Cortown 0-15 Drumconrath 0-07

Cortown made it six wins from six maintaining their 100% record with a facile victory over Drumconrath on Saturday evening in Cortown. 

Cortown were missing several key men but such is the confidence and strength in depth within the squad at the moment, it made little difference as they continued their hot streak and relentless pursuit of an immediate return to Division 3. 

Conor Gleeson came in for the injured David 'Skipper' Coyne in the only change from the last round victory of Moylagh. Cortown started like the team full of confidence and they got Kenny Henry off his seat and changing the scoreboard early on when Sergeant Brían Smith tore through the heart of the Drums rearguard before wisely fisting over. The hosts doubled their lead soon after when a nice move starting with a burst from Gleeson who dished off to Davy Rispin, he offloaded to the onrushing Gary Coyne who got the score with the aid of the keeper's fingertips. 

It was soon to be three when Cormac Lindsay intelligently picked out Rispin who was cut down and Glen Loughran cooly slotted over the resulting free to firmly give the men in yellow the advantage. Drumconrath could only improve and they did when Daniel Byrne pointed a free. Cortown responded in kind when Rispin was fouled 14 yards from goal when he was just about to pull the trigger and Ryan O'Rourke did the rest tapping over. 

Drumconrath did manage another free from Alan Byrne. A man who's around for a similar timescale is the evergreen Glen Loughran who curled over exquisitely after Colm Kerrigan had been pushed on the back. You'd have to admire the work ethic of the Cortown defenders who were winning all of the 50/50's and setting up counter attacks. 

As the half began to draw to a close Cortown finally got going as O'Rourke fired over from 30 yards quickly followed by a textbook Loughran effort from 45 metres with the outside of his right boot.  At the end of a scrappy first half it was Cortown in control leading by 0-7 to 0-2. 

The home side extended their lead immediately after the restart when Colm Kerrigan burst through and dished off to Rispin who calmly pointed from close range. 

Richie Flanagan was suddenly dismissed just 5 minutes into the second half for a second bookable offense to which he could have little complaint. You'd have thought this would swing the pendulum towards the visitors but it was anything but as Coyne steered over his second with a fine right footed effort after some patient interplay including substitute Brian Faulkner who was introduced for Brian Casserly.  

Drumconrath kicked a few scores to threaten a comeback which never looked to be on.  Smith cut through the heart of the defence again and nonchalantly converted his second of the evening to keep the scoreboard ticking. Cortown if anything improved after the red card and Loughran landed another monster with the outside of the right punishing some wayward and erratic shooting from the visitors. 

It was becoming relentless as Smith ran through again but was brilliantly foiled by the young Drumconrath keeper at the expense of a point. Drums profligacy was shocking at times whilst at the other end Smith fisted over after tidy play from Kerrigan, Rispin and Loughran. 

There was no let up from the home side. O'Rourke landed an impressive effort from the ground. O'Rourke got his fourth soon after from an acute angle to close the scoring. 

This was a huge win for Cortown who have now gone 5 clear of the rivals Drumconrath with the comfortable win and Drumconrath's hopes of returning to Division 3 for 2018 looks in grave danger as they are now 3 points behind second placed Longwood and also behind Junior B duo of Slane and Kilbride respectively. The clubs will meet again later on in the Summer in the Junior A Championship which should be another fiery encounter. Cortown will be looking to maintain the winning streak next Saturday when they travel to Clonard.

Cortown: John McFadden, Stephen Clarke, Paddy Kerrigan, Ivor O'Halloran, Conor Gleeson, Daragh O'Halloran, Cormac Lindsay, Richie Flanagan, Brían Smith (0-4), Colm Kerrigan, Glen Loughran (0-4,3fs), Gary Coyne (0-2), Davy Rispin (0-1), Brian Casserly, Ryan O'Rourke (0-4,2fs). 

Subs: John McGearty for Clarke, Brian Faulkner for Coyne, Davy Wright for C Kerrigan, John Casserly for Loughran (BC)

Referee: Gus Martyn (Dunderry)

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