Spink capture Division 6 title after goal fest with O'Dempsey's

Spink have been crowned ACFL Divison 6 champions after they came out on the right side of an eight-goal thriller with O’Dempsey’s this evening. Paul Simms kicked an impressive 2-4 as his side won by five points in the end.

Spink 5-11

O’Dempsey’s 3-12

The eventual victors got the game’s opening score as Brian Duggan dissected the posts in the opening minute. O’Dempsey’s replied instantly as John Paul Kehoe was fouled with Danny Donogher pointing the resulting free.

From the next kickout, O’Dempsey’s won the ball and Michael Lawlor scored a point from play. Mark Kehoe replied for Spink before O’Dempsey’s tagged on their third point of the contest courtesy of Dan Punch.

The first goal would soon follow as a tame effort from Dylan Byrne Gray looked to be dropping harmlessly into the keeper’s hands only for the ball to bounce and roll through Darren Kehoe’s legs to give Spink an early advantage.

O’Dempsey’s replied with a solid period of scores. Darragh Bannon spilt the posts before they too got their first green flag. Punch turning provider on this occasion as he teed up Kehoe to blast into the Spink net. Donogher added to his tally with another free.

The next two scores would be a goal for either side as Spink were awarded a penalty after Byrne Gray was fouled in the square. Simms stepped up to dispatch the penalty with ease. Sean McCormack was the maker of the second O’Dempsey’s goal as he set up Lawlor to drill the ball into the net.

Spink now down by three points would soon push themselves into a three-point advantage as they rattled in two goals in quick succession. Ryan Quinlan scoring a goal from half-back before Simms raised his second green flag.

Donogher tapped over this third free for O’Dempsey’s while Byrne Gray added to his earlier goal with a well-taken score. O’Dempsey’s ended the half with two points to leave one between the sides at the break.

The second-half began with both sides trading scores as Simms pointed a free for Spink and Donogher doing likewise for the men from Killenard. A fifth green flag was then raised for Spink as Byrne Gray took his tally to 2-1 and pushed his side into a five-point lead, one they wouldn’t relinquish.

Punch and a Donogher free left three between the sides yet again. The game would soon be level as Joe Finn rattled the back of the Spink net to leave the game in the melting pot.

Jamie Drury and two scores off the left boot of Simms pushed Spink three points ahead. Kehoe replied for O’Dempsey’s however it wasn’t to be for the Killenard men as Spink kicked the last three scores of the contest. 

Mark Kehoe and two super scores from Duggan meant the Divison 6 crown would be going back to Spink.