Thatch C raise roof after final triumph
THATCH C DROGHEDA GRENNANS DROGHEDA 5 3
THATCH C’s remarkable rise continued as they followed up last year’s Division 3 League triumph with another success to earn promotion to Division 1 for 2018/19.
They had finished top of their league in the regular season and took on a Grennans side who had come second and subsequently qualified by winning a semi-final match.
The decider was played in front of a very good crowd in the Morning Star, Tullyallen, and Thatch got off to the best start when Conor Campbell defeated Shane Collier 2-1 in a tight opening game.
Grennans fought back, though, and atwo quick successive victories for John Donnelly and Pierce Connor put them in the driving seat.
Thatch reacted brilliantly, rattling off three successive victories of their own through Jack Hoey, Adam Dyas, and Paul Maguire to reclaim the lead heading into the final stages.
Matthew Burke gave Grennans some hope when defeating Josh Campbell 2-1 in a tense seventh game, to make it 4-3 overall, but in the final game Gary Saddler just came out on top against Noel Dyas to secure the Division 2 title for Thatch C.
Afterwards, members of the League committee made various presentations to both teams. Thatch, as winners, received the perpetual trophy, individual team trophies and a cash prize, while Grennans were presented with their team plaque, team medals and cash prize also. The Man of the Match award went to Jack Hoey of Thatch.
The League Committee would like to thank management, staff, and club members of the Morning Star for all their help and assistance with this final.
THATCH: Conor Campbell, Sam Henry, Aran Henry, Adam Dyas, Jack Hoey, Patrick Maguire, Josh Campbell, Gary Saddler, Damian Wogan, Kieran Mc Loughlin.
GRENNANS: Shane Collier, John Donnelly, Pierce Connor, Alan O Rourke, Kieran Benton, Stephen Hodgins, Matthew Burke, Noel Dyas , Martin Russell, Mark Taaffe.
CALLER: John Andrews; Marker: John Hethrington.