Palatine pull clear in second half
Palatine's Brandon Cassidy and Mount Leinster Rangers Jack Griffith. Photo; Thomas Nolan Photography.
In a one-sided clash between Palatine and Mount Leinster Rangers, it was Palatine who emerged victors in the Stryve under 20 ‘A’ football championship semi-final, at Netwatch Cullen park tonight.
Palatine opened the scoring in the fifth minute, following a mark by the impressive Brandon Cassidy. Cassidy extended his side's lead with a free moments later.
Joey Dalton opened Mount Leinster Rangers’ account in the 13th minute, with an easy free. Dalton then doubled his account just over 60 seconds later, with another dead ball.
Palatine regained their composure however, and they re-took the lead shortly after. This was thanks to scores from Dylan Doyle, Cassidy and a brace from James Cranny. This left Palatine 0-5 to 0-2 up, at the break.
In atrocious conditions in the second half, it was Mount Leinster Rangers who started brighter. Following a marauding run by Conaill Fitzpatrick, he found the back of the net to bring the men in black and red back into the game.
Another fine score by the influential Cranny in the 37th minute however, extended the eventual winner's lead.
The turning point took place in the 43rd minute, when Cranny’s long range pointed effort dropped short, and ended up in the back of the Rangers net. Cassidy then extended their lead with a free, moments later. Cassidy then chipped in with two more scores before the end, to put the tie to bed.
Eoin Doyle got a further goal before for the victors, before Aidan Ryan and Cranny rounded off the scoring with fine points.
