Craanford claim county title
Bradley pointed from just inside the ‘45 in the 22nd minute but Craanford were level after points from Lyons and James O’Loughlin.
Connors gave his side what would prove to be their final lead, three minutes before the break, but Calvin O’Toole ensured the sides went in at the break deadlocked (0-7 to 1-4).
Bob Flynn flashed a waist-high ball wide shortly after the re-start but his side went ahead for the first time in the 34th minute when Lyons pointed his third free. Connors immediately replied but that was the final time that Adamstown gained parity.
While they began to edge away, with scores from Lyons, Gary Keating and James O’Loughlin, it was far from easy for Craanford. Adamstown battled hard in defence but became indisciplined as wave after wave of attack came their way.
With 13 minutes remaining John Connors won a free 25 metres from goal. With the way the game was going, it was no surprise that the Adamstown full-forward went low with his dead-ball but Craanford saved and scrambled it to safety.
James O’Loughlin, who was inspirational for the victors, scored three consecutive frees to increase the lead to six (0-14 to 1-5) as the game headed into the last few moments. With the full-time whistle only moments away, Adamstown won a late free, just inside their opponents’ half.
It was dropped in by Ian Stafford and batted out by Craanford, but only as far as Shane Bradley and he drilled home his second goal.
It mattered little to the final result though as referee Kevin Kehoe blew the full-time whistle once Craanford won the resulting puckout to began joyous celebrations for the champs and their loyal supporters.