BARROW RANGERS 1-13 WINDGAP 0-13

Barrow Rangers had to withstand a strong second half rally from a determined Windgap side before laying their hands on the Kevin Fennelly Memorial Cup following a hard fought game at Thomastown on Friday evening last. This was a game full of passion, commitment, pride and courage as both sides strove valiantly to emerge victorious.

You would give little for the chances of Windgap at the break but they upped their performance several notches in the second half and in the end it was Rangers that were hanging on grimly to a narrow lead.

Niall Doran had the first score for Windgap with a pointed free in the first minute. They found themselves ten points behind by the time they scored again in the 20^th minute as Rangers took over. With Paddy Barcoe and Thomas Brennan controlling the midfield area and Martin Bambrick working like a trooper all over the field, an endless supply of good ball was making its way towards the Windgap goal. Thomas Whitely scored two great points from out on the wing, Dermot Maher pointed a number of frees to add to a point from play. The crucial score came on fifteen minutes when Paddy Barcoe first timed a ball from midfield for Jason Holden to run on to and score a fine goal.

When Doran attempted a goal from a free on 20 minutes Eamon Hawe collected the rebound and add his sides second score. Windgap were coming more into the game at this stage and were outscoring Rangers two to one. Points from Sean Power and Philly Lonergan brought a reply from Cathal English. Dermot Maher replied to two further points from Cian Ryan and Doran to  leave Rangers 1-11 to 0-6 ahead at the break. What would have happened if  a Wingap goal from a long free had not been disallowed for a square infringement will never be known.

It was a totally renewed Windgap side that appeared for the second half. They thundered into the game right from the start. Philly Lonergan, Davy Power and Cian Ryan were piling on the pressure. Having said that Rangers forwards were guilty of three terrible wides before Dermot Maher pointed a free on three minutes. They would not score again until the third minute of injury time as the southern side assumed total control. Rangers work rate in the forward  line reduced dramatically with the result that pressure mounted on the Rangers defence.

To their credit all seven backs were magnificent during this period, putting their tired and sore bodies on the line to prevent a goal that would give an impetus to the Windgap sides attacking fortunes. Points from Philly Lonergan (2)Eamon Hawe, Niall Doran (3) and J J Phelan left just two points between the sides and when a Windgap player got through and heading goalwards, Kevin McDonald somehow got his body in the way and John Kealy picked the breaking ball and his mighty clearance reached Dermot Maher who put it over the bar. The Rangers team and followers were mightily relieved to hear the final whistle after an absorbing encounter.

Chairman of Bord na nÓg, Willie Dempsey presented the trophy to Rangers captain Dermot Maher.

Barrow Rangers: J J Staunton, Kevin McDonald, John Kealy, Sean McDonald, Willie Hennessy, Patrick Purcell, Ciaran Doyle, Paddy Barcoe, Thomas Brennan

(0-1), Martin Bambrick (0-1), Dermot Maher (0-7), Thomas Whitely (0-2),
Cathal English (0-2), Derek McEvoy, Jason Holden (1-0).
Subs: Michael Whitely, Joe Hughes

Windgap: James Murray, Sean Power, James Mackey, Davy Power, Philip Lonergan (0-3), Peter Landy, Ger Purcell, Cian Ryan (0-1), Eoin Cody, Tommy Lonergan, Tommy Fleming, Eamon Hawe (0-2), Niall Doran (0-5), Conor Lonergan, Sean Foley.

Subs: J J Phelan (0-2), Phil Landy, Aidan Mackey.

Referee: John Walsh