Longford JFC Final: Young Grattans crowned county Junior champions for the first time since 2013
Junior ‘A’ Football Championship Final
Young Grattans . . . 0-16 Ballymore . . . 0-11
While Grattans were crowned the county Junior champions for the first time since 2013, Ballymore suffered the bitter disappointment of defeat in the title decider for the second year in succession.
Grattans led by 0-9 to 0-5 at the break with centre-half-back Gerard Victory completing the first half scoring in surging forward to land a fantastic point in the 28th minute.
While Ballymore closed the gap to just two points (0-12 to 0-10) with ten minutes remaining, the Stonepark side produced a storming finish in adding another four scores to their impressive tally through Gary Hand, Rory Howlin and man of the match John Hand, the latter landing a brace of terrific strikes.
It was an excellent overall team performance by Grattans, managed by Carrickedmond clubman Paul McGuire, and his side are away to the Carlow champions in the first round of the Leinster Junior Club Championship on October 22/23.
YOUNG GRATTANS: Kevin Jones; Niall Nerney, Damian McHugh, David Trappe; Tadhg Nerney, Gerard Victory (0-1), Emmet Clarke; Karl Murray, Stephen Farrell (0-1); Rory Howlin (0-1), Eoin Farrell, Eoin Kinlan (0-1); Reuben Murray (0-1, mark), John Hand (0-8, 4 frees), Shane O’Brien (0-2).
Subs:- Gary Hand (0-1) for T Nerney (half-time); James Moran for S O’Brien (46 mins).
BALLYMORE: Mattie McCrann; Matthew Shaughnessy, Philip Dawson, Ciaran Fahy; Mel Creegan, Donal McElvaney, Cian O’Hara; Padraig Kavanagh, David Reilly (0-2, 1 free); Padraig Boyle, Damien Monaghan (0-2, frees), John Boyle (0-3); Oisin Flynn (0-2), Glen Kelly (0-2, 1 free), Gavin O’Hara.
Subs:- Ciaran Reilly for G Kelly (half-time); Ben Creegan for M Creegan (half-time); John Gorman for G O’Hara (42 mins).
Referee: John Cullen (Mostrim).