Roche show their mettle to clinch Divison 2 title
ROCHE EMMETS MATTOCK \ H’TOWN 4-6 3-8
ROCHE U16s claimed The Argus U-16 Division 2 league title by the narrowest of margins with a onepoint win over Mattock\Hunterstown on Monday night in Darver.
The game, played in great spirit, produced an evenly matched first half as Roche got their noses in front at the break, 1-3 to 0-5.
Adam Fee netted the goal, Glen Stewart kicked two points and his midfield partner Adam McKay also weighed in with a score.
The Roche half forward line of James McArdle, Gerard Browne and Fintan Watters caused all sorts of problems with their attacking runs and link up play, while the full forward line of Scott Carthy (Mark Byrne), Adam Fee and Mikey McCourt were all dangerous.
The second half saw both teams up the intensity and the game was played out at a frantic pace with no quarter given by either side.
It was Roche who started the second half that bit stronger and after 10 minutes they had raced into a nine-point lead with goals from Stewart, Fee and Browne, two of which were setup by corner forward McCourt.
However, Mattock\Hunterstown were far from beaten and rallied well with a couple of quickfire goals to put just three points between the sides.
They started to put real pressure on the Roche defence which managed to hold out with some excellent saves from goalkeeper Josh Rice Martin and resolute defending by a full back line of Peter Lynch, Sean Dawe and Liam O’Donnell.
Both sides then traded points with Roche’s coming from Stewart, Fee and Mark Byrne, another goal by Mattock\Hunterstown left just two points between the teams going into injury time.
The Roche half back line marshalled by the excellent James McDonnell in the centre flanked by Aidan Grant and Devan Callan defended with gusto and supported by the tireless working midfield duo of Stewart and McKay kept the combination attack at bay.
There was just the bare minimum between the sides when referee Des McDonnell blew the final whistle much to the joy of the Roche lads and their supporters.
Other players to contribute and play during an excellent league campaign were Aaron Ralph, Brogan Kelly, Matthew Greene, Dylan Keenan, Jack McKay, Dara Reilly and Killian Carroll.
ROCHE: Josh Rice Martin, Peter Lynch , Sean Dawe, Liam O’Donnell, Aidan Grant, James McDonnell Devin Callan, Glen Stewart 1-3, Adam McKay 0-1, James McArdle, Gerard Browne 1-0, Fintan Watters, Scott Carthy, Adam Fee 2-1, Mikey McCourt, Mark Byrne 0-1, Aran Ralph, Jack McKay Killian Carroll, Dara Reilly Brogan Kelly, Dylan Keenan, Matthew Greene.