Crosserlough full-back Patrick O'Reilly.

Crosserlough finish the year on a high

Crosserlough 3-13
Southern Gaels 2-6

Paul Fitzpatrick
at Kingspan Breffni 3G

Crosserlough rounded off their season on a high when they comfortably saw off Southern Gaels in this afternoon’s McEvoy’s SuperValu U21 Division 1 Championship final.

At half-time, the eventual winners held a commanding 1-10 to 0-3 lead after a dominant first half display which was characterised by pacey attacks and excellent use of possession.

The Lacken-Gowna combination, in contrast, were sluggish and ponderous in possession, which they coughed up far too easily.

Crosserlough opened the scoring with a fisted point from Nathan Galligan and although Cian Madden levelled matters, the Lough were soon on top.

Patrick Lynch, who had an excellent game, won a free which he converted himself and on eight minutes, James Smith clipped over to make it 0-3 to 0-1.

By now, Crosserlough were winning almost all of the battles and they stretched their lead to three with a lovely score from Stephen Smith before the first goal of the contest arrived in the 12th minute.

Peter Smith created the major with a clever dummy opening up the Southern Gaels defence and allowing Lynch to ghost inside and plant a powerful shot to the bottom corner of the net.

Southern Gaels broke through for a goal chance at the other end but Cian Madden’s shot was easily smothered by Anthony Smith and from the resulting break, Lynch fielded well and fisted over to make it 1-5 to 0-1.

Oisin Pierson knocked over a free after a foul on Cormac Boylan and quickly added another but Crosserlough’s response was impressive; an excellent free from Lynch, a fisted score from Stephen Smith and a point by Sean Briody, again after good work from Lynch.

Further scores before the break from Stephen Smith and James Smith left 10 in it at the short whistle but Southern Gaels were thrown a lifeline when Mark Wilson drove through for a fine goal just a minute after the restart.

However, the runners-up were never able to really exert enough pressure on Crosserlough – a wonderful long range point from Lynch and a free from the same player quickly put nine between them again.

In the closing stages, Crosserlough sub Emmett Boylan tucked away two goals from close range but Southern Gaels pulled back a three-pointer of their own when Oisin Pierson slotted home a penalty.

See this week’s print issue for full coverage.