GAA | Roche take U16 Division 2A title with hard-fought win over combination side

Louth U16 Division 2A League Final 
Roche Emmets 4–6 Mattock Rangers/Hunterstown 3–8

Roche Emmets claimed the Louth U16 Division Two League title by the narrowest of margins with a one-point win over the combination side of Mattock Rangers and Hunterstown on Monday night in Darver.

An evenly matched first-half, which was played in a great spirit, ended with Roche leading 1–3 to 0–5, their goal coming from Adam Fee. Elsewhere, midfielder Glen Stewart hit two points with his midfield partner Adam McKay contributing one.

The half forward line of James McArdle, Gerard Browne and Fintan Watters caused all sorts of problems with their attacking runs and link up play to the full forward line of Scott Carthy, Mark Byrne), Adam Fee and Mikey McCourt.

The second half really saw both teams up the intensity and the game was played out at a frantic pace with no quarter given by either side.

It was Roche who started the half that little bit stronger and with 10 minutes played they had raced into a nine-point lead with goals from Stewart, Fee and Gerard Browne, two of which were set up by corner forward McCourt.

The mid-Louth outfit were far from beaten, though, and they rallied themselves with a couple of quick fire goals to leave just three points between the sides.

Mattock/Hunterstown started to put real pressure on the Roche defence which held out due to some excellent saves from goalkeeper Josh Rice Martin and resolute defending by the full back line of Peter Lynch, Sean Dawe and Liam O’Donnell.

Both sides traded points with Roche’s coming from Stewart, Fee and Mark Byrne but another goal by Mattock/Hunterstown left just two points between the teams going into injury time.

The Roche half back line, marshalled by the excellent James McDonnell in the centre and flanked by Aidan Grant and Devan Callan, defended with gusto and supported by the tireless working midfield duo of Stewart and McKay kept the MattockHunterstown attack at bay.

There was just the bare minimum between the teams when referee Des McDonnell blew the final whistle, much to the joy of the Roche lads and their supporters.

Other players to contribute and play during an excellent league campaign for the Faughart outfit were Aran Ralph, Brogan Kelly, Matthew Greene, Dylan Keenan, Jack McKay, Dara Reilly and Killian Carroll.

ROCHE EMMETS: Josh Rice Martin, Peter Lynch, Sean Dawe, Liam O’Donnell, Aidan Grant, James McDonnell Devin Callan, Glen Stewart (1–3), Adam McKay (0–1), James McArdle, Gerard Browne (1–0), Fintan Watters, Scott Carthy, Adam Fee (2–1), Mikey McCourt, Mark Byrne (0–1), Aran Ralph, Jack McKay, Killian Carroll, Dara Reilly, Brogan Kelly, Dylan Keenan, Matthew Greene.

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