A look back on the 2021 season

As another year draws to a close we take a look back on the 2021 football season. A year that was once again heavily affected by Covid but thankfully we still managed to see plenty of action.

A covid-delayed start to the season meant we only returned to collective training in mid-May. In fairness the players had put a lot of work in to keeping themselves fit in the off season and so we looked forward to another season of division 1 league football and junior A championship.

A truncated league programme saw us open our campaign with a heavy loss to Charleville who were preparing for the delayed 2020 championship final. We followed that up with a very competitive outing versus Fermoy. While we again came up short there were plenty of positives to take from the game where our opponents fielded some players who would play senior football later in the summer.

In preparation for the championship we also had very useful challenge games v St Catherines, Shanballymore and Glanworth. These games provided valuable game time to both new members of the squad alongside more experienced campaigners.

The junior A championship saw us in a tough group with Killavullen, Clyda Rovers and Kilshannig. Our opening game saw us beaten by Killavullen but there were some excellent individual performances on the night and we battled to the very end. Next up was a very strong Clyda Rovers team fielding many players who would go on to play senior championship just weeks later. After a very competitive first half we were right in the game but Clyda got a few crucial scores in the 3rd quarter to open a bit of gap while we also lost a couple of players with injury in that period. Still every player fought to the bitter end and the game finished with a memorable Grange goal at the death.

Our final game saw us pitted against Kilshannig. While neither team could advance in the championship, both teams applied themselves 100% in a very competitive encounter played in tough conditions. In a game that ebbed and flowed with the lead changing hands on many occasions in was the Grange lads who dug deepest to find the vital scores and record the clubs first championship victory at junior A level in over thirty years. This result was just reward for the huge effort put in by the players and management all year and it was great to finish the year on a high.

It was great to see some new players join the squad this year and new members are always welcome, while it is also great to see familiar faces putting great time and effort in to the club.

Thanks to all players, management, club officers and supporters for their contribution throughout the season.

We now look forward to the 2022 campaign. Stay safe and have a very happy and healthy Christmas and New Year.