Fairview Rangers see off Granville Rangers in Ger Ryan Youth Cup final

Ger Ryan Cup Final:

Fairview Rgs 2 Granville Rgs 0

THE first silverware of the season was awarded on Thursday evening when Fairview Rangers retained the Ger Ryan Cup, defeating neighbours Granville Rgs in the final at Jackman Park 

Two goals early in the first half, by Aaron Haugh and Josh McCarthy, separated the sides at the end and while Granville tried valiantly throughout, they were always chasing the game thereafter. 

Granville keeper Conor Browne had a superb outing, despite the result, and saved his side on numerous occasions with a string of top class saves.

The winners had classy players all around the park and none more so than midfielder Emmet Hehir, who went about his business with the minimum of fuss and the maximum of effect, keeping Granville away from his back four while keeping his forwards on the front foot.

Fairview Rgs went into the game as strong favourites as they ply their trade a division higher than Granville and things looked to be going to script in the opening couple of minutes when Aaron Haugh collected a clearance on the edge of the box and calmly slotted into the bottom corner. 

The goal knocked Granville back on their heels and Fairview would have been well out of sight but for saves by Browne from Jamie Hannon, Mark Ward and Josh McCarthy. 

The pressure eventually told and on 20 minutes, Haugh set up McCarthy who fired in from fifteen yards. 

Fairview continued to press and Browne saved well from Haugh before Calum Murphy struck the upright from close range.
After the restart, Hannon was again denied by Brown while at the other end a good run and shot by Darragh Carey was thwarted by Fairview keeper Jonathan Mullaney.

Brown saved a shot from Stephen Young and then made a stunning block to deny Mark War’s powerful header. 

Granville continued to battle and had their best chance when Blake Campbell’s free kick was partially cleared to Cameron Walsh and the tricky winger hit a shot that cannoned off the corner of crossbar and post to safety.

Fairview Rgs: Jonathan Mullaney; Jamie Young; Adam Keating; Ronan O'Kelly; Mark Ward; Emmet Hehir; Josh McCarthy; Stephen Young; Jamie Hannon; Calum Murphy; Aaron Haugh, Subs: Matthew Tepou; Jack Flanagan; Cameron O'Grady; Conor Eybulain; Jake Stack.

Granville Rgs: Conor Browne, Scott Grant, Joey Deegan, Jake Griffin, AJ O'Grady, Conor McMahon, Calum O'Hanlon, Josh Kiely, Blake Campbell, Darragh Carey, Cameron Walsh, Subs; Ryan O'Callaghan, Marc Gorey, Myles Hakiza, Ben Keogh, Evan Neville, Ryan Cooper.