An
Riocht lift their first senior title - 06/10/2002 All
County Premier Reserve Football Championship Final 2002:
An Riocht 1.13 Burren
0.08 at Castlewellan
Taken
From the Newry Democrat  An
Riocht claimed their first adult football championship title in the clubs 20 year
history on Sunday past when in the Premier Reserve Championship Final they defeated
Burren by 1 - 13 to 0 - 08 at Castlewellan. The Kingdom survived a strong first
half from Burran to go in at half time leading 0 - 06 to 0 - 04.
 On
the restart it was An Riocht who played all the football. Aidan Flanagan would
have had an early goal but for a courageous block by Stephen O'Hara. The Kilkeel
side finally got the goal they deserved on the 47th minute following a sweeping
movement between Brian Annett, Jonny McBirney and Pat Small. Kevin Flanagan provided
the vital flick past Kevin Collins. This goal put An Riocht 1 - 10 to 0 - 05.
Soon after, Collins had to make a spectacular save from Michael Harper. Burren
battled back with scores from James McGovern and Barry Heaney but they had too
much to do to catch up. The Kingdom's victory was built on an accomplished half
back line of Liam Fitzpatrick, Aidan Flanagan and Colm Cunningham. Eamon O'Rourke,
Conrad McAlinden and Brian Annett also made significant contributions.
 Burren's
most impressive men were Stephen O'Hara, Declan Rooney, Marty McKibben and Anthony
McClorey but it was fitting that such loyal servants for An Riocht over the years
like Eamon O'Rourke, Seamus Sloan, Michael O'Rourke, Pat Fearon, and Conrad McAlinden
should finally lay hands on a championship medal.
An Riocht Team and
Scorers: Gavin Flanagan Michael Clarke Eamon ORourke Patrick Fearon, Liam
Fitzpatrick Aidan Flanagan Colm Cunningham, Michael Harper 0-01 and Patrick Small,
Kevin Flanagan 1-01 Conrad McAlinden 0-02 Johnny McBurney 0-01, Neil Doran 0-03
Michael ORourke Brian Annett 0-03. Subs used Stephen Sloan Sean McArdle Christopher
Mulligan.
Burren Scorers: Kevin Collins Stephen OHare Larry Duggan
Darren OHare, Jonathan Poland Chris McGovern Declan Rooney, Sean OHare and CP
McCartan 0-01, Anthony McClorey Declan McStay Kevin McGovern 0-01, Jimmie McAlinden
0-02 Stefan White 0-01 Martin McKibbin. Sub used Brian Murphy James McGovern 0-02
Barry Heaney 0-01 Paul McGovern.
Referee Eugene OHare (photos
scanned from Mourne Observer) 
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