Silverware for Crosserlough in Reserve final

ACFL Reserve Division 1 final

Crosserlough 2-10

Kingscourt Stars 1-7

An unanswered 1-2 tally inside the opening five minutes of the second half provided the springboard for Crosserlough to leap into the winner’s enclosure after an evenly-contested ACFL Division One Reserve final at Mullagh on Friday evening last.

Kingscourt fought the good fight and bolstered by a five-star showing by Micheál Gargan looked comfortable leading early on but after losing their way somewhat in the second quarter, they were hit by a fatal blow on the restart.

Crosserlough were good value for their victory though and, like every good champions, they met steel with steel; notably by replying to Gargan’s initial flurry of points by bagging their opening goal after just six minutes.

Gargan hit the opening three points for the Stars but, crucially, those scores straddled a major notched by Oran Rehill in the 6th minute which left his side leading by 1-1 to 0-2. It was a lead that Kingscourt never managed to overhaul despite a gutsy and wholehearted effort.

Gargan’s third point left the minimum between the sides but Crosserlough always seemed able to step on the gas and put clear water between them and their opponents and, on cue, the black and ambers arrowed over three points without reply between the 9th and 23rd minutes with messrs. Darren Gaffney, goalscorer Rehill and Eoin Malocca on target.

Kingscourt never looked like being cut adrift but they had to work hard to hang in there and a point (28) by Ryan Carey preceded a neat effort by Darren Gaffney which concluded the first half scoring.

Crosserlough were well placed at half-time to get their hands on the silverware with a 1-6 to 0-4 cushioned lead a major crutch to them but even better leverage was to be gained within a few short minutes of the commencement of the second half.

Kingscourt needed to test Crosserlough’s resolve as quickly as possible after the restart but, instead, the would-be winners showed their mettle by grabbing a second goal with Shane McManus finding the Stars’ net – after a great pass from Kieran Smith - in the 33rd minute.

Going for the kill, the Kilnaleck-based side kept their foot on Kingscourt’s throat with follow-up points from Micheál Donohoe and Oran Rehill (35) which left the Stars facing into a 0-4 to 2-8 deficit.

The impressive John McCullagh kept the scoreboard ticking over for the chasing team as the scores suddenly ran dry for the long-time leaders who, in reality, always looked like they had the capability to keep their opponents at arms’ length.

The Stars kept their side of the bargain though in what was a good contest and McCullagh landed 1-3 without reply between the 43rd and 56th minutes to keep his side’s albeit slim hopes alive.

Crosserlough had the look of winners though from a long way out and it was fitting that they had the last word with goalscorer Rehill adding to his personal tally by slotting over the final point of the evening deep into added-on time at the end of the game.

Crosserlough: Thomas Byrd: Ben Colwell, Ronan Harten, Damien Lynch; Diarmuid Lee, Shane McManus (1-1), Eoin Malocca (0-1); Kieran Smith, Darren Gaffney (0-2), Cian Harten, Oran Rehill (1-4), Padraig Shalvey; Adrian Smith, Michael Donohoe (0-2), Micheál Corr.

Subs; Harry Boylan for M Corr; Fionn Lovett for D Lee; Colin Lynch for D Gaffney; Tommy Boylan for A Smith; Karl Lynch for C Harten.

Kingscourt Stars: Tom Martin; Michael Pienarr, Paddy Farrelly, Cathal McKeown; Ryan Carolan, Tom Tully, Kyle Ramsay; Terry Reilly, John McCullagh (1-3); Oisin Cunningham, Ryan Carey (0-1), Ciaran Dermody; Jamie Rooney, Mícheál Gargan (0-3) James McKeon.

Subs: Shane Gray for P Power; Ryan Carolan for K Ramsay; Damien McCormack for O Cunningham; Louie O’Malley for R Carey; Noah McCormack for J McKeown.