Abbey Rangers Secure Under 16 Title

Post date: Sep 9, 2017 10:31:19 AM

U16 C Shield final Friday 09/09/2017 Hawkfield

Abbey Rangers 4-11 to 2-14 Carbury.

The Under 16 shield final produced a thrilling game between two teams intent on playing fast and open football-a wonderful advertisement for what Gaelic Football can be.

It was a game of four quarters. Abbey Rangers really set out their stall in an incredible starting eight minutes with 2-3 on the board leaving Carbury shell shocked.

Although it was early days, Carbury could have been forgiven for letting the rest of the game slip by, but in a fantastic turn-around they organised themselves and rallied. Their new found rhythm delivered them a well deserved 1-8 almost without reply and the contest was level for a time with the break looming. Some of the Carbury point taking was top drawer as the recycled the ball until the found a team mate in a better position.

Rangers rallied to get back in the game coming to the break. Half time and the score was Rangers 2-7 to Carbury 1-8.

When play re-started Rangers again showed their class and extended the lead with some of the best scores at any game in Hawkfield that evening.

Carbury were again on the back foot. Their character re-emerged, with some fast flowing plays that delivered brilliantly taken scores ensuring that this match wouldn't be decided until the final whistle. .

Late in the game Carbury, trailing by 7 points realised they needed to hit the net or time would run out, and they did just that when awarded a penalty with minutes remaining. The penalty hit the top corner of the net and it was game on.

A subsequent free and converted point for Rangers meant that Carbury urgently required another goal, with almost four minutes of additional time already played. What proved to be the final assault on the Rangers goal was eventually cleared and the final whistle came to Rangers relief.

This match was one of the fastest flowing end to end games of the season for Rangers, and either team would have been worthy winners, but Rangers prevailed-just.

Match Report-Fergal Gilbert