Grange win Division 2 League title

Grange 1-10 Liscarroll/Churchtown Gaels 1-7

GRANGE and Liscarroll/ Churchtown Gaels played out a keenly contested Cavanagh’s Fermoy Division 2 FL final replay at Kildorrery. Heavy rain for most of the game made conditions rather difficult.

Both sides missed a few chances in the opening six minutes. Sean Murphy opened the scoring for Gaels. Good play by Noel Barry led to a fine Alan McNamara point. Aidan Murphy kicked three long range pointed frees. Grange had a pointed free in the 19th minute by Kurt Wheeler. Noel Barry landed a Grange point. In the closing moments a foul on Colin Scott led to a brilliant pointed free by Kurt Wheeler with an injury time pointed free gave Grange an interval lead 0-5 to 0-4.

On the resumption John Breen placed Aidan Murphy for a great goal. In the 36th minute Shane Coleman cut through the Grange defence by was denied by a great save by Noel Cashman, the rebound came to John Breen who pointed. Grange forced level in the 38th minute when John Carmody worked well for Noel Barry who goaled 1-5 each. Good play by Michael Hennessy to Kurt Wheeler led to a very good point by Colin Scott. Gaels were wide from a free but they forced level in the 48th minute when Aidan Murphy pointed a free following a foul on John Breen. The momentum was with Gaels at this stage. They missed a few chances but took the lead again in the 53rd minute when Aidan Murphy pointed a free. Kurt Wheeler levelled a minute later 1-7 each.

Extra-time looked very likely. However it was Grange who finished very well. Their defence held firm and points by David Keating and Alan McNamara helped them to a three-point lead. Gaels in one last ditch effort to force extra time had an attack by Aidan Murphy well saved by Noel Cashman. Grange held out for victory and their first ever Div 2 FL title. After the game Barry Aherne presented the cup to the winning captain Darren Roche with Kurt Wheeler being named ‘man of the match’.

GRANGE: N Cashman, J Roche, K Murphy, Darren Roche, J Carmody, M Hennessy, R Fraher, Devon Roche, P Stapleton, N McCarthy, A Deegan, K Wheeler 0-4 (3f), C Scott 0-1, A McNamara 0-2, N Barry 1-2. D Keating 0-1 for Devon Roche (black card), J O’Gorman for C Scott.