Cortown 0-18
Curraha 0-10

The two favourites for this year's Junior championship clashed in the tie of the year in a windswept Pairc Tailteann on Sunday lunchtime. The well fancied Curraha were expected to do a job on the Cortown men whoever Cortown often perform better when they have the tag of "underdogs" attached to them.

There was a lot of pressure on Cortown going into the match to both perform and get the result to avoid a play-off for a quarter final. Summerhill's win earlier in the day meant Cortown had to win or draw to avoid this and thankfully they did and will soon know their opponents in the quarters. As it is Cortown finished top of the ground with Curraha in second and Summerhill will have to settle for a play-off.

Cortown won the toss and played with the aid of a stiff breeze in the first period and made a bright start as David Rispin was fouled and Ryan O'Rourke tapped over for a routine point from the resulting free. The same player got his second soon after this time from play to give Cortown the perfect start. Curraha were resilient though and they dug in and made things difficult for Cortown with Meath panellist James McEntee leading the charge. He hit some great scores, none better than his terrific 45 off the ground against the wind.

Cortown kept the squeeze on and were determined to press home a lead with the gale force wind as Loughran pointed from a free after Brian Faulkner and Rispin did the dirty work. O'Rourke then hit an exhibition score from the tightest of angles to keep Cortown on the front foot. Brian Smith, Loughran and Kevin McGuiness were well on top in midfield at this stage and were winning plenty of ball with Colm Kerrigan and Daragh O'Halloran picking up vital breaks.

Some of the defending was top notch too, as Paddy Kerrigan, Richie Flanagan and Ivor O'Halloran making some heroic blocks and turnovers. In the goals John McFadden was absolutely outstanding making some top class saves to keep the goal in tack He foiled the Curraha forwards six times in total over the 60 minutes and his distribution was also exemplary and was a key man setting up attacks.

Curraha kept in touch but McGuiness improvised brilliantly from a long dangerous delivery from his fellow midfielder Loughran to flick it over the bar. Colm Kerrigan was also causing problems for Curraha going forward as he curled over a beauty with his right boot to boost the Cortown cause. Loughran then hit a marvellous score of his own with the outside of his right boot from all of 50 metres.

Curraha simply wouldn't go away and responded well before Daragh O'Halloran found Rispin with a hand pass and he turned his man to fire over for a point. Indiscipline was a feature of the Curraha game and a far out free was made much easier for O'Rourke after some backchat to referee Seamas O'Connor. That left 4 between the sides as they marched towards the tunnel for half time.

Cortown welcomed back John McGearty after the break for Stephen Fitzmaurice at the break. McGearty has been out through illness for the majority of the year so it was brilliant to see him back in the green and yellow of Cortown.

Although Curraha had the wind in the second half, it was Cortown who made the better start to the second half and got the opening score of the second period when quick thinking from Brian Smith earned him a point as he fisted over in front of a crowded goalmouth. Glen Loughran further extended the lead to 6 with another fine free from distance before Curraha woke up and tagged a score.

The defending was outstanding once more as Curraha moved McEntee into full forward and they still couldn't get by the rear guard and the outstanding McFadden. Goal chances were at a premium however Smith slipped in O'Rourke who didn't quite connect right and was foiled. Curraha received a black card soon after which didn't help their cause after their corner back lashed a kick at Rispin and once again O'Rourke was pinpoint accurate from the free to stretch the lead.

A couple of McEntee points and the introduction of Neil Shorthall who is only back from the States boosted Curraha and Cortown had to stand up and defend stoutly to ride the storm out. The raiding Kerrigan then struck again as Curraha threw on the experienced McManus as they went for broke. Loughran and O'Rourke added simple frees as Cortown maintained the cushion before Kerrigan sent over a remarkable third with his left! He's now doubled his tally for the year in one game and the other three came when he was a forward. 'Forward' is probably a loose term to describe Kerrigan but he is a useful wing back and a key cog for Cortown.

Stephen Clarke was very good going forward all day and I think everyone present in Pairc Tailteann would agree he got the score of the day right at the death. He was dispossessed just before pulling the trigger so instead of bending his back he pulled on it with a bog toe and the ball flew over the bar for the most extraordinary of scores.

When referee Seamas O'Connor blew the full time whistle Cortown emerged 8 point winners with the delight clear to see from the faces of the players and management. You could see in training last week that this group is together and in it together and have their sights set firmly on a Junior Championship. Cortown's last Junior came 21 years ago in 1993 and perhaps they will never have a better chance to add to it than this year.

John McFadden was Cortown's man of the match between the posts whilst the full backline were watertight and the half back line yielded scores with Kerrigan contributing 3. Loughran, McGuiness and Smith were magnificent in the midfield area whilst Faulkner and Rispin worked hard and won plenty of frees which O'Rourke polished off. This was a team effort if ever you've seen won and as the saying goes "Cortown will be hard beat."

Cortown: John McFadden, Ivor O'Halloran, Paddy Kerrigan, Stephen Clarke (0-1), Richie Flanagan, Daragh O'Halloran, Colm Kerrigan (0-3), Glen Loughran (0-5,4fs), Kevin McGuiness (0-1), Brian Faulkner, Brian Smith (0-1), Stephen Fitzmaurice, Ryan O'Rourke (0-6,4fs), Brian Casserly, David Rispin(0-1).

Subs: John McGearty for Fitzmaurice, Sylvie Skelton for Casserly, Tommy Smith for Faulkner. Tweet

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