Lismore claim first silverware after exciting clash

Lismore 3-15 Ballygunner 1-16

They had five points to spare over arch-rivals Ballygunner in a free-scoring county senior league final.

The rancour and bitterness that marred the meeting of the clubs in a torrid county championship semi-final last September was conspicuous by its absence and there was no doubting the merits of Lismore's win. After dominating the opening half, they had to stave off a determined Gunners onslaught. It was more than coincidence that the fight-back began following the introduction of Andy Moloney a minute before the interval and Paul Flynn for the second half.

Not for the first time their county stars Dan Shanahan and Dave Bennett showed the way in attack, accounting for an impressive 1-11 total, but overall the real platform for their victory was provided by a magnificent half-back trio of Peter Howard, James O'Connor and William Cunningham. After being twice in arrears early on, Lismore grabbed the lead for the first time when Heneghan finished Peter Howard's long delivery to the net in the 13th minute. It was a lead they never relinquished.

Dan Shanahan's goal in the 28th minute gave them a commanding 2-10 to 0-6 half-time advantage and Paul Prendergast's well-struck goal within 90 seconds of the restart left the Gunners staring defeat in the face.

They staged a resurgence, with Moloney and Flynn leading the charge, but it was not quite enough to deny Lismore the honours.

Scorers: Lismore: D Bennett (0-7), D Shanahan (1-4), J Heneghan (1-1), P Prendergast (1-0), D Howard(0-2), E Quann (0-1).

Ballygunnner: B O'Keeffe (1-3), P Flynn (0-3), C Kehoe (0-2), T Power (0-2), A Moloney (0-2), F Hartley (0-2), B O'Sullivan, P Foley (0-1) each.

LISMORE: B Landers; M Landers, S Kearney, A Whelan; P Howard, J O'Connor, W Cunningham; B Leahy, D O'Gorman; D Shanahan, D Bennett, D Howard; A Ormonde, P Prendergast, J Heneghan. Subs: M Walsh for Leahy; E Quann for Ormonde; M O'Sullivan for M Landers; M Shanahan for Bennett (inj); M Prendergast for Whelan.

BALLYGUNNER: P Haran; N O'Donnell, W Kiely, M Kearney; P Hogan, F Hartley, P Carroll; C Kehoe, W Hutchinson; B Mullane, P Foley, T Power; B O'Keeffe, B O'Sullivan, D O'Sullivan. Subs; A Moloney for Hogan; P Flynn for Mullane; G Molloy for Hutchinson; D Clifford for B O'Sullivan.

Referee: John M Kelly (Shamrocks).