Banogue Strike Late To Claim Junior B Title Over Knockane

Banogue secured the Junior B football Championship in dramatic fashion, thanks to a stoppage time goal from forward Gary McInerney. The goal was heartbreaking from Knockane, who’d were appearing in a county final for the first time in since the 1942 senior football final. 

Adam Costelloe kicked six points, including five well taken frees for the winners. They trailed just once, as Knockane landed the opening score of the game from a Andrew Vance free. 

Disappointingly for Knockane, Vance was joined on the scoresheet by Darren Roche, as Banogue closed down the space that had saw them concede three goals in their semi-final victory over St. Patrick’s last Tuesday evening. 

Mark Fitzpatrick opened the scoring for the winners on nine minutes, as they lead 1-0 to 0-1. Points from Costelloe, McInerney and 2018 All Ireland winner David Reidy would add to this green flag as Knockane replied through the impressive Vance. 

Darren Roche, who ended with 1-1, finished a close range goal in the 24^th minute, after an initial shot was well saved by Banogue stopper Kevin Purcell. Despite this the men from east Limerick would trail 1-2 to 1-4 at half-time. 

Costelloe and Vance were both very accurate from frees in the opening exchanges of the second half. Seven frees, four from the ground from Costelloe and Banogue, and four from the hand for Vance and Knockane, left the score at 1-8 to 1-6 with 12 minutes to play, in favour of the south champions. 

Kieran Larkin would extend this with a fine score, before Vance, with a brace of frees made it a one point game. Now ravenous, Knockane were dominant in all sectors and levelled the game with normal time up from Darren Roche. 

But, there was one more twist, as the ball found was moved down the field to McInerney. With the point the obvious option, he went for goal and made no mistake. There was to be no time for Knockane to land a counter-punch, as the honours went to Banogue, who have already secured South League, County League and South Championship honours at Junior B level this year.