JFC final

Our bid for JFC honours ended in disappointment on Sunday when we lost to a slick and physically stronger Castletown-Finea/Coole/Whitehall side by 2-6 to 1-14 at TEG Cusack Park.

The winners made the most of a strong wind - which slackened as the game wore on - to race into a 1-3 to 0-1 lead after eight minutes after a Nigel Scally free had given us an early lead. We always seemed to be chasing the game after that as Kevin Brazil and captain Daniel McDermott pulled the strings for the men from the Cavan border.

Goal-scorer Brazil's first point cancelled out a Brendan McMahon effort before scores from Scally and David Fennell left a goal in it - 0-4 to 1-4 - at the end of the opening quarter.

Finea grabbed the next three points to double their lead before James Finnegan finished off a well-worked 25^th minute goal to bring us right back into contention. Crucially, Finea replied with the last two points of the half to take a 1-9 to 1-4 lead into the interval.

The green and golds restored their six-point lead before evergreen sub Keith Gorry opened our second half account. We looked to be fading out of it when Finea opened up a seven-point advantage, but a brilliant second goal by Finnegan after Paul Fennell had supplied the pass in the 43^rd minute had the Kilbeggan supporters on their feet again.

But once again Finea were able to hit back with two quick points before David Fennell converted a long-distance free for what proved to be the game's final score. A frustrating afternoon was compounded by an injury to Finnegan and a missed goal opportunity by the otherwise excellent Brendan Nannery in the closing stages.

We will lick our wounds over the next few days before focusing on the task of retaining our All-County League Division 3 status. We thank the players and the management for the hard work they put in throughout the campaign and our wonderful supporters who braved the wind and rain to turn out in such large numbers last Sunday. We also express our gratitude to our sponsors and to Ronan McCarthy of the M6 Service Centre for providing the catering in the Parish Centre after the final. This is by and large a young Kilbeggan team that will, no doubt, come back stronger next year.

Finally, congratulations to Castletown-Finea/Coole/Whitehall who are worthy junior champions for 2016.

Team: Thomas Barrett; Colin Draper, Warren Maher, David Marshall; Mel Kiernan, James Fox, Shaun Pidgeon; Brendan Nannery, Alan Fennell (captain); Sean Hanlon, Nigel Scally, Brendan McMahon; David Fennell, Paul Fennell, James Finnegan. Subs used: Keith Gorry, Dean Fitzgerald, John Dinnegan and Fergal Fox.

Greats wins for Padraig Egan / Eimear Scally

Our spirits were lifted somewhat on Sunday when word came through from O'Connor Park that clubman Padraig Egan had guided his native Ferbane to their first Offaly SFC final appearance in 18 years at Tullamore's expense. Ferbane's opponents in the final will be Rhode.

The club was also delighted to see Eimear Scally - Nigel's first cousin - help Cork to a record-equalling six-in-a-row of All-Ireland ladies football titles with victory over Dublin at Croke Park.

Lotto

Last week's lucky numbers were 7, 9, 12 and 13. Nigel Johnson and Larry Hanevy were the match 3 winners. Next Saturday's draw will take place in McNamara's where the jackpot will be €3,000.

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