A minimum margin final win over Dunsany secured the Valley Cafe A FL Division 4 title for Curraha at Pairc Tailteann early on Sunday afternoon.

Curraha  0-10 Dunsany  0-9

The victory completes a JFC-League and Tailteann Cup treble for the John O'Brien coached side who fended off a spirited Dunsany challenge in difficult conditions.

Curraha looked set to win with a few points to spare when on level terms, 0-5-each, at the break with wind advantage to come.

However, the JFC runners-up were first to show on the resumption with two Mark Brennan points (one free) to lead by 0-7 to 0-5 after 37 minutes.

Digging-in to curtail Curraha took its toll on Dunsany. Pointed frees from Conor Moriarity and Evan McGovern left it 0-7-all moments later.

Both sides battled bravely in the wet conditions. An excellent Neil Shortall effort from long range left Curraha 0-8 to 0-7 to the good midway through the half. A pointed James McEntee free doubled that advantage.

Some wrong options and missed chances prevented Curraha from settling matters sooner. Mark Brennan's accuracy from placed balls kept Dunsany in with a shout. Conor Brennan's men cut the deficit to the minimum twice in the latter stages but couldn't regain parity.

Some stout defending with Simon McDermott particularly impressive and good possession football in the final moments ensured Curraha prevailed.

Backed by the elements, Dunsany were first to show when Shane Walshe posted a third minute free. In the sixth minute Mark Brennan landed a second, with his right boot.

The pendulum swung Curraha's way with two points in quick succession to level matters for the first time in the 11th minute. Neil Shortall got the JFC winners off the mark. Mark Jackson quickly followed.

Around this time Jackson picked up a knock, but was able to resume. In the difficult conditions a scoring lull followed. It ended in the 17th minute with an excellent Mark Brennan effort free from about 50 metres. Perhaps it emphasised the strength of the elements.

The scores tied on two further occasions before Curraha hit the front for the first time in the 29th minute with Conor Moriarty's second pointed free in quick succession.

Kevin Keena's 30th minute effort levelled matters for the fourth time. Four additional minutes of warranted stoppage time were scoreless. The sides were deadlocked, 0-5-each, at the break.

In the lead-in to the break Curraha passed up goal chance when good combination by Conor Moriarty, Evan McGovern and Niall Moriarity failed to find the net. There was an unpleasant finale to the opening with players from both sides involved in unpleasantries that went on for over a minute and a half while mentors and players on both sides did their best to diffuse the situation.

Curraha - Liam Hogan; Mark Jackson (0-1), Niall Murphy, Seamus Hogan; Evan McGovern (0-1), Simon McDermott, Conor Moriarity (0-3 fs) ; Neil Shortall (0-2), Ian McManus; Gavin Coyle (C), Niall Moriarity, Phelim Dowling; David Coyle, Brian Murphy, James McEntee (0-2fs). Subs - Brian Joyce for N Moriarty (ht), Danny Battersby for D Coyle (42), Sean O'Hanrahan (0-1) for McManus (46), Locky Keogh for B Murphy (47), Andrew Battersby for C Moriarty (55), Andrew Coyle for G Coyle (60).

Dunsany - Niall Flynn; Ryan Montague, Cathal Burke, Pauric Burke; Emmet Ferguson, Joey Keena, Paddy McGovern; Shane Brennan ; Kevin Keena (0-1), Ger O'Neill; Mark Brennan (0-7, 5fs), Declan Smyth; Shane Walshe (0-1 f)s, Alan Kelly, Pierre Fox. Subs - Charlie Keena for Walshe (ht), Brian Flaherty for Kelly (42), Conor Harkin for C Burke (56), Darren Reilly for C Keena (58), Patrick Dunne for P Grimes (58).

Referee - Pat Clarke (Seneschalstown)

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