WATCH: 'The group of players that we have amassed have been nothing short of exceptional' says Warrenpoint Town boss Gary Boyle

Warrenpoint Town were crowned Playr-Fit Premier Intermediate League champions this afternoon, after they defeated Portstewart 2-0 at Milltown.

Warrenpoint were superb in the first half, showing great energy and desire, and they won the majority of the 50-50 battles all over the park.

In the second half, the visitors applied more pressure, but Warrenpoint’s centre halves John Boyle and Chris Crane dominated the skies, headed clear every ball and held down the fort for their side.

We spoke to a delighted Point manager Gary Boyle post-match, and you can watch the interview in full for free at the link above!

Point off to a flyer

The first 15 minutes were cagey with the closest either side came to scoring coming when John Boyle’s over the top ball was just a fraction beyond the outstretched toe of Declan Loye.

However, Warrenpoint’s Loye didn’t have to wait too much longer before finding the opener, as on 18 minutes Diarmuid O’Hanlon drove down the left wing, got to the by-line and cut back a perfect cross, which Loye headed into the net from six yards out.

Portstewart’s Ryan Doherty then had two half chances, but after seeing his whipped free kick flicked past the post by Daniel Devine, he was once again denied by the Warrenpoint ‘keeper - this time Devine got down low to save his shot from the edge of the box.

Loye’s day came to an abrupt end on the half hour mark, as he had to be taken off due to a hamstring injury.

However, his replacement Eoghan Byrne made an immediate impact, as Michael Leddy put him in on goal, and he kept his composure, slotting past Paul Wells in the one on one, to make it 2-0 after 35 minutes.

The point then had a penalty shout when Matthew Robinson went down under Gareth McFadden’s challenge, but the referee waved away their appeals.

The home side had a chance to go three ahead before the break when Matthew Lynch picked out Leddy with a superb 50-yard pass, but his shot from a tight angle went wide.

Defensive effort does the business in the second half

In the second half, Portstewart had more of the ball, but the Point limited their clear cut chances, with a Ryan Doherty effort flying just over the closest they came to pulling one back.

Indeed, the home side had opportunities on the counter, with Jim O’Hanlon twice sending his namesake Diarmuid in behind, but he fired wide at both the far post and the near post with his chances.

Diarmuid O’Hanlon also almost turned provider, as he cut through the Portstewart midfield and put Leddy in on goal, but the goalkeeper did well to race out and deny him in a one on one.

It mattered little in the end, as Boyle’s side had done enough, and the full-time whistle was met with scenes of jubilation.

MATCH STATS

Warrenpoint Town: Daniel Devine, Callan Farley, Chris Crane, John Boyle, Matthew Lynch (Rory Powell 62), Jim O’Hanlon, Diarmuid O’Hanlon (Reece Doyle 89), Shane Haughey, Matthew Robinson, Declan Loye (Eoghan Byrne 31), Michael Leddy (Sean O’Hare 89).

Unused subs: Declan Murphy, Stuart Hutchinson, Ben Walker.

Portstewart: Paul Wells, Lee Forgrave (Curtis Hanson 86), Zac Dealey (Matthew McNeill HT), Gareth McFadden, Marc Doherty (Conor Donnelly, 62), Ryan Doherty (Joel Bradley 81) Rafferty McKay (Alexandre Silva Machado HT), Michael Stewart, Orrin McLaughlin, Ryan Doherty, Calvin McCallion.

Unused subs: Patrick Quigley, Ronan McAleer.

Referee: Mark Dillon.