Crosserlough claim Reserve title in style

ACFL Division 1 Reserve final

Crosserlough 7-14

Killygarry 2-9

Crosserlough claimed the Romar Energy Reserve ACFL Division 1 title with a dominant display, racking up seven goals in a high-scoring final against Killygarry in Ballinagh on Sunday.

In warm, energy-sapping conditions, the first 20 minutes or so were close with Killygarry a match for Crosserlough. But the would-be winners kicked on before half-time to open a five-point lead and their movement and clever use of possession up front saw them put the game to bed with a devastating salvo in the third quarter.

The early exchanges were close. Crosserlough opened the scoring with a point from a free from Michael Donohoe after five minutes; Killygarry responded with a point from play by Thomas Gilsenan on seven minutes before David Shalvey nudged the eventual winners in front.

A quickfire double from Daire Moran saw the Crubany men take the lead for the first time in the contest and although Crosserlough hit the front with a goal from Stephen Smith in the 13th minute, Killygarry had the ball in the net at the other end within a minute via David Talbot to leave it 1-3 to 1-2.

Talbot quickly raised a white flag to double Killygarry’s lead but a key spell was to follow as Crosserlough rattled off 1-4 unanswered to take control of the tie. Two frees and one from play by captain Donohoe was followed a Shane McVeety effort before Ryan Galligan claimed a kick-out and Stephen Smith knocked home his second major to leave it 2-6 to 1-4 with seven minutes remaining to the interval.

Jamie McDonald and McVeety traded points; Tommy Boylan knocked over a tidy score from play for the senior champions but Killygarry had the final score of the half, a free from Enda Gallen, to leave five between them at the midway point, 2-8 to 1-6, in favour of Crosserlough.

On the resumption, Crosserlough eased into a higher gear and kicked on with a devastating burst in the first 10 minutes of the second half.

Boylan landed a point before an Eoin Cusack goal moments later made it 3-9 to 1-6. Further points from play from Donohoe and Cusack and a Boylan extended Crosserlough’s lead and the fourth goal, on 41 minutes, made it a 15-point game, Boylan rattling the net after Ben Colwell forced a turnover and Donohoe delivered a well-judged pass.

By now, Crosserlough were rampant. Darren Gaffney bagged their fifth goal and although Neil Reilly added a free for Killygarry, the result was by now beyond doubt. Ryan Galligan raised Crosserlough’s sixth green flag and the in-form Donohoe tacked on another point from play as the match entered the last 10 minutes.

Talbot responded for Killygarry with a goal but Crosserlough were still pouring forward and a Thomas Smith point and a goal for Donohoe saw them ease home, with an Enda Gallen free for Killygarry concluding the scoring.

Crosserlough: Mark Reilly; Ben Colwell, Ronan Harten (B), Karl Lynch; Ronan Harten (R), Mark Stuart, Aaron Cooke; Ryan Galligan (1-1), David Shalvey (0-1); Oran Rehill, Stephen Smith (2-0), Shane McVeety (0-2); Eoin Cusack (1-1), Michael Donohoe (1-5, 2f), Tommy Boylan (1-2)

Subs: Cormac Boylan for K Lynch (40), Darren Gaffney (1-0) for R Harten (R) (43), Michael Corr for E Cusack (44), Thomas Smith (0-1) for S Smith (50), Anthony Smith for M Stuart (50)

Killygarry: Darragh Gilsenan; Jude McManus, Gabriel Cosgrove, Kevin White; Jamie McDonald (0-1), Jack Murphy, Andy O'Brien; Patrick Lynch (C), Thomas Gilsenan (0-1); Shane Cosgrove, David Talbot (2-1), Enda Gallen (0-2f); Cillian Moran, Neil Reilly (0-1f), Conor Lynch

Subs: Ben Murphy for K White (ht), Jack Mooney for C Moran (33), Kevin Lovett for P Lynch (38), Killian Reilly for J McManus (42), Ben Mooney for Shane Cosgrove (45)

Ref: James Clarke