point but it had consolation written all over it.
Lavey's players and fans couldn't wait to celebrate at the final whistle.
Teams and scorers
Lavey – Finbar Smith; Ronan Smith, Aaron Smith, Shane Conaty; Darren Monaghan, Gavin Lynch, Enda Brady; Karl Duke (0-2), Paul Crowe; Gabriel Sheridan, Christopher Conroy (1-3), Shane McGonagle (0-1); Gerard Smith (1-0), Shane Tierney (0-4), Killian Conaty.
Subs – Gareth Tierney for Killian Conaty; James Cunningham for Shane McGonagle.
Redbridge – Gavin Canning; Gerard Thompson, Martin Walsh, Patrick Flynn; Turloc Mooney, Martin Brady, Pauric O'Reilly; Packie Leddy (1-6, three frees), Declan O'Callaghan (0-1); Niall McCaffrey, Fergal Flanagan (1-0), Shane Jenkins; Jeff Elliott, Hughie Reilly, Cahir Reilly (0-1).
Subs – Peter Conaty for Shane Jenkins
Referee – James Clarke from Killinkere.