Oran/St. Croan’s retain their crown
The Oran/St. Croan's side that claimed the Hannon's Hotel U-20 Division 2 title. Picture: Roscommon GAA
Oran/St. Croan’s retained their Hannon’s Hotel U-20 Division 2 title as they rallied to defeat a gutsy Kilbride side.
Kilbride led 0-7 to 0-4 at half time but second half goals from Seamus Hussey and a late strike from Evan McNeill sealed a dramatic win.
It was Kilbride who deservedly led at half time against an Oran/St. Croan’s side who kicked eight opening half wides and dropped two more efforts into the hands of Cian Trimble.
Three Luke Shally efforts helped a resolute Kilbride side lead by four points before half time as Seamus Hussey slotted over to reduce his side’s arrears to three at the interval.
Oran/St. Croan’s were much improved in the second half as their accuracy rose sharply.
They plundered 1-6 without reply in the third quarter as a pair of two-point frees from the increasingly influential Alan Conroy moved his side in front before Hussey picked out the top corner of the net with a brilliant finish.
Just as Oran had moved six clear, their inaccuracies re-appeared momentarily as they dropped four successive efforts short and Kilbride punished this with sub Aaron Bracken finding the net with his first touch.
After a pair of Conor Harris frees and a Conor Carley effort pushed Oran/St. Croan’s five up, Kilbride responded again with a quickfire 1-1 as Marc Shally netted before a Luke Shally free left a point between the sides.
But, Kilbride could not find the equaliser as Evan McNeill netted before an Eoin Collins score ensured Oran/St. Croan’s retained their crown.
**Full report in Tuesday's Roscommon Herald**
