Post date: May 4, 2015 2:55:01 PM
Thanks to the Kildare Nationalist for the following match report from our Minor Final victory;
Minor Match Report
By Tara Byrne
DESPITE hitting the front early on it was not to be Milltown's day as an early goal in the opening half of extra time ensured that it would be Abbey Rangers that would be celebrating success in the Minor Division 4 Final.
A quick start from Milltown set the pace for the game, as no sooner had Alan Dignam pointed that Abbey Rangers' Robert Hanley and Evan Foley registered their side's opening points of the day to put their team ahead after nine minutes. In an end to end opening half, Milltown weren't long about returning the favour as Dignam pointed to level matters on 10 minutes. A further trading of points saw the sides again deadlocked after 14 minutes of action. There was nothing between the sides as both sides battled forward looking for the piece of magic that would force the opposition to retreat into their shells, but this was not to be found.
With three minutes remaining in the half, it was again Milltown's Dignam to the fore, pointing to ensure the sides would be level for the fifth time in the opening half. Yet, Abbey Rangers were not in the mood to enter the break level and surged forward to ensure that they would claim the advantage at the break. A brace from Robert Hanley giving the Ballykelly and Kildangan amalgamation the half time lead. On the restart Abbey Rangers were determined to build on this and a curling point from the outside of the right from Hanley pushed his side three ahead.
A fourth from the boot of Hanley without reply looked to have broken the Milltown resolve before Dignam again popped up to register the opening score of the second half for the local side.
Hanley was not in the mood to pass over the scoring mantle and continued to keep Abbey Rangers ticking along as the game neared the three-quarter mark. A Milltown brace slightly cut the gap before a final from Hanley restored a three point advantage for Abbey Rangers with 9 minutes on the clock. With time against them Milltown dug deep again turning to Dignam, who pointed three times in the final three minutes to ensure the sides would need extra time to separate them.
As extra time began it was again Hanley who lead the Abbey Rangers challenge, netting from the penalty spot before pointing two minutes from the break to coast to a four point advantage. A point before the break followed by two more in the second period of extra time proved not enough for Milltown as they fell just short, allowing Abbey Rangers to claim their first piece of silverware.
ABBEY RANGERS: Adam Lawler; Cian Stafford, Luke Barry, Shane Ryan; Stephan McNally, Eoin Whelan, Josh Lawler; David O'Connell, Dara Gilbert; Evan Foley 0-1, Eoin Sinnott, Dermot Hickey; Robert Hanley 1-12 (1 pen, 9f), Dean Porter, Ryan Moran.
MILLTOWN: Michael Murphy; David Shannon, Andy Busuttil, Reece Murphy Lucako; Jack Nugent, Brandon Heavey 0-2, Glen Smith 0-1; Kevin Byrne 0-1, James Condon; Reece Gavin, James Byrne 0-1, Alan Dignam 0-9 (8f); Aaron Jacob 0-1, Cullen Desay, Sean Tiernan.