FL2 round-up: O Raghallaighs crowned champions after winner-takes-all clash

August 13, 2018

O Raghallaighs were crowned Division 2 league champions when they defeated Kilkerley Emmets by 2-20 to 1-15 at the Gaelic Grounds on Sunday afternoon.

In what was a winner-takes-all game between the two title challengers, it was the Drogheda men who deservedly came out on top with a strong third quarter proving decisive.

Points from Tadgh McEneaney helped the Emmets into an early lead but the O Raghallaighs soon got to grips with the game and scores from Joe Flanagan, Alan Doyle and Ruairi Moore saw them lead by 0-12 to 0-9 at the break.

The O Raghallaighs made the decisive move in the third quarter when goals from Ben Rogan and Daniel Morgan saw them move eight points clear. There was no way back for Kilkerley after that and although they did find the net through Sean Hand their fate was sealed when Shane Lennon missed a late penalty.

As a result the O Raghallaighs will play in Division 1 next year and Kilkerley will have to come through the play-offs if they are to join them.

Nh Fionnbarra will also be in the play-offs after they pipped O'Connells to fourth place with a 1-18 to 1-10 win at Ballygassan on Sunday afternoon.

The O'Connells made a bright start to the game and when Paul McKeever struck the first goal of the game on 20 minutes his side was leading by 1-4 to 0-3. However, the Barrs hit back and points from William Woods and Bryan Sharkey helped them cut the gap to 1-6 to 0-8 at the break.

The hosts dominated the third quarter and a goal from a Bernard Osborne penalty helped them move five clear. The O'Connells cut the gap to three with five minutes remaining but scores from Conor Osborne and Jack Butterly completed the win for the Barrs.

Glen Emmets gave themselves a boost ahead of their promotion/relegation play-off by defeating Oliver Plunketts on a 1-14 to 3-6 scoreline at Mell on Sunday afternoon thanks to a late Keith Lynch goal.

The visitors had the edge in the first half and scores from James Butler, Ronan Grufferty and Keelan O'Neill helped them lead by 0-7 to 0-3 at the break.

The Plunketts fought back in the second half and goals from Dean Carolan (2) and Trevor Walsh had them in front with entering the dying moments. However, it was Lynch who had the final say as his late goal proved decisive.

St Mochtas also completed their campaign on a positive note as they defeated neighbours Glyde Rangers by 1-17 to 1-7 on Friday night.

The Louth Village side were always on top in this encounter and a goal from Gareth O'Reilly helped them take a comfortable 1-9 to 0-4 lead into the break.

Glyde responded with a goal from Dion Conlon but the Mochtas remained in control to the end and points from Declan Byrne, Stephen McCooey and Eamonn O'Neill saw them cruise to victory.

St Fechins were in fine goalscoring form on Sunday afternoon as they recorded an impressive 5-15 to 3-9 win over Hunterstown Rovers at Beaulieu.

Four of those goals came in the first half as the Fechins went in leading by 4-11 to 1-5, with the Rovers goal coming from the boot of Alan Landy after just six minutes.

Hunterstown were unable to mount a comeback despite goals from Robbie Brennan and Paul Carrie in the final quarter as the home side eased to a comfortable win.

In the remaining game in Division 2 St Josephs scored a 2-13 to 2-11 win at home to Roche Emmets thanks to late points from Peter Brennan and Jack McNamee.

Roche had the first goal of the game from Dan O'Connell but a goal from Conor Neary along with points from Craig Doherty and Oisin McGuinness had the Joes 1-9 to 1-6 at the break.

A Conor Carthy goal helped Roche regain the lead in the second half but the Joes hit back to level with an effort from Shane Barron before Brennan and McNamee struck late to snatch victory.


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