Shamrocks defeat Reds for Division 2 Reserve title

ACFL Reserve Division 2 final

Bailieborough Shamrocks 1-17

Cornafean 1-8

Bailieborough Shamrocks delivered a measured and clinical performance to secure the Division 2 Reserve League title with a 1-17 to 1-8 win over Cornafean in Sunday’s final at PJ Duke Park, Stradone.

It was Cornafean who got off to the brighter start, registering the opening point inside the first minute, but Bailieborough settled quickly and were level soon after when Ryan Gilmer curled over a free from distance to get his side on the board.

The first major moment arrived in the third minute when Gearoid Lynch launched a speculative effort from range that looped dangerously towards the Cornafean goal; the ball dropped just under the crossbar and into the net to hand Bailieborough a dream start and a 1-1 to 0-1 lead.

Cornafean were wasteful in the following minutes, spurning two decent chances, and Bailieborough punished them. Warren Cooney showed excellent skill to pop over a great score from distance after six minutes. Moments later, Ryan Gilmer, full of running, carved through the Cornafean defence and clipped over another stylish point, stretching the advantage to five.

Cornafean replied with a free from Oisin Browne to keep in touch, but the Shamrocks remained in control. There was a setback when Diarmuid Donnellan was forced off with injury on 11 minutes, replaced by Ruairi O’Sullivan, but Bailieborough maintained their rhythm and would go in at the break three points up, 1-8 to 1-5.

Cornafean’s goal came on 15 minutes from midfielder Cormac Cullen, who finished via the post, and Andrew Smith soon levelled the match before Browne nudged the Reds in front with a free.

On 21 minutes, Conor Noone knocked over a close-range free to tie the game again before Ryan Gilmer landed a well-taken two-point free and followed up with a bicycle kick style effort from play to make it 1-7 to 1-4.

Gilmer’s pace was causing the Reds problems and he beat a couple of tackles and raised another white flag but Browne had the final say of the first half to leave three in it at the midway point.

The second half began with a point from Cornafean’s Cormac Doyle to narrow the gap to two. Bailieborough lost Gilmer to a black card but Ryan Coleman confidently slotted over a well-taken free to steady the Shamrocks.

James McGahern then landed a tidy point, but Cornafean’s momentum was halted as they kicked a couple of wides. Bailieborough capitalised, with Ryan Coleman producing a fine point from play.

Andy Farrelly made way for Oran McIntyre as Bailieborough freshened up around the middle, and shortly after, Warren Cooney struck from play to push the Shamrocks four clear.

On 47 minutes, after a patient spell of possession, Ryan Gilmer kicked another quality point and he followed that up with a free three minutes later to extend the gap to six approaching the home stretch.

Coleman, causing problems for the Cornafean defence, added another sharp point from play before Colin Gargan landed a superb effort as the Shamrocks kicked for home.

Cornafean responded with a free to bring it back to seven, but Bailieborough finished strongly. Oisin Fitzsimons capped a solid performance with a fine point from play, and although Peter Clerkin was sent off on 60 minutes, the Shamrocks remained composed.

Substitute Conor Monaghan completed the scoring with a neat point in injury time, as Bailieborough closed out the contest to lift the title after a clinical display built on sharp finishing and disciplined defending although Cornafean will be disappointed to have spurned a number of decent goal chances on the day.

Bailieborough Shamrocks: Conor McIntyre, Callum Trumper, Luke O’Sullivan, Diarmuid Donnellan, Joe Farrelly, Oisin Fitzsimons, Colin Gargan, Peter Clerkin, Andy Farrelly, Gearoid Lynch, Ryan Gilmer, Conor Noone, Warren Cooney, Shane Monaghan, Ryan Coleman.

Subs: Ruairi O’Sullivan for Diarmuid Donnellan, Oran McIntyre for Andy Farrelly, Conor Monaghan for Gearoid Lynch

Cornafean: Emmett Martin, Niall Corcoran, Ciaran Duignan, Eamonn Brady, Conor Brady, Mark Johnson (0-1), Finbarr Rodgers, Cormac Cullen (1-1), Cormac Doyle, Pierce Kilkenny, David Egan, James McGahern (0-2), Oisin Browne (0-2), Andrew Smith (0-1), Ronan O'Rourke

Subs: James Miney, Sean McFaul, Jack Trainor (0-1), Conor Kilkenny, George Cullivan