LANCASHIRE COUNTY FINAL  OISIN 2-08  JOHN MITCHEL'S 0-15 "The best game of football that has been seen in this county in years" That's how Paul Tolan chairman of the Lancashire county board described this epic battle between two of Britain's oldest clubs Oisin and John Mitchel's at a sun soaked Greenbank Road in Liverpool.John Mitchel's were out and out favourites from the start but Oisin were intent on upsetting the odds and travelled in numbers to Liverpool with one quest in mind and that was to retain their status in Lancashire and break the stranglehold of dominance that John Mitchel's have enjoyed for the past 2 years. Oisin set the pace from the start and within 2 minutes Richard Coss who received the ball from the brilliant Richard Fleming crashed the ball to the top corner to put Oisin a goal ahead. John Mitchel's responded with a free from Paddy Mulligan. Fleming again was instrumental in the next two scores for Oisin supplying Tom Hanvey who supplied Nathan Simpson to point with his less favoured left foot.Oisin when in possession were feeding the nifty Kevin Swift with low ball and he was causing mayhem to the John Mitchel's full back line.He won a free which he pointed and won another free which he took quickly to Damian Moane who slotted over from the left hand side. John Mitchell's were rattled due to quick intensity of the Oisin play and responded with a great move by McDermott, Kane and Mulligan interchanging passes and with Kane kicking goal bound a fabulous block by Ben McQuaid gave Mitchel's a 45m which they put wide.This was a warning to Oisin as John Mitchel's could break through at anytime.Ryan Mullan scored the Liverpool sides 2nd point and Mulligan pointed after Paul Melanopy was fouled on the 21m line. Melanopy was involved all the way in Mitchel's 4th point when he exchanged a one two with Shane McCann and slotted over,he was finding the going tough as the excellent Kieran Mullan the Oisin corner back rarely let him out of his clutches. John Mitchel's were slowly finding their rhythm and further points from Mulligan and Kane put a point between the teams. Oisin responded when Fleming won a free and took it quick to Swift who in turn supplied Damian Moane to point his 2nd from 30 yards  to put Oisin 1-05 to J Mitchel's 0-07 ahead at the break. Oisin started the second half when Fleming passed to Teague who was fouled and Swifty pointed the resulting free. This was the last point from Oisin for at least 11 minutes and this was costly.John Mitchel's scored 5 points without reply from Walsh who fisted over from close range,another Mulligan free and a rare mistake from Oisin Goalkeeper failing to hold a long delivery and Melanopy punished the error. Oisin showed a lack of discipline in the back line and were conceding easy frees and Paddy Mulligan added two more to make it 0-12 to 1-06. Swifty brought it back to 2 points when he point from another free he had won himself but Kevin Kane slotted over after winning a breaking ball.Mulligan again punished Oisin indiscipline with another free and with 14 minutes left it looked like there was no way back for Oisin but they kept fighting all the way. Kevin Swift hit the back of the net after J Mitchell's failed to clear their lines and Richard Fleming equalised with minutes remaining. But Kevin Kane had the last say and scored the winner for the Mitchel's to make it 2-08 to 0-015. Oisin had a glorious chance to bring the game into extra time when half back Ciaran O Connor  sliced an easy shot to go wide which was ultimately the last kick of the game.  The 400 strong crowd applauded both sides for their brilliant effort and witnessed Jimmy Morrin a long servant of the Mitchel's club present the Lancashire cup to a jubilant John McDermott.Paul Tolan also praised both teams who could be proud of the show they have put on today. John Mitchells turn their sights on a meeting with Gloucester champions next weekend in Pairc Na Heirann throw in at 2.30Pm. Scorers J Mitchel's: P Mulligan 0-08 (0-07 Frees) R Mullan 0-01 P Melanopy 0-02 K Kane 0-03 P Walsh 0-01 Scorers Oisin :         K Swift 1-04(0-04 Frees) D Moane 0-02 R Coss 1-0 NSimpson 0-01 R Fleming 0-01 Tweet

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