Champions
November 27, 2011
Twenty-eleven saw Latton scoop their third Monaghan SFC title in seven seasons (and fourth in all) - a phenomenal achievement for the O'Rahillys who have progressed from strength to strength since making the breakthrough in 2005. This year's success included victories over defending champions Clontibret O'Neills, an emerging Ballybay Pearses combo and rejuvenated traditional kingpins Scotstown on county final day … so clearly nobody could argue with the merit of it. Crucially, Latton have managed to keep their team fresh, with new blood coming through all the time (and making a key contribution in 2011), so there could be more landmark triumphs in the pipeline for this constantly-evolving side.
The 2011 Monaghan senior county football final took place at Inniskeen's Pairc Grattan on Sunday, October 9th. Latton and Scotstown served up a keenly-contested match in wet and windy conditions but it was the O'Rahillys who came out on the right end of a 1-6 to 0-8 scoreline, thanks to Hugh McElroy's clinically-dispatched 48th-minute penalty and an injury-time point from Owen Duffy. Duffy's intervention was uncanny as the corner forward had also struck a last-gasp winner to down Ballybay at the semi-final juncture.
It would be unfair to say that the conditions on county final day suited Latton - as they have proven themselves to be a team for all seasons. However, let's just say the conditions didn't hamper them as much as they might other sides. The champions of 2005 and 2008 (who had lost just one in 19 games during the run-up to the final) maintained their composure throughout and produced a solid team effort in what was always going to be a slow-burner. Defensive solidity was key to the win, with Stephen Fitzpatrick, Owen Coyle, Kieran Duffy and Edmund Lennon all defending like their very lives depended on it. Captain Aidan Farmer and county man Owen Lennon worked ferociously in the engine-room, embellishing their reputation as the county's most potent midfield pairing, while Hugh McElroy (1-2) and Shane Coyle (0-2) did most damage at the business end of the pitch.
Darren Hughes was superb for the losers, so it was always going to take something special to deny Scotstown their long-awaited return to glory. Bernard O'Brien had the winners ahead after only 15 seconds and McElroy added their second point. However, Scotstown replied on both occasions and then edged ahead at the midway point in the first half. Shane Coyle levelled it with Latton's only score of the second quarter but Scotstown struck the last score of the half to lead by 0-4 to 0-3 at the interval.
Already, it was clear that this match would be a slog to the finish. There was a feeling that a goal could prove decisive - but who would manage to rattle the net in such a tight contest?
Owen Duffy had a shot well saved by Scotstown 'keeper Rory Beggan at the start of the second period before McElroy levelled. The border club made a burst for the winning line with the next two points to lead by 0-6 to 0-4 in the final quarter. Twelve minutes from time, McElroy broke a high delivery down to Coyle, who was brought to ground close to goal. A penalty was awarded and McElroy (who would finish the campaign as Latton's top scorer with 1-11) used his vast experience to tremendous effect as he slotted his kick expertly into the bottom left corner. 1-4 to 0-6 but there would be four more scores as the intensity rose…
Hughes' 45 had Scotstown level again but a Shane Coyle free edged Latton back in front. Sean Farmer made a great intervention in the Latton goal to keep the opposition at bay but Kieran Hughes mustered an equaliser a minute into injury time. For all the world it looked like the SFC decider was heading for a replay but - amazingly - Latton worked the ball up to Owen Duffy who split the posts with an inspirational point at the end of a strong solo run.
It was an astonishing and fitting end to an intriguing contest and Aidan Farmer had the enviable task of collecting the Mick Duffy Cup from County Board chairman Paul Curran. Latton had done it again! Latton had won the SFC for the fourth time. Their first success came way back in 1930 but they have been a real force to reckon with of late, winning the title in 2005, '08 and '11 as well as contesting finals in 1996, 2003 and 2009.
This was the first time Latton and Scotstown clashed on county final day, with both teams having progressed to the decider without any need for the back door, Latton eking out narrow victories over Doohamlet, Clontibret and neighbours Ballybay, while Scotstown saw off Castleblayney, Ballybay and Magheracloone. In truth, it was one of the most closely-contested championships in the county in many years, with up to six clubs staking genuine claims for the silverware. Latton's form in the league was excellent (they progressed to the semi-finals) and it was interesting that both league meetings with Scotstown finished level, so the SFC final was destined to be close. En route to the final, Latton had demonstrated a happy knack of winning tight games (scoring 1-31 and conceding 1-25 in their three wins), so a match like this was tailor-made for them!
Latton - 2011 Monaghan senior football champions: S Farmer; P Fitzpatrick, E Lennon, O Coyle; D O'Brien, K Duffy, S Fitzpatrick; O Lennon, A Farmer (captain); S McElroy, B O'Brien (0-1), N Traynor; S Coyle (0-2), H McElroy (1-2), O Duffy (0-1). Subs: P Shannon for Traynor (43), K Hughes for P Fitzpatrick (56).
The opening round of the championship was played at Pearse Park, Ballybay on Saturday, July 23rd and Latton - managed this year by the backroom triumvirate of John O'Brien, Ruairi Ward and Finbar Fitzpatrick - avoided the scenic route with a 0-12 to 0-9 win over Doohamlet in a robust meeting. The champions-elect were without Owen Lennon but they still managed to bring their impressive run of unbeaten games in league and championship to eleven. Owen Coyle and Owen Duffy hit the first two points before Doohamlet rallied to move ahead. Duffy, Niall Traynor and Hugh McElroy ensured parity at the break, 0-5 each, but Shane Coyle and Bernard O'Brien (free) soon had Latton in charge after the restart and it was a lead they would maintain until the final whistle, even though Doohamlet refused to give up.
In the next round, against holders Clontibret at Inniskeen on Saturday, August 20th, Latton showed that they had champion quality when they fired over three unanswered points in the last ten minutes to win by 0-10 to 0-8, despite having been reduced to 14 men shortly after the turnaround. In a physical and hard-hitting encounter, Eoghan Coyle picked up his second yellow card two minutes into the second half, with Clontibret having taken the lead for the first time shortly before the break, 0-4 to 0-3. After the sending-off, the O'Neills moved three points clear but Latton knocked over three points in rapid succession via Owen Duffy, Dermot O'Brien and Hugh McElroy to tie it up with 47 minutes played, 0-7 apiece. Clontibret went back in front with eleven minutes left and Sean Farmer made two vital saves before Latton finished the game like a house of fire with scores from Owen Lennon (53) and Shane Coyle (55, 60).
Neighbours Ballybay were in the opposite corner for the semi-final at Emyvale on Saturday, September 24th and the Pearses - playing their first semi-final in 22 years - looked to have done enough to advance to the decider when leading by three points with time almost up. But, unbelievably, there was a crazy twist at the death as veteran Kevin Hughes announced his arrival off the bench with an equalising goal before Owen Duffy (0-3) clipped over the winning point in stoppage time. Ballybay struck first blood but Latton went in front with points from Duffy and Hugh McElroy (2) before a Pearses goal made it 1-1 to 0-3. The town side went on to lead by 1-4 to 0-4 and Sean Farmer kept Latton in it with a fine save before Shane Coyle (0-4) knocked over their first score in 22 minutes on the stroke of half time: 1-4 to 0-4. Despite two more Coyle minors, Ballybay remained three ahead. But points from Coyle and Duffy brought it back to a one-point game. Two more Ballybay points had them on the verge of their first final appearance in 24 years but Latton's grandstand finish meant it was they who would advance to a fifth county decider since 2003.
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