Oulart-the-Ballagh 2-12 Faythe Harriers 0-13:RORY JACOB struck with an early second-half goal to inspire Oulart-the-Ballagh to a fourth consecutive title at the expense of a battling Faythe Harriers outfit in front of an attendance of 5,300 at Wexford Park yesterday.

When Faythe went in trailing by just a single point at the break, and drew level within seconds of the restart, an upset looked possible. But just 57 seconds into the second half Oulart struck for the game’s crucial score. Jacob collected a long delivery and fired home an unstoppable goal to put his side firmly in control.

With defences on top the sides were deadlocked 0-2 each at the end of the opening quarter.

But Oulart hit four points on the trot through David Redmond, Garrett Sinnott, Nickey Kirwan (free) and Rory Jacob.

Faythe kept on battling hitting the final three points of the half through Colin Keeling, Paul Lambert and a Jim Berry free to trail 0-6 to 0-5 at the interval.

Nicky Kirwan’s 48th minute goal, after goalkeeper Ian Scallan had blocked a Dessie Mythen effort, sent the reigning champions six points clear. Faythe needed a goal but with Keith Rossiter giving an exhibition in Oulart’s defence that never looked likely. Jacob, Kirwan and David Redmond hit points to keep the champions comfortably in front.

OULART-THE-BALLAGH: B O’Connor; D Morton, K Rossiter, B Kehoe; C Goff, D Stamp, L Prendergast; D Redmond (0-3), E Moore; G Sinnott (0-1), F Cullen, D Mythen (0-1); R Jacob (1-3), P Murphy (0-1), N Kirwan (1-3, 2f). Subs: P Roche for Cullen; M Jacob for Moore; S Murphy for P Murphy.

FAYTHE HARRIERS: I Scallan; B Mulligan, D Mooney, A Lynch; C Keeling (0-1), R Kehoe, L Chin; J Berry (0-3, 2f), K Gore (0-5); W Mallon (0-1), S Howard, C Heffernan; P Lambert (0-1), P Farrell, R Clarke (0-2, 1f). Subs: M Campbell for Farrell; K Murphy for Howard.