Grange return to North Tipp League in style

By Gary Culbert

The sleepy village of Killasmeestia was not quite that for long on Sunday morning, as almost 100 people descended onto the fantastic facilities of the newly reformed club for an 11.00am kick off in the drizzling rain, to witness what can only be described as a baptism of fire for Shinrone United ‘B’ in the quarter final of the Division 2 Shield.

Borris-in-Ossory and the surrounding area went 33 years without seeing the green and white of Grange United take to the field, so it was fitting that Jason McCormack & co did not make the crowd wait too long to see the opening goal on their return.

It came following a corner after just a couple of minutes, and following the script perfectly it was Jason McCormack who rose highest against his former club to start the rout.

Emmet Jones was next on the scoresheet inside the opening ten minutes. Jones and McCormack went on to take turns finding the net until it was 5-0 at the break and McCormack had his hat-trick.

The visitors pulled one back through James Kelly, then Darren Drennan came off the bench to score twice, before Jones finally completed his hat-trick to leave it 8-1. Dylan Power and Vinnie Cleere completed the route with two more goals before Robbie Nevin finally called a halt to the beating.

Grange are confident on the ball and are a physically strong side, and what is noteworthy is that they are not held back by all the negative aspects you would associate with a new team, they play like a bunch of players who have been playing together for ten years or more.

The Laois men also have an abundance of experience throughout the side, but most notably at the heart of defense where a former LOI player Brian Bowe lays down the law.

The only thing that could let down the ‘Ossory men is if they come up against a very pacy team on a vast pitch, so we wait with bated breath for their away day in Moneygall and any encounter with the pacy youngsters of Borrisoleigh.