ESB All Ireland Minor Hurling & Football Finals 2006

Roscommon bridged a 55- year gap when they had four points to spare over Kerry in the replay of the ESB All Ireland Minor Football Final on Saturday September 23rd in Ennis.

A week earlier both teams played out a tremendous and exciting draw in Croke Park. Kerry looked certain to lift the cup as the game ticked into the 3rd minute of injury time, leading by a point, however up popped Roscommon corner forward David O'Gara to pouncing on a loose ball and stroking over the equalising point.

ESB's highly successful sponsorship of the All Ireland Minor Championships continued for another week , and it took a little longer before Roscommon joined hurling champions Tipperary atop the roll of honour 2006.

The boys from the Premier County had upset most pre-match predictions recording a convincing 2-18 to 2-07 win over Galway in the hurling decider. Tribesmen captain Joe Canning failed to achieve his 3rd All Ireland minor hurling medal.

Some wasteful shooting meant that Tipp only lead by a goal at half time and had Canning been able to convert either of two half-chances just before the interval, then it could have been even tighter.

On the resumption Tipperary were quickly into their stride and seemed to be able to score at will. Corner forwards Patrick Bourke and Timmy Dalton were the pick of the crop as they weighed in with a combined 2-10, with some exquisite scores.

There was no doubting the merit of the Tipperary win, after captain Joey McLoughney lifted the cup. ESB Chief Executive Padraig McManus presented the "Man-of-the-Match" award to Bourke.

The football final, one of the best games played in Croke Park in recent years, will be remembered as much for the lineage of some of the combatants as for the quality of the scoring. Kerry legends Sean Walsh and "Ogie" Moran were proud onlookers as their sons Tommy and David played central roles in the Kingdom's performance while Eoin Kennedy the son of manager John Kennedy lined out at left corner forward.

Roscommon hero David O'Gara's dad is none other than John O'Gara, a member of the Roscommon team that came agonisingly close themselves to All Ireland glory in the 70's and 80's. The first half will be remembered as the 'Tommy Walsh Show' as the tall midfielder gave a majestic display of fielding while Kerry surged into a 0-8 to 0-3 lead after 20 minutes.

A couple of "fire-fighting" substitutes by Roscommon manager Fergal O'Donnell galvanised the Westerners reducing the gap to a single point by half time.

Roscommon grabbed the initiative on the resumption scoring four points on the trot with wing forward Donal Shine leading the way. Kerry steadied the ship to draw level as full forward Curran and Walsh dovetailed perfectly to lead the revival.

Walsh and Roscommon corner forward Conor Devaney exchanged points with about 10 minutes to go in front of a by-now full house gripped by the mesmeric battle unfolding. Curran with a left footed effort and Shine with a free from beyond the "45" tied affairs at 13 points each as the game entered the final minute.

A 13-metre free to Roscommon and Devaney coolly tapped the ball over the bar for the large crowd from the Shannon-side County to entertain thoughts of victory. Their joy was short lived as Moran quickly equalised with a beautifully struck point from the right.

Roscommon goalkeeper Mark Miley then scuffed his hastily taken kick out straight to Curran who shook off the desperation tackles of two defenders to slot what looked like the match-winning point.

Not to be as, O'Gara, gathered a breaking ball from Shine "45", turned and bought some space to coolly stoke over the equalising point and complete the final saga in what was a truly outstanding game.

The Kerry captain was rewarded with the "Man-of-the-Match" for his terrific performance.

The replay was another tight affair and only a Trojan final quarter effort by Roscommon put away Kerry as they triumphed by 1-10 to 0-9.

Again O'Gara who provided the key score when he toe-poked to the Kingdom net, a minute into the second half following Kerry goalie Tomás Mac an Tsaoir's failure to deal with a Devaney free.

Tight defences led to a low scoring first half that resulted in Kerry leading 0-5 to 0-4 at the interval. Despite the concession of that second period goal the Kingdom youngsters fought back to lead 0-9 to 1-5 midway through the half.

Roscommon, who had dominated possession and territory throughout the hour, hit a purple patch in the final quarter as they scored five points without reply to deservedly win