Brilliant Bergin guides Grangenolvin to glory
The Grangenolvin team celebrate winning the Kildare Junior Football Championship. All Photos: James Lawlor
Grangenolvin are the Tom Cross Junior Football Champions after they had five points to spare of a Rathcoffey side who battled hard but who missed the influence of star forward Conor Harris through injury.
Take nothing from Grange who made the running from the opening minute and despite playing against a strong opening half breeze they were level at the break.
This was a Grange side coming into a final on the back of three semi-final losses but they will all be forgotten over the next few days.
Full forward James Gannon opened the scoring three minutes in but wing back Chris Shiels levelled two minutes later with a fine effort from 40 metres.
Despite playing against those elements two points from Nathan Doyle, a fisted effort and a fine effort from Fionn Bergin as he broke free of the Rathcoffey defence.
Rathcoffey's next score came from another half back Eoin Mills as his side started to gain some parity around the middle.
Mills getting into a good attacking position before landing his shot just inside the post.
A breaking ball from the resulting kickout fell to Joey Toman and his first time effort fell kindly for Ethan O Donoghue and as he tried to get away Ryan Moran adjudged him to be fouled and up stepped Jason Acton to fire Rathcoffey into the lead for the first time.
Grange responded through two Fionn Bergin points from play. The corner forward showing great accuracy into the teeth of the wind.
When Bergin was fouled 40 metres out it was wing back Brian Cullen who stepped up to land a brilliant two pointer free off the ground.
It edged Grange back two ahead again as injury time on the horizon.
With Conor Harris falling foul of a dreaded knee injury earlier in the week the pressure was on Ethan O Donoghue to fill the void.
He responded before the break with two points, one from a free and the sides were level at 0-7 to 1-4 as the half came to a close.
Grange turned to play with the breeze into the Kilcullen end and four quick stores in as many minutes put them in the driving test.
Two Fionn Bergin frees either side of a Tomas Cullen two pointer gave Rathcoffey plenty to think about and seven minutes had elapsed before Chris Shiels got up for his second of the evening.
Tomas Cullen and Nathan Doyle,with his second responded for Grange as they kept that five point buffer.
The introduction of Michael O Connor at half time paid dividends as he reduced the gap with two quick frees and with 12 minutes remaining the gap was back to three.Rathcoffey had hope and they poured forward in the hope of a goal.
Twice they lost possession and James Gannon and Conall Bergin helped keep Rathcoffey at arms length.Conall Bergin quickly added his second to extend the lead to six as we entered the last four minutes of normal time.
Rathcoffey were trying to weave some magic but with captain Paul Huntingdon leading the way Grange turned over possession after possession to keep their goals intact.
A foul on Joey Toman saw the ball moved forward for dissent and up stepped Ethan O Donoghue to blast home a 20 metre free. The goal brought the lead down to three and it gave Rathcoffey renewed hope.
The four minutes of injury time were tense as both sides tried to work the ball into a scoring position.
Grange have shown great resolve and fitness levels to finish off games throughout the championship. This Saturday evening was to be no different.
Rathcoffey centre back Cillian McGovern was red carded late on and late points for Ross Dooley and a sixth for Fionn Bergin put the seal on a famous Grangenolvin win.
Grangenolvin have knocked on the door of the Junior Championship over the last few years and finally it was to be their day.
They were unbeaten all year and David Conway's charges were full value for this win as they collected the Noel Moran Cup for the first time in 20 years.
Fionn Bergin 0-6 (3f), Tomas Cullen 0-3 (2pt), Brian Cullen (2pf), Conall Bergin, Nathan Doyle and James Gannon 0-2 each, Ross Dooley 0-1.
Ethan O Donoghue 1-2 (0-1f), Jason Acton 1-0 (pen), Chris Shiels and Michael O'Connor (2f) 0-2 each, Eoin Mills 0-1.
Conor McMahon, Gavin Ivory, Paul Huntingdon, Keith Holligan, Lewis Gannon, Dylan Costigan, Brian Cullen, Keith McGloin, Conall Bergin, Timmy Doyle, Tomas Cullen, Cillian Bergin, Nathan Doyle, James Gannon, Fionn Bergin.
Oran Bergin for T Doyle (33), Willie Clynch for McMahon (46), Aaron Phelan for Holligan (53), Ross Dooley for McGloin (54), Luke Thornton for Cullen (60).
Freddie Rust, Evan Moriarty, Eoghan McDonnell, Conor Mayock, Eoin Mills, Cillian McGovern, Chris Shiels, Calum Fagan, Adam Tierney, Cathal Harris, Tom Moriarty, Jason Acton, Jamie Moriarty, Ethan O Donoghue, Joey Toman.
Padraig McManamon for Travers (HT) Michael O'Connor for Tierney (HT), Alex McGovern for Moriarty (46).
Ryan Moran.
