Rangers dominant in Bolger Cup win
MLR captain Michael Doyle with his parents Lori and Michael after winning the Carlow Credit Union Bolger Cup Photo: Pat Ahern
Mount Leinster Rangers were easy winners of this Carlow Credit Union Bolger Cup final on Saturday in Netwatch Cullen Park as they survived a bright start from their rivals to ease to victory. There was little to indicate what was going to transpire as points from JP Treacy, Alan Wall and Jake Doyle pushed Bagenalstown Gaels into an early 0-3 to 0-1 lead. Ruairi Murphy scored Ranger’s point from a placed ball.
The same player landed two more frees before the Gaels regained the lead when Darren Crooks raised a white flag. Early in the second quarter, Bagenalstown led by two points but Doyle’s point from play would be his side’s last score for over 20 minutes.
From there, the game changed completely as Rangers upped the ante. Eoin Doyle p and Murphy, between them, scored three points from placed balls and play as Rangers took a 0-9 to 0-6 at the interval.
Jamie Nolan may have worn number seven on his jersey but he plied much of his trade up front in the second half. He was rewarded with a 31st minute point and the only goal came moments later when Eoin Doyle got a touch as the ball bounced backwards and forwards before crossing the line.
After that, it was just a matter of avoiding accidents if Rangers were to lose. Bagenalstown were disappointing from there as Rangers turned the screw. Murphy continued to add to his total while Joe Dundon was rewarded for his diligence when flighting over a nice point.
Eventually, Kealan Guidera got Bagenalstown off the mark for the second half. They needed a goal but never really looked like getting one. Instead, Kyle Nolan scored his second point for Rangers while never far from the action, Murphy also kept the umpire busy.
As Rangers relaxed, Jake Doyle landed a free and a 65 for a side who had long before adapted the role of challengers. Midfielder, Sean Wall, also scored two points in the final minutes. It was a notable feat for the midfielder against the odds.
Goal chances were few and far between. As the clock counted down, Rangers keeper, Frank Foley, batted a ball to safety. The winners defence were in no mood to concede and anything which came their way in the final minutes was dealt with.
While Crooks scored his second point for Bagenalstown, the Borris side finished the game on a high. Doyle, Jack Cummins and Dean Grennan, who has won county finals between the sticks, all featured in what was an impressive display.
R Murphy 0-11 (9fs), E Doyle 1-2, K Nolan 0-2, D Grennan, J Cummins, J Dundon, J Nolan, T Brennan 0-1 each.
J Doyle 0-4 (2fs 65), S Wall, D Crooks, K Guidera 0-2 each, A Wall, D Doyle, JP Treacy 0-1 each.
Frank Foley; Michael Doyle, Michael Malone, Jack Griffith; Conaill Fitzpatrick, Diarmuid Byrne, Jamie Nolan; Tim Brennan, Robert Stafford; Jack Griffith, Eoin Doyle, Ruairi Murphy; Kyle Nolan, Michael Joyce, Brad Bolger. Subs: Dean Grennan for Bolger (h/t), Jack Foley for J Dundon (49), Jack Cummins for K Nolan (56), Graham Bolger for J Nolan (60).
Neil Martin; Ross O’Neill, Cian Doyle, Eoghan Dowling; Alan Corcoran, Darragh Nolan, Alan Wall; Sean Wall, Mark McDonald; Kealan Guidera, JP Treacy, Danny Doyle; TJ Darcy, Jake Doyle, Darren Crooks. Subs: Billy Fitzpatrick for Treacy (27), Adam Walsh for C Doyle (39), Aidan Dowling for McDonald (49).
Jonathan Murphy (St Mullins).
