Nemo Rangers retain their AOS Security Seandún Junior Football League 4 title with a win over White's cross
This game was dictated by the wind as White’s Cross, who had the elements in their favour in the opening half, scored four unanswered points in the second quarter.
Nemo Rangers 0-12 White’s Cross 1-8
Defending champions Nemo Rangers retained the AOS Security Seandún Junior Football League 4 title as they defeated White’s Cross in the decider at Ballinlough.
This game was dictated by the wind as White’s Cross, who had the elements in their favour in the opening half, scored four unanswered points in the second quarter.
The tide turned in Nemo Rangers’ favour in the second half as they restricted White’s Cross to 1-1 after the break.
Two points for Nemo Rangers in stoppage time were to prove decisive.
In an evenly contested opening quarter, Nemo Rangers’ Jerry Kerins, Colm Kerins and Dylan Mehigan traded points from play with Robert Doherty and Sean Delaney of White’s Cross. Luke Kelleher levelled matters as he converted the game’s first free.
Jerry Kerins put Nemo Rangers back in the lead with a point from play, before White’s Cross took a grip on proceedings.
White’s Cross had the Trabeg side pinned back as they scored four unanswered points, including Kelleher’s second free, to open up a three-point gap.
Kerins responded with Nemo Rangers’ only pointed free on the stroke of half time.
This left the half-time scoreline reading 0-7 to 0-5 in favour of White’s Cross.
Nemo Rangers had White’s Cross on the back foot from the resumption, but wayward shooting was proving to be costly.
In the 39th minute, White’s Cross opened up a five-point lead as Sean Delaney drilled home the game’s only goal from the corner of the Nemo Rangers square.
Nemo Rangers drew level with five unanswered points, before Edwin Buckley put White’s Cross back in the driving seat with a pointed free.
With extra time looming, the Trabeg side had White’s Cross back on the defensive.
Wayward kick-outs were proving to be costly as Colm Kerins levelled matters with a point from play and this was followed by Neil O’Sullivan’s last gasp winner.
Scorers for Nemo Rangers: J Kerins 0-4 (0-1f); C Kerins 0-3; Dylan Mehigan, D Cronin, E Weldon, B Twomey, N O’Sullivan 0-1 each.
White’s Cross: R Healy 1-0; L Kelleher 0-2f; E Buckley 0-2 (0-1f); S Delaney 0-2; S Whooley, R Doherty 0-1 each.
Nemo Rangers: B McNally; Darragh Mehigan, N Weldon, R Hochsteller; D Cronin, C O’Shea, P Hogan; E Weldon, J O’Keeffe; Dylan Mehigan, B Twomey, S Marshall; C Kerins, J Kerins, D Dalton.
Subs: J Collins for Darragh Mehigan (8), B O’Regan for Dalton (39), N O’Sullivan for J Kerins (47, inj).
White’s Cross: R Teehan; L Murphy, D O’Sullivan, R Sherlock; S Twomey, F O’Connell, S Whooley; R Doherty, C Quinlan; B Quain, L Kelleher, P Harrington; F Quinlan, S Delaney, E Buckley.
Subs: R Healy for F Quinlan (h/t), R Quain for O’Sullivan (43), B O’Riordan for O’Connell (47, inj), S Buckley for Kelleher (60+).
Referee: Cathal Nolan (Bishopstown).