Cortown 2-08
St Brigids 1-09

Cortown advanced to the last four of the Junior Championship for a second consecutive year after a dramatic victory over a battling St Brigids side in Kilskyre on Sunday evening. Everyone who was at the game couldn't of thought they'd see a game as action-packed as that of Dublin and Donegal which people were glued to before this clash but this game definitely surpassed that.

Cortown manager Con Cleary, a die-hard Dub had a twenty minute car drive to the game to get his emotions in check after a desperately disappointing day for the Dubs however his focus was no doubt on Cortown. A massive crowd turned out.

It's been a whirlwind week for the Ballinacree men who lost inspiration corner forward Fergal Hennessy to heart problems during last weeks Tailteann Cup final defeat to Bective. Cortown GFC would also like to wish Fergal a continued speedy recovery.

When referee Padraic Coyle threw the ball, it was clear this was going to be an out and out battle from start to finish and that it was as Cortown got the first score of the day playing with the breeze as a typical rampaging run from Brian Smith saw the ball slipped off to David Rispin who raised the first white flag of the day. Brigids responded in kind with the Kiernan's Oisin and Killian in particular causing problems for the Cortown defence. Rispin got his second score from range soon after with Glen Loughran providing the ammunition to Rispin who fired over.

Things took a turn for Cortown soon after when captain Colm Kerrigan was dismissed for a black card. Kerrigan was perhaps a little too eager to win possession and bomb up the field to score a fantasy point just like he did two weeks ago in Navan however this was not to be his day. Kerrigan was replaced by Declan Clarke who lost his place after a holiday to Spain.

Ryan O'Rourke found his range then as he cut inside and slipped it beautifully inside the upright. Brigids hit a purple patch and a few scores in a row saw them take the lead for the first time. Then came another major incident as Rispin latched onto a long typical delivery from Kevin McGuiness before feeding it into O'Rourke who rounded goalkeeper Darragh Geraghty who hauled down O'Rourke for a penalty. He got his marching orders and O'Rourke stepped up and dispatched the penalty kick with some aplomb. He simply doesn't miss and it was a perfect lift for Cortown.

They're joy was short lived however as Stephen Clarke received a second yellow which he can and will have no complaints with as Jody Devine's men drove forward with the extra man. Cue the response from midfield veteran's Loughran and McGuiness who were fantastic along with Paddy Kerrigan and Ivor O'Halloran in the backline. Cortown got a much needed score from a free as O'Rourke pointed after Rispin was fouled. They got another too when a brilliant ball into space from McGuiness found Rispin who spun and sailed his third over as Cortown went in two points up at the break. 

Immediately at the break, selector Trevor Coyne used Mayo as an example of what can be achieved with 14 men. Cortown were staring down the barrel of a desperately disappointing exit when Darragh O'Halloran received a second yellow five minutes into the second half and the writing was on the wall. Any other team you could safely write off but not Cortown, no the sheer spirit and character in the club and team is something you can't coach or train, it's simply breed into them!

Brigids put the minimum between the sides before Brian Smith tore through the Brigids rearguard and finished exquisitely in the corner as the large Cortown crowd raised a big roar and believe that Cortown could pull off a Houdini act. Despite having two extra backs Cortown and Smith became dominant in midfield whilst Brigids just couldn't deal with the dynamic duo, O'Rourke and Rispin who were a real thorn in the Ballinacree side all day long. Brigids replied with a goal of their own just after which cut the deficit again as this enthralling contest took yet another twist.

Rispin was tripped and up stepped one of the most reliable sources in Glen Loughran, the Cortown stalwart made no mistake and stretched the Cortown lead. Rispin's pace got him in soon after and hit a delicate right footed shot that resulted in another score before some determined play from Richie Flanagan got him a hard-earned free which O'Rourke made no mistake with for his third.

From here on in it was going to be a defensive effort from back to front as Con Cleary elected for the experience and knowhow of David 'Skipper' Coyne who certainly brought a calmness on the ball. Brigids kicked some terrible wides but the sheer defensive effort with 13 players for the majority of the second half was astonishing. Hearts were flying on the Cortown bench where things often get heated.

When Coyle's fulltime whistle finally went, the relief, excitement and passion on the faces was clear to see as Cortown celebrated together like a proper team should which further emphasises the spirit and togetherness in this group. As Pat Keane said the last time Cortown had two men sent off and won was a SFC quarter-final against Kells in 1997, surely a good omen?! In any case this team has made history of their own and a first junior for 21 years and first championship win for 18 years is still on the cards.

Paddy Kerrigan and Ivor O'Halloran stood up to the challenge and were heroic, Loughran and McGuiness in particular were absolutely outstanding in midfield, Brian Smith was a thorn going forward and got some brilliant ball in midfield with evergreen John Casserly and Brian Faulkner working their socks off for the cause. Brian Casserly was the intelligent head in between Rispin and O'Rourke who contributed a staggering 1-7 of Cortown's 2-8! One thing that is assured is Cortown will play Clonard in two weeks and my God "they'll be hard bet!!"

Cortown: John McFadden, Ivor O'Halloran, Paddy Kerrigan, Stephen Clarke, Richie Flanagan, Daragh O'Halloran, Colm Kerrigan, Glen Loughran (0-1f), Kevin McGuiness, Brian Faulkner, Brian Smith (1-0), John Casserly, Ryan O'Rourke (1-3,1p,2fs), Brian Casserly, David Rispin (0-4).

Subs: Declan Clarke for C Kerrigan (black card), David Coyne for B Casserly, Tommy Smith for Faulkner.

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