Goals from McKeown and Lonergan help Powerstown to Tipperary Shield success

DIVISION 2 SHIELD FINAL

POWERSTOWN 2 ROSEGREEN RANGERS 0

A superb second half performance saw Powerstown put Rosegreen Rangers to the sword in the Division Two Shield final in Cahir on Friday evening last.

The first half was a close and tense affair, with the best chances on both sides coming from setpieces, and it took until ten minutes before the break to really test either keepers. Powerstown captain Mark Olney got on the end of a cross that was swung in by David Grace but his header fell into the clutches of the Rosegreen Rangers’ keeper and the chance was lost.

Rangers’ best chance of the half came from a free kick from deep, when a headed effort was flashed just over. The sides went to the break level at nil all.

It only took ten minutes of the second period to finally break the deadlock. Gino Lonergan and Darren Murphy combined down the left to find David Grace whose excellent trickery took him past the Rosegreen Rangers’ full back before he crossed to Brian McKeown to fire Powerstown in front.

Seven minutes later a moment of magic from Gino Lonergan doubled the lead. Cathal McKeown was fouled 30 yards from the Rosegreen Rangers’ goal and Lonergan stepped up to rifle the free kick into the top right corner with a spectacular effort.

Aaron Kiely was unlucky not to put one more on the score sheet 15 minutes from time when David Grace’s inch perfect cross was headed off the bar.

Brian McKeown also hit the bar two minutes later, again with a header. Powerstown continued to create more chances but the game ended with just the two goals to the delight of the travelling Powerstown fans.

The Clonmel outfit can now look forward to trying to make their mark in the First Division next season, a wonderful achievement for such a new club.