Glenbeigh/Glencar claim Munster crown

MUNSTER CLUB JUNIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL Glenbeigh/Glencar 2-16 Gabriel Rangers 0-10

GLENBEIGH/GLENCAR are the Munster Junior Football Champions after a comprehensive 12-point victory over Cork champions Gabriel Rangers in bitterly cold, but dry, Mallow last Sunday. The Mid Kerry side were full value for their historic win and were deserving winners over a spirited but limited challenge from their West Cork counterparts.

The Glenbeigh/Glencar team was sharper and faster than their opponents and the industrious play of Colin McGillicuddy and Fergal Griffin at midfield allied to the probings of Darran O’Sullivan at centre half forward ensured a plentiful supply of ball into their dangerous forwards.

The most dangerous of all, and not for the first time, was the mercurial Gavan O’Grady, and the sharpshooting full forward helped himself to seven superb points as well as numerous scoring assists throughout the game.

Gabriel Rangers were possibly a bit naive at times in their marking strategy of O’Grady, leaving him in one on one situations with the defender on occasions, and he duly punished their foolishness with a top drawer performance.

Glenbeigh/Glencar started brightly and were 0-6 to 0-3 up after 17 minutes of the contest with O’Grady helping himself to four points in this period along with one each from Tommy Cahill (free) and Caolim Teahan, with Gabriel Rangers replying through Gerard O’Callaghan and Mark Cronin.

The Mid Kerry men were playing a nice brand of patient, skilful football with support runners helping the man on the ball at all times, while their ability to get vital blocks in defence frustrated their opponents.

A good passing move in the 18th minute involving Danny O’Sullivan and Kieran Courtney saw Tommy Cahill put Kerry minor Caolim Teahan through for superb goal, which was followed a minute later by a point from Cahill himself, to push Glenbeigh/Glencar 1-7 to 0-3 ahead with 21 minutes gone on the stopwatch.

Although Glenbeigh/Glencar looked in firm control of the game, Gabriel Rangers did cause trouble at times when they ran at their defence. Indeed the West Cork’s sides supporters felt that they had a genuine shout for a penalty when Mark Cronins’s jersey appeared to be pulled when shooting at goal after 25 minutes, but the referee waved play on as the ball went harmlessly wide.

Two minutes later Darran O’Sullivan passed inside to Kieran Courtney to score his sides second goal and really one couldn’t see any way back for the Gabriel Rangers men. They did manage a point from a Mark Cronin free just before the half time whistle to leave the score reading Glenbeigh/ Glencar 2-7 Gabriel Rangers 0-5 at the break.

Glenbeigh/Glencar left Gabriel Rangers waiting a few minutes before they re appeared in the second half, and whether this was a tactic or not it certainly worked as they quickly put over 4 on the bounce from O’Grady(2) and 2 more from impressive wing forward Tommy Cahill.

Gabriel Rangers midfielder Stephen O’Mahony began to win some primary possession at midfield and his probing led to points from Mark Cronin (free) and Chris Moynihan as the game grew increasingly scrappy.

Tommy Cahill (2) as well as substitutes Bernard Murphy and Padraig Griffin added points for Glenbeigh/Glencar with the sole Gabriel Rangers reply coming from Cronin and Sean Kelleher to keep the scoreboard looking respectable.

Fittingly, it was left to Gavan O’Grady to put over the last score of the game from a free at the final whistle, as Glenbeigh/ Glencar were deserving winners and Munster Junior Football Champions for 2016.

Mayo and Connacht champions Louisburgh await the Glenbeigh/Glencar men in the All Ireland semi final on Saturday, January 28.

GLENBEIGH/GLENCAR: Rory O’Connor, Sean Roche, Jeremiah Hoare, Ciaran Doyle, Jack Brosnan, Pa Kilkenny, Stephen O’Sullivan, Colin McGillicuddy, Fergal Griffin, Danny O’Sullivan, Darran O’Sullivan, Tommy Cahill (0-6, 4f), Kieran Courtney (1-0), Gavan O’Grady (0-7, 1f), Caolim Teahan (1-1). Subs: Daniel Griffin for J Brosnan (38th min), Vincent Hoare for S Roche (42), Bernard Murphy (0-1) for Danny O’Sullivan (49), Padraig Griffin (0-1) for Darran O’Sullivan (51), Calvin Teahan for K Courtney (56).

GABRIEL RANGERS: Darren O’Mahony, Kieran O’Callaghan, Cathal Newman, Jason Donegan, Gerard O’Callaghan, Richard Moynihan, Liam Hegarty, Donal O’Sullivan, Stephen O’Mahony, Fionn Hurley, Chris Moynihan, Eric O’Brien, Mark Cronin, Eddie Goggin, Sean Kelleher. Subs: Sean Evans for O’Brien (30 mins), Ronan Roycroft for Hegarty (b/c, 40), David Roycroft for Donegan (56), Wayne Cronin for Hurley (62).

REFEREE: Sean Lonergan (Tipperary)