JFC C final: Blacks claim first adult title since 1984

November 03, 2019

Cormac Freeman gains possession for Walterstown as Aaron Dunphy and Dunderry's David Gilkeson look on during the Meath Junior C FC final at Pairc Tailteann

Walterstown laid the foundation for this well-deserved success with a strong first-half showing against Dunderry in the JFC C final at Pairc Tailteann early on Sunday afternoon.

Walterstown .......... 0-12
Dunderry ................ 1-4


In claiming Walterstown's first adult championship title since their 1984 SFC success, this team had to overcome the concession of a early goal and the harsh dismissal of sub Alan Wall near the end of the third quarter. 

What this success meant to Walterstown what emphasised by team captain Davy Maguire when accepting silverware that honours a legendary Meath Gael, Mattie Gilsenan. The winning captain showed due respect to Dunderry in his acceptance speech.

A man up, but five points down, 1-3 to 0-11, Dunderry used their numerical advantage to shore up their defence and only conceded on score thereafter.

Walterstown's final score -  and of the game - came courtesy of Stephen Davis' 48th minute free.

Dunderry were unable to break down a resolute Walterstown defence while the eventual winners found it impossible to break a numerical superior rearguard.

Walterstown shaded the scoring stakes in the second-half, 0-4 to 0-3. Full-forward Mark Foy's fetching ability was central to many of their scores including the first one on the resumption from Adam Barrett. 

By the 34th minute Robbie Barrett's men had added two further points, with Adam Cummins registering - assisted by Davis - before the latter pointed following some economic recylcling after Foy's goal attempt was block by Dunderry 'keeper Gareth Dooley. 

Wall's straight red card seemed harsh with some spectators wondering which way the free award was going before the dismissal took place. 

Walterstown responded positively to being a man down and didnt afford Dunderry another goal chance. 

Scores tied twice in the opening quarter during which time Declan Mahon's goal was the highlight such was the assuredness he showed in finishing to the net to leave it 1-1 to 0-1.

Three Walterstown points on the spin leveled matters for the second time and final time.

Walterstown might have had a 16th minute goal when Mark Foy's low shot was right and wide. The men in black posted four unanswered second-quarter points, some quality scores.

Eoin O'Leary's trio of points helped Walterstown to a double scores interval advantage, 0-8 to 1-1

Walterstown - Daniel Murphy; Dan Halligan, Davy Maguire (C), Cormac Freeman; Kashif Ali, Jonathan Murchan, Aaron Dunphy; Adam Cummins (0-1), Christopher Farrelly; Eoin O'Leary (0-3), Adam Barrett (0-1), Conor Lenehan (0-2); Stephen Davis (0-3, 1f), Mark Foy (0-2), Darren Finnegan. Subs - Alan Wall for Barrett (36), Aidan O'Connor for O'Leary(43), Paul Foy for Lenehan (52), Harry Beggy for Kashif Ali (57), Andrew Moran for Foy (57), Kit Reynolds for Davis (60 + 5)

Dunderry - Gareth Dooley; Kenny Fay, Darren Callaghan, Shane Maguire; Diarmuid Curran, Colm Harte, Conor Leavy; Christopher Fitzgerald, Seamus Harte; Tomas Conroy, Andy Coogan, Cormac Brady; Declan Mahon (1-0), Alex Walsh (0-1), Gary Clarke (0-3 fs). Subs - Peter Casey for Harte (36), David Gilkeson for Conroy (37), Ciaran Brady for Clarke (52), Eoghan Daly for Coogan (59)

Referee - Andrew Lenehan (St Patrick's)


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