High flying Ferbane/Belmont capture another county title.

 

Ferbane/Belmont ................2-5

CRC Gaels…………………..1-3

 

SCORERS;

Ferbane/Belmont: Colin Kenny (1-2), Anthony Seery (.1-0),

Kevin Nugent (0-2), Mark Connaughton (0-1)

CRC Gaels: Conor Freeman (0-3) Ger Hutchinson (1-0).

W1DES: Ferbane 6; CRC Gaels 8.                                                ;

CARDS: Yellow (1): Aaron Dolan Red: None.

 

Fiona McKeown reports

 

ON what was one of the nicest days we've seen so far this year, the U-12 'B' hurling final got under way in perfect conditions at Rath last Saturday arid Ferbane/Belmont captured the spoils following a see-saw battle with CRC Gaels. The win completed an U-12 double for high flying Ferbane/Belmont as the previous week they won the U-12 'A’ Football decider defeating St Vincent's by 2-7 to 1-5, and they also won the U-10 'A' Football competition final beating the same opposition. Ferbane/ Belmont are also in both the U-14 'A' hurling and football finals, and the U-10 'B' hurling final. Ferbane/Belmont opened the scoring four minutes into the game as a Colin Kenny free found the back of the net. CRC Gaels were unlucky not to score in the next couple of minutes as Conor Freeman had two great chances to deliver a point however both times he was unlucky to put them wide. Ten minutes into the game CRC finally got a point on the scoreboard with a lovely point by Conor Freeman. Conor had an absolute stormer of a game and was the only CRC player to raise a white flag. Ferbane/Belmont replied with a point of their own, compliments of Kevin Nugent. Within the next minute CRC found the back of the net with a beautifully struck goal by Ger Hutchinson. The game was very much in the melting pot at this stage.

Ferbane/Belmont defender Mark Conn­aughton took the puck out following the CRC point and from the edge of his own 'small square' he scored a point at the other end. It was a fantastic point. An Anthony Seery goal put Ferbane/Belmont in front in the run up to half time. However CRC showed their determination when the efforts of Conor Freeman again paid off and he put over a great point before the half time whistle sounded. Dean Hogan was unlucky not to open the scoring of the second half when a great long range effort at a point just went wide. Within seconds of this effort, his team mate and Ferbane/Belmont goalie Conor Mannion came under pressure and he produced an excellent save to keep his team out of trouble. The next couple of minutes saw real determination and skill from both sides as they battled hard in every area of the pitch. Conor Freeman worked extremely well in his position creating many chances, winning many breaking balls and running great distances the length of the pitch.

Aaron Dolan also did a great job in the CRC rearguard, breaking down many solo runs and blocking with great skill. It was not until he 15th minute of the second half that there was another score when Colin Kenny of Ferbane/Belmont slotted over a great point. The second half was an extremely low scoring affair with only one more point to follow for Ferbane/Belmont. The low scoring showed the deter­mination of the defence on both sides as neither side showed any signs of resignation. The play was hard and fast and stayed this way until the final whistle sounded. Both teams kept pushing forward and it was a very close game however CRC were unable to manage any scores in the second half and Ferbane/ Belmont became the title winners in the end.

 

FERBANE/BELMONT: Conor Mannion, Dylan Flannery, Mark Connaughton, Niall Higgins, Jack Egan, Michael O'Shea, Colin Kenny, Mikey Butler, Kevin Nugent, Dean Hogan, Anthony Seery, Jack Clancy, Oisin Kelly. Subs: Roisin Egan for M O'Shea (39 mins), Eoin Egan for J Clancy (43 mins), Conor Kenny for A Seery (46 mins).

 

CRC GAELS: Daniel O'Meara, Laura Hogan, Joseph King, Rachel Brennan, Aaron Dolan, Odhran Kelly, Aishling Brennan, Cailin Fizgerald, Damien Maher, Conor Freeman, Billy Guilfoyle, Dylan Delaney, Ger Hutchinson  Subs: Dylan Hutchinson for D Delaney (half time), Rhys Culbert for B Guilfoyle (42 mins).

Report from Offaly Express, September 24th 2008.