Mayfield footballers end wait of 20 years to land City Division Junior A title

Mayfield 3-9 Nemo Rangers 1-7

MAYFIELD bridged a 20-year gap, as they were crowned AOS Security Management Solutions Seandún Junior A Football champions, for the eighth time, as they defeated Nemo Rangers in their one-sided decider before a sizeable attendance at Ballinlough.

They held Nemo Rangers scoreless for most of the opening quarter and their first goal after 18 minutes was decisive, as it ended the game as a contest. The second half was more evenly contested as both sides scored 1-4 each, with Nemo Rangers’ goal coming courtesy of a late penalty.

Playing with wind advantage in the opening quarter, Paul Condon slotted over three unanswered points, including two frees, for Mayfield. Dave O’Neill also chipped in with one from play, before Nemo Rangers opened their account with a point from play by Artjoms Petrov in the 14th minute.

Mayfield promptly had Nemo Rangers on the back foot as wayward kick-outs were proving to be costly for the Trabeg side. Dan Lucey drilled home Mayfield’s first goal from the corner of the Nemo Rangers square in the 18th minute, following a solo run by O’Neill.

Sean Nagle replied with a point from play for Nemo Rangers in the 20th minute, but O’Neill tagged on a point from close range for Mayfield.

Aaron Browne converted a free from a difficult angle for Nemo Rangers, but Mayfield were back on the scoresheet shortly before the break with their second goal, which was fisted to the back of the net from the edge of the square. This gave Mayfield an interval lead of 2-5 to 0-3.

Nemo Rangers upped the ante after the interval as they got the first two scores of the second half, courtesy of a point from play by Conor Shalloe and a pointed free by Eric Dilloughrey.

Joey Gibson pointed a free in the 42nd minute for Mayfield. Mark Hayes replied for Nemo Rangers, before Dilan O’Donovan got Mayfield’s third goal from the corner of the Trabeg side’s square, following a free.

Mayfield continued to have Nemo Rangers pinned back as Condon and Nicky Kelly each tagged on unanswered points from play before Fiachra Twohig replied with a point for the Trabeg side.

Nemo Rangers were awarded a penalty in stoppage time, which Scott Philpott converted.

Nicky Kelly replied with his second point before the final whistle was greeted by jubilant scenes from the Mayfield supporters.

Scorers for Mayfield: P Condon 0-4 (0-2 f); D Lucey, S O’Donovan, D O’Donovan 1-0 each; D O’Neill, N Kelly 0-2 each; J Gibson 0-1 f.

Nemo Rangers: S Philpott 1-0 pen; A Browne, E Dilloughrey 0-1 f each; A Petrov, S Nagle, C Shalloe, M Hayes, F Twohig 0-1 each.

MAYFIELD: E Bond; B Punch, K Punch, B O’Leary; J Gibson, D Malone, D O’Neill; E O’Sullivan, S Kelly; D Grainger, N Kelly, S O’Donovan; D O’Donovan, D Lucey, P Condon.

Subs: T Horgan for O’Sullivan (35), C Moynihan for O’Leary (47), S Keegan for S Kelly (59).

NEMO: L Towler; C Casey, C Shalloe, D Egan; P O'Dwyer, I Nolan, F Twohig; K McDonnell, M Hayes; S O’Dwyer, E Dilloughrey, A Browne; R Hogan, S Nagle, A Petrov.

Subs: J Philpott for Browne (26), P Morgan for Egan (h-t), T Kelly for Hogan (47), S Philpott for Petrov (56).

Referee: Damian Taaffe (Passage).