Grange see off Goleen to seal final berth

THE overall balance team work, and skill of Grange proved decisive as they had a close win over Goleen in the semi-final at Newcestown on Friday evening.

Goleen got the perfect start with the aid of the slight breeze. A foul on David O’Farrell led to an opening pointed free by Patrick Scully. Further pressure led to two fouls that Tadhg Cullinane converted. Grange opened with a Darragh Scott point in the ninth minute.

Exchanges were very keenly contested for the rest of the half. Defences were very solid with Kevin Murphy outstanding for the winners while Goleen full back Daniel O’Driscoll was also in great form.

Goleen added two more points by Tadhg Cullinane from play and a free as they led 0-5 to 0-1 after 18 minutes. In the 25th minute David Keating pointed with Colin Scott and Keating combining well for Kurt Wheeler who pointed just before the break closing the gap to two points at the interval 0-5 to 0-3.

Grange improved greatly on the resumption. They introduced Alan McNamara who was in great form. The Avondhu side got on top in vital sectors and their short passing at speed proved very effective.

Kurt Wheeler pointed early on with the same player and John Carmody involved in putting Colin Scott in for a goal. Goleen were denied a goal at the other end when Darren O’Donovan and Patrick Scully worked a good movement with O’Donovan taking the return pass only for his effort at goal from close range going wide off the upright.

Tadhg Cullinane pointed another free 1-4 to 0-6. Daniel O’Driscoll made some good attacks but overall the Carbery side lacked scoring power. Grange forced a free when Kurt Wheeler was fouled over 60 yards out.

Wheeler kicked a massive pointed free. Good play for Goleen by Darren O’Donovan led to a great point by Shane O’Leary. At the end of the third quarter Alan McNamara was fouled and Wheeler kicked another massive pointed free.

The same players followed with another pointed free from a bit closer as Grange moved 1-7 to 0- 7 clear. Goleen piled on the pressure but the Grange defence held firm. Kevin Murphy and Mick Hennessy made some great clearances with the winners wing backs of Darren and Devon Roche also very effective.

Darren O’Donovan and Tadhg Cullinane (free) cut the lead to a point by the 50th minute. A well placed kick out by Noel Cashman found Kevin Murphy who offloaled to Michael Hennessy, Hennessy survived three tackles and found Niall McCarthy who placed Colin Scott for a decisive point.

Grange had their last score in the 53rd minute when Colin Scott was fouled and Kurt Wheeler restored the goal lead 1-9 to 0- 9. Grange lost Colin Scott and John Carmody to black cards in the closing moments.

Goleen tried very hard for a goal. In the 60th minute a quickly taken free by James Scully found John Cullinane whose effort went just over the bar when a goal would have levelled and probably sent the game to a replay.

In injury time Grange defence held firm and they emerged close winners in the end.

GRANGE: N Cashman, J Roche, K Murphy, B Cashman, Devon Roche, M Hennessy, Darren Roche, A Deegan, P Stapleton, D Scott 0-1 C Scott 1-1, K Wheeler 0- 6 (0-4f) J Carmody, D Keating 0-1, N McCarthy Subs: R Fraher for D Scott (inj) A McNamara for P Stapleton, J O’Gorman for J Carmody (black card) D Clancy for C Scott (black card)

GOLEEN: R Kennedy, J Little, D O’Driscoll, D O’Callaghan, A Murphy, J Scully, P Reidy, D O’Leary, D O’Donovan 0-1, S Sheehan, T Cullinane 0-6 (0-5f), S O’Leary 0-1, J Whittey, P Scully 0-1, D O’Farrell Subs: T Fitzgerald for A Murphy, J Cullinane 0-1 for J Whittey, K O’Driscoll for J Little, K Sheehan for D O’Leary.

REFEREE: David Whyte (St Marys)