Crosshaven captured the SE Junior B Football League title after an impressive performance against Valley Rovers in Shanbally on Friday night.
Racking up an impressive tally of 1-9 to Valleys 0-2 at the halftime mark the title always seemed destined for the Crosshaven Trophy Cabinet.
Valleys to their credit never looked like throwing in the towel, but a number of wasteful chances at the beginning of the second half never helped their cause.
Crosshaven led by the impressive Senán Buckley and the flying Shay Murphy were a thorn in the Valley’s side over the hour, as the Innishannon centre back Cian Crowley was very visible throughout.
However, it was Crosshaven who dominated this game from the throw in, making good use of the breeze in the first thirty minutes
Indeed, Valley Rovers didn’t register their first score until 17 minutes, by then Crosshaven had clocked up an impressive five points Eoin O’ Sullivan (2), Pádraig Murphy, Senan Buckley and Eoin Merchant.
Former South East Chairman John Middleton present the JBLFC to Croshhaven's Darragh Cogan, also included Chairman of the SE Myles Barry
To be fair Ciaran Hoey was making inroads into the Crosshaven defence but the inside line of Ruairc Sisk, Jake Russell and Killian Deane were impregnable.
Crosshaven could have been further ahead on 21 minutes, but Eoin Merchant had a goal disallowed for a square infringement.
A Shane Murphy goal on 28 minutes capped off a first-class performance, which had seen Shay Murphy, Darragh Cogan, Merchant, Buckley all kick points in the previous ten-minute period.
With the wind at their backs, Valleys took the game to their opponents but they never possessed the ability to trouble the Crosshaven defence.
Three consecutive scores from the Innishannon side gave hope as Lawton claimed a brace and Ryan sent over a free, as the score read 1-9 to 0-5 after 42 minutes.
Crosshaven nerves were settled as Senan Buckley added a point and substitute Liam Cotter could have finished this game, but the goal chance went a begging.
For the next ten minutes Crosshaven added three additional points from Fergal Conway, Tim O’ Keeffe and a free from Padraig Murphy on 54 minutes.
While Ryan kicked the final score of the game on 59 minutes, it was all but a consolation for Valleys, as Crosshaven deservedly claimed the victory.
Scorers for Crosshaven: S Murphy 1-1, Senan Buckley 0-3, P Murphy (1F), E Merchant, E O’Sullivan (0-2 each), F Conway, D Cogan, T O’Keeffe (0-1each).
Valley Rovers: S Ryan 0-3(3F), N Lawton 0-2, B McCarthy 0-1.
CROSSHAVEN: L Delaney; R Sisk, J Russell, K Deane; P Cotter, D Cogan, N Deane; S Buckley, S Murphy; R McGrath, E O’Sullivan, P Murphy; E Merchant.
Subs: S Myers, D Jeffers, J Fitzgerald, T O’Keeffe, F Conway.
VALLEY ROVERS: T Sweetnam; D Ryan, B McCarthy, C Crowley; B. T McCarthy, O Fehily, N Lawton, A Huggard, C Hoey; S Ryan, L Dempsey, D Hoey; D Carthew.
Subs: J Hurley, M Power.
Referee: Brian Sweeney, Shamrocks
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