Enniscrone/ Kilglass win Abbott Cup

TOURLESTRANE ENNISCRONE/KILGLASS 1-4 0-9

ENNISCRONE/KILGLASS ended 2017 on a positive note after they claimed the Abbott Cup title with a two-point win over Tourlestrane last Saturday afternoon.

The last club fixture of 2017, the game was played at Tourlestrane after they won a toss to decide the venue. In a highly competitive encounter, the sides were level as the game entered the final five minutes before points from Donal Mullaney and Michael Moyles ensured the title would be heading to west Sligo. Despite the fact that they had been out of action for three months, the winners dominated possession and deserved to win out, though Tourlestrane looked set to finish strongly after Rian Kennedy netted midway through the second half. At the conclusion of the opening half, Enniscrone/Kilglass led 0-4 to 0-3 with Brian Coleman and Shane Hargadon among their first half scorers.

Tourlestrane kept in touch with Rian Kennedy pointing a couple of frees, and the home side also had a decent goal chance after 20 minutes but failed to convert. In a tight second half, neither side managed to add to their half-time tally until Rian Kennedy put Tourlestrane in front with a well-taken goal after a good team move 12 minutes from time.

Enniscrone/Kilglass responded with a couple of points to level matters at 1-3 to 0-6 with eight minutes to play, but Barry Kirrane put Tourlestrane back in front with a good score.

To their credit, Enniscrone/Kilglass finished the game strongly to claim the title, with Tom Mahon firing over the equaliser before Donal Mullaney and Michael Moyles kicked a point apiece from range to claim the title. It is the seasiders second success of the year, having claimed the Division Three league title in August. ENNISCRONE/KILGLASS: Mark O’Hara; Josh Ellis, Cathal Mullaney, Michael John Crean; Eoghan Bourke, Keith Carden, Kevin Cawley; Donal Mullaney, Brian Coleman; Mark Caffrey, Mark Gordon, Tom Mahon; Brandon Fitzgerald, John Paul Carden, Shane Hargadon. Subs used: Michael Moyles TOURLESTRANE: Adam Broe; Shane Neary, Martin Carr, Niall Durkin; Sean McVeigh, Barry Kirrane, Jon Durkin; John Paul Lang, Ciaran Walsh; Alan Bowens, Shane Dunne, Alan Dunne; Rian Bailey, Rian Kennedy, Enda Kelly. REFEREE: Ciaran McGovern.