Beragh Lift Grade Three Under 21 Title, But Only Just.

Saturday 12.11.2011

Club

Beragh Red Knights rounded off their season by lifting the Grade Three under twenty one championship title this afternoon at Drumragh. Played on an excellent surface at Clanabogan they defeated reigning title holders Aghyaran thanks to a last minute free from former county minor Martin Rodgers on a final score of 0-11 to 1-07.
The Red Knights had looked to be in total control at the break as they led 0-07 to 0-01 with Rodgers 0-04, Christopher Devlin 0-02 and Eddie Molloy 0-01 getting their scores. A very disappointing first thirty minutes from Aghyaran yielded a solitary point from the boot of Aidan Connolly with a 45 in the twelfth minute. The North Tyrone lads just did not perform in that period as Beragh dominated the play with fine performances from Paddy Teague, Ryan O’Keefe and Cathal Owens in particular.
The second half saw a fired up display from Aghyaran as Ronan Mc Namee and Roger Leonard inspired a great comeback. In spite of virtually owning the ball at times however Aghyaran failed to convert their territorial supremacy into scores and with five minutes left they still trailed by five points. Then a goal from second half sub Darren Mc Menamin gave them hope and they were level within two minutes as Ronan Mc Namee landed two fabulous long range points.
It was all Aghyaran at that stage but Beragh showed tremendous courage and self belief to engineer another chance and Rodgers showed great nerve to land a difficult free and the title for his side.
It was a very entertaining second half between two well matched and committed sides which was excellently refereed by Sean Quinn.