C'Blayney 2-9Clontibret 0-11C'Blayney staged a strong final quarter rally to clinch victory in this reserve football championship final and at least partially lay the Clontibret bogey to rest in a game that was mundane for long periods yet built to an exciting finish. An opportunist goal by substitute Brendan McElroy in the 13th minute of the second-half kick started Castleblayney's revival and they went on to add five unanswered points between the 15th and 27th minutes to come from being four points down after nine minutes to taking a four points lead with three minutes of normal time remaining. Clontibret to their credit tried everything to salvage the situation but the momentum had now swung to Castleblayney and they close the game out to win by four points at the finish.Played in wintry conditions this was a contest where the fare on offer never rose to any great heights yet there was plenty of honest endeavour on both sides. Both sides too had to make enforced changes before the start. For Clontibret Noel Morgan aggravated an ankle injury in the pre-match warm-up while Pauric Boyle and Brendan Og Magennis were unavoidably absent.Castleblayney for their part had the start without regulars Stephen McGeough, Brian McGuinness and Ray McArdle but their replacements used the opportunity to put down a marker as to their ability. In the absence of Noel Morgan Clontibret relied almost exclusively on the accuracy of Shane McMahon who finished with seven points, four from frees while Aidan Ward at full forward and Mark Hanratty in the corner always posed a threat for Castleblayney.Castleblayney got off to a good start with a point by Mark Hanratty in the second minute and they went four up in the eighth minute when Gary Ward half volleyed to the Clontibret net after a good build up. Castleblayney though were not to score again as Clontibret took increasing control with Daithi McKeown and Eoin Greenan working hard in midfield and Colm Greenan posing the biggest threat driving forward. Shane McManus opened their account with a point from a free in the 11th minute and by the 22nd minute McMahon had drawn them level with three further points, one from a free. Another converted free by him in the 26th minute for a foul on Shane Mulligan put Clontibret in front for the first time and by the halfway stage they had gone two up with Eoin Greenan lofting over an excellent score from distance to leave the half-time score Clontibret 0-6, Castleblayney 1-1.Within 10 seconds of the restart Aidan Ward had reduced the margin to the minimum, Gary Ward the provider as C'Blayney started the second half with purpose. By the fourth minute though Clontibret were back to a three points lead with an excellent point by cornerback Colin Duffy who started the move in defence and finished it at the other end with Ronan Murphy, Daithi McKeown and Colm Greenan all involved. Four minutes into the second-half Shane McMahon was on target again, Eoin Greenan the provider and a minute later Shane Mulligan put Clontibret four in front after Eoin Greenan had created the opportunity with an excellently floated pass in to Ronan Murphy. The sides exchanged points in the seventh and ninth minutes, Aidan Ward with a point from a free for Castleblayney and Shane McMahon with a point from a free for Clontibret following a foul and Kieran Greenan who was well placed with an excellent cross from Sean Leonard.Things were looking good for Clontibret at this stage but four minutes later Castleblayney grabbed a real life line as Clontibret lost possession coming out of defence and Brendan McElroy capitalised after a quick passing movement to crash to the net past Arthur Morgan and throw the game wide open. Two minutes later in the 15th minute Mark Hanratty added a point to bring Castleblayney level and they then took the lead for the second time in the game in the 17th minute when Aidan Ward converted a free for a foul on Brendan McElroy.Entering the final 10 minutes Damien Hughes finished off a fine move that involved Brendan McElroy, Aidan Ward and Gary Ward to put Castleblayney two in front and with Adrian Irwin now driving them forward from midfield he himself got in on the scoring act with a great point in the 24th minute for a three points lead.Clontibret though were far from finished and an excellent field length move saw Shane McMahon put clear behind the cover but his shot was excellently parried by Pauric McNally at a time when a goal would have brought Clontibret back level and given them fresh impetus. With three minutes of normal time remaining Damien Hughes and Adrian Irwin conspired to create the opportunity for Aidan Ward who picked off an excellent score to put Castleblayney four in front and time now against Clontibret if they were to salvage the situation. Shane Mulligan gave them late hope when he reduced the margin to three with a point in the 30th minute but Castleblayney now had the scent of victory and they clinched it with an excellent score from Steven Lynch on the overlap, Adrian Irwin again the instigator of the move to leave four points between the sides at the final whistle.Teams and Scorers: C'Blayney: Pauric McNally, Mark McHugh, Keelan Duffy, Ultan Brady, Mark Burns, Liam McElroy, Stephen Lynch 0-1, Jim McHugh, Adrian Irwin 0-1, Gary Ward 1-0, Gerry Brady, Damien Hughes 0-1, Mark Hanratty 0-2, Aidan Ward 0-4 (2f), Keith Hill. Subs: Brendan McElroy 1-0 for M Burns, Chris Cronin for G Brady. Clontibret: Arthur Morgan, Kevin Ward, Eamon Ward, Colin Duffy 0-1, Fergal McGuigan, Padraig McGuigan, Aidan Leonard, Daithi McKeown, Eoin Greenan 0-1, Thomas Greene, Sean Leonard, Colm Greenan, Shane McMahon 0-7 (4f), Kieran Greenan, Shane Mulligan 0-2. Subs: Ronan Murphy for T Greenan, Stephen McGuigan for E Ward, Cathal Leonard for Aidan Leonard, Philip Rooney for F McGuigan. Referee: Nicky Calvery (Rockcorry).