Glen Rovers push on in second half to edge out Nemo in league final

Glen Rovers 1-16 Nemo Rangers 0-10

GLEN Rovers claimed the AOS Security Seandún Junior Hurling League 2 title in a hard-fought decider at Ballinlough.

In a low-scoring opening half, both sides resorted to defensive tactics as both netminders pulled off some spectacular saves. 

After the interval, scoring opportunities from play were at a premium as Glen Rovers converted eight placed-balls to Nemo Rangers’ three. The Glen also scored the decisive goal, midway through the second half.

Aidan Byrnes opened the scoring with a point from play for Nemo Rangers, before Glen Rovers cancelled this out with points by Eric Healy and Evan O’Connell.

John Kearney converted Nemo Rangers’ first free. Jack Kennefick and Healy exchanged points with Nemo Rangers’ Peter Collins and Ruaraí Hogan to level matters at four points apiece.

In the second quarter, Nemo Rangers outscored Glen Rovers by two points to one to lead 0-6 to 0-5 at the break.

Glen Rovers upped the ante after the interval as persistent fouling was proving to be costly for Nemo Rangers. Kennefick converted two frees and Healy tagged on a point from play, before Kearney replied with a pointed free for Nemo Rangers.

Jamie Corkery got a point from play for Glen Rovers and this was followed by a long-range pointed free by O’Connell, which gave Glen Rovers a lead of 0-10 to 0-7.

Midway through he second half, Byrnes got Nemo Rangers’ only point from play to reduce the deficit to two points. Kennefick restored Glen Rovers’ three-point advantage with his fourth pointed free.

Glen Rovers put the game beyond Nemo Rangers’ reach when Healy was credited with a goal from the edge of the Nemo Rangers’ square, following a defensive error. Glen Rovers outscored Nemo Rangers by five points to two in the final quarter, with Corkery getting the only score from play.

Scorers for Glen Rovers: J Kennefick 0-8 (0-7 f, 0-1 65); E Healy 1-4; E O’Connell 0-2 (0-1 f); J Corkery 0-2.

Nemo Rangers: J Kearney 0-4 f; A Byrnes 0-3; P Collins, R Hogan, P O'Dwyer 0-1 each.

GLEN: S O’Neill; D Dunlea, C Martin, A Murphy; S Cronin, D Tynan, T Downey; D O’Callaghan, D Kennefick; J Galvin, E Fuller, E O’Connell; J Maher, E Healy, J Kennefick.

Subs: A Evans for Murphy (24), J Corkery for Fuller (h-t), E Cronin for Downey (47), A O’Callaghan for Maher (52).

NEMO: J Daly; S O’Dwyer, J Cowhig, C Cowhig; G Barrett, E Kelly, J Lyons; P Collins, S Mulcahy; A Byrnes, D Kelly, A Cronin; R Hogan, J Kearney, P O’Dwyer.

Subs: B Twohig for P O’Dwyer (32), N O’Shea for Barrett (36), D Coughlan for Hogan (45), J O’Neill for A Cronin (51).

Referee: Damian Taaffe (Passage).