Clann na Banna and Glenn draw in Junior Final - 18/10/2003

JFC Final Clann na Banna 0-09 Gleann 2-03

Sunday 19th October 2003

A replay will be required to determine the destination of the 2003 Junior Football Championship after this final, played at Darragh Cross in windy conditions on a slippery surface, ended level. The large attendance witnessed a match that although exciting at the finish provided little flowing football over the hour. With Clann na Banna slow to settle, slack in defence and forwards failing to convert a number of early chances Gleann led 1-01 to no score after 10 minutes.

By the 25th minute Bann had levelled at 0-04 to 1-01, before immediately conceding a second goal after a mix-up in defence. Just before the break Bann scored from a free to reduce the Gleann lead to two points. A point a piece from Marty Morgan and Sean McCusker on the restart brought Bann level for the second time in the game, before Gleann edged ahead in the tenth minute 0-07 to 2-02. With substitutes Paddy Gillen and Mickey McAlister replacing Liam McCrum and Damian McNulty, Clann na Banna settled more in to the game and began to get on top. A Marty Morgan point levelled the game for the third time in the 15th minute and the same player then edged Bann ahead in the 21st minute 0-09 to 2-02. Both sides missed chances as time ticked down before Gleann were awarded a somewhat fortuitous free in the final minute. Following dissent in the Bann defence, referee Cole advanced the kick 10 meters, Gleann landed the equaliser and after the subsequent kick out the final whistle sounded.

Bann, although playing well below par twice retrieved a four-point deficit and to their credit held Gleann scoreless from the 10th to the 30th minute of the second half.