Doyle scores nine as Bagenalstown progress past Rangers
Cian Doyle's accuracy from frees and from play proved pivotal for Bagenalstown Gaels Photo: Pat Ahern
Bagenalstown Gaels qualified for the senior football championship semi-finals with a relatively easy victory over Mount Leinster Rangers on Saturday in Netwatch Cullen Park.
The platform for victory was laid in the opening minutes when Oisin Dillon scored two goals and Jamie Clarke knocked over a point. The Gaels kept an iron-grip on the game. Eventually Rangers pressure secured them a goal apiece from Eddie Byrne and Evan Kealy as the eventual winners went to the break leading by 2-8 to 2-3.
The Borris side could never reduce the arrears. They got to within six points of their rivals on five occasions but each time, Bagenalstown hit back and raised further white flags. Cian Doyle’s nine points was key for the winners who will go forward now with nothing to lose and all to play for when the semi-final draw is made on Sunday.
C Doyle 0-9 (6fs), O Dillon 2-0, R Kane 0-3 (2fs), P McDonnell 0-3, J McCullagh, J Clarke, D Doyle 0-1 each.
E Kealy, E Byrne 1-0 each, E Doyle 0-3 (fs), C Fitzpatrick 0-2 (2p), J Nolan 0-2 each, C Nolan, D Murphy, 0-1 each.
Ciaran Cunningham; Thomas McDonnell, Jason Wall, Sean Wall; Niall Bolger, Jack McCullagh, Mark McDonald; Patrick McDonnell, Shane Clarke; Danny Doyle, Jamie Clarke, Darragh Nolan; Cian Doyle, Robbie Kane, Oisin Dillon. Subs: Andrew Casey for Bolger (51), James Farrell for Nolan (57), TJ Darcy for S Wall (59), Liam McDonnell for McDonald (59), Darren Crooks for Dillon (59).
Dean Grennan; Jack Griffith, Michael Joyce, Jamie Nolan; Richard Coady, Jon Nolan, Sean Joyce; Fiachra Fitzpatrick, Eddie Byrne; Tim Brennan, Conaill Fitzpatrick, Evan Kealy; Donagh Murphy, Eoin Doyle, Chris Nolan. Subs: Ted Joyce for Byrne (38), Ruairi Murphy for Griffith (49), Robert Stafford for Kealy (59), Joe Dundon for D Murphy (59).
James Foley (Kilbride).
