Grange see off Clyda Rovers in County Junior ‘B’ qualifier

Grange 1-7 Clyda Rovers 0-8

IN tough conditions Grange held out for a close win over Clyda Rovers in the qualifier at Castletownroche on Sunday evening.

The cross wind made for a low scoring contest. Rovers had the aid of the wind in the opening half. They took the lead through a Tim Buckley point in the second minute. Brian Cashman with a pointed free forced level in the fourth minute.

The only goal of the game came two minutes later when John Carmody finished off a four man attack. It gave Grange a vital edge. The winners followed with rapid points by Darragh Scott and Mark Kenny as they moved 1-3 to 0-1 ahead.

Adam Walsh pointed a Rovers free. In the 17th minute good play by Michael Hennessy and Niall McCarthy led to a well taken point by David Keating. Conor Crowley kept Clyda in touch with a pointed free.

In the 20th minute Conor Crowley with another free left just a goal between the sides. Good play for Grange by Kevin Murphy led to a great David Keating point as the winners moved 1-5 to 0-4 clear. There were no further scores in the first half with both defences very solid.

On the resumption the opening 11 minutes went without a score. Good play by Tim Buckley led to a fine Adam Walsh point. Both sides made some changes. The next score came in the 49th minute when Conor Crowley added another pointed free.

The Mourneabbey side came within the minimum in the 5lst minute when Garret O’Hanlon and Conor Crowley worked very well for Kyle Crowley who pointed 1-5 to 0-7.

The best score of the evening came in the 53rd minute when John Carmody soloed through from midfield and kicked a great point. Conor Crowley with two late pointed frees closed the gap to two points.

Time ran out and it was Grange who emerged winners and they will now face Glengarriff in the Co quarter final this Saturday at a venue to be decided.

GRANGE: Noel Cashman, Padraigh Howard, Kevin Murphy, Brian Cashman 0-1f. Trevor Hynes, Michael Hennessy, Darragh Scott 0-1, Devon Roche, Brian Garry, Colin Scott, Noel Barry 0-1f. John Carmody 1-1, Mark Kenny 0-1, David Keating 0-2, Niall McCarthy. Subs: Conor O’Halloran for Brian Garry (inj) Darren Roche for David Keating, David Keating for Niall McCarthy

CLYDA ROVERS: E Sheehan, S O’Connor, C Greene, E Doherty, D Fitzpatrick, G Carey, P Forde, K Crowley 0-1, C O’Connell, J Phelan, C Crowley 0-4f. A Walsh 0-2 (0-1f) D O’Sullivan, T Buckley 0-1, C Roche. Subs: G O’Hanlon for S O’Connor (inj) M McEntee for D O’Sullivan (black card) D Flanagan for C O’Connell, M O’Sullivan for J Phelan (inj) S Madden for C Roche

REFEREE: Justin Murphy (Castletownroche)