Cortown 1-10
Clonard 0-9

Cortown booked their place in the final of this year's Meath Junior Championship final with a deserved four point victory over a stubborn Clonard side on Sunday lunchtime in Pairc Tailteann. They will meet Dunboyne on October 4th, precisely three weeks from now in Navan in a repeat of the 1993 junior final, 21 years ago a game Cortown emerged victorious from.

Dunboyne dispatched of Simonstown comfortably to set up a mouthwatering final which will no doubt attract a massive crowd to headquarters. It's fair to say there's a real feel good factor round Cortown these days and the preparation for the final should have the parish buzzing. After the said passing of Cortown native Rory O'Rourke during the week a win was crucial today to bring back the smiles. Rory was clearly looking down on his brother Barney, nephew Ryan and the rest of the Cortown team as he helped guide them into a championship final for the first time in 6 years.

When Richard Morris got the action underway it seemed as if Cortown were inspired as they made a blistering start with Ryan O'Rourke pointing from a free after John Casserly was fouled 21 yards from goal. Things got even better for Cortown and O'Rourke soon after when veteran full forward and the sole starter from Cortown's last championship win in 1996 fed O'Rourke who spun his man and finished cooly to the bottom corner.

Cortown were on a rampage and Tommy Smith who has forced himself into contention then hit an exhibition score from the tightest of angles to stretch the Cortown lead to five, 1-2 to 0-0. Then Davy Rispin got in on the action when Brian Smith dished the ball off and Rispin smashed over. He then turned provider for that man Tommy Smith who used the breeze brilliantly to fire over from range.

There was half a goal chance soon after when a long dangerous delivery from iconic midfielder Glen Loughran caused havoc in the Clonard backline and Butch Casserly reacted quickest but was foiled by some last ditch defending. From the resulting 45, Loughran made no mistake as the ball dropped beautifully over the black spot.

The large Cortown crowd were now in full voice as shouts from stalwarts such as Pat Lynch, Dutch Rennicks and of course the legend Johnny Henry who's tone is so familiar it has the Cortown players quaking in their boots every time the man opens his mouth!

Clonard finally found their range after almost 20 minutes of frustration as the growing influence of Meath star Adam Flanagan became evident for Kevin Foley's charges. Foley, who's in his 4 year at the helm has seen his side make steady progress as they began to mount towards the end of the first period.

However back came Cortown and John Casserly was assisting scores for fun as the old head came into play. This time he found Rispin who's almost 20 years younger than the evergreen Casserly and he raised the white flag for his second. Clonard hit a purple and hit several points in a row to reduce the deficit. Loughran got a timely point for Cortown just before the break to put double scores between the sides at the interval with Cortown leading 1-7 to 0-5.

Cortown have been in similar positions during this eventful campaign, going in with a lead but having to play against an almost gale force wind in the second half. This was no different and the players and management alike were well aware of this and the battle that lay ahead. But Cortown love a good old-fashioned battle and never back down from a fight!

The second half wasn't near as pretty as the first but some indecisive refereeing from Morris saw Clonard tag on a couple of points from frees. Brian Smith has some engine though and he made some brilliant bursts forward when others were tiring and he punted over to keep Cortown in the clear. O'Rourke got his first point from play as he clipped over with his left boot.

Clonard to their credit, never gave in...something that Cortown locals can relate to but some magnificent defending from Kevin McGuiness, Ivor O'Halloran, Colm Kerrigan and older brother Paddy left John McFadden with little or nothing to do. With the finishing line in sight, Flanagan was thrown in on the edge of the square but when the ball went in long he found Glen Loughran in his way. Loughran has pretty much seen it all in his day and a young pretender didn't faze the experienced pro in the slightest!

Brian Smith once again found a gap and elected to fist over for his second as Cortown went into their shell and there was simply nothing going to stop them proceeding to the final as experienced reinforcements in the shape of Sylvie Skelton and David 'Skipper' Coyne were called upon. Along with John McGearty and David Wright, they brought a freshness as well as a coolness and composure on the ball which was just required.

When Morris blew the full time whistle it was the people of Cortown who were celebrating and will continue to dream of a first championship in 18 long years, a barren run which is destined to end sooner rather than later. Brian Casserly has promised to get a championship haircut in the lead up to the final to "fit in" to the full forward line with O'Rourke and Rispin either side of the big man! Three wins from three in fortress Pairc Tailteann this year, surely has to be a positive and all the experience that comes with it...one thing for sure good and certain is that Cortown will be hard bet!

Cortown: John McFadden, Ivor O'Halloran, Paddy Kerrigan, Declan Clarke, Richie Flanagan, Daragh O'Halloran, Colm Kerrigan, Glen Loughran (0-2,1 45), Kevin McGuiness, Tommy Smith (0-2), Brian Smith (0-2), John Casserly, Ryan O'Rourke (1-2,1f), Brian Casserly, David Rispin (0-2). Subs: John McGearty for D O'Halloran, Sylvie Skelton for B Smith, David Wright for J Casserly, David Coyne for T Smith.

Clonard 0-9
Cortown 1-10

Clonard were in trouble from the start as they conceded 1-3 before they got on the scoreboard with a point from Bernard Reilly as they played against the wind in the JFC semi-final against Cortown in Pairc Tailteann on 14/09/14.A fine point from play from Ken Darby while Bernard Reilly tagged on three points to trail at half-time 0-5 to 1-8.

The second half saw Clonard produce a battling performance with points from Adrian Boland,Gary Raleigh, and Bernard Reilly to cut the deficit 0-9 to 1-9 in the final quarter but despite the best efforts of Ken Darby. Conor Foley .Eoin Treacy and Adam Flanagan while goalkeeper Paul Sheridan dealt competently with a number of high balls into the square, they ran out of time.

This was a great achievement for Clonard to make it to the semi-final with a mix of young talent and experienced campaigners in the panel who all made vital contributions of commitment and tenacity.

Clonard: P Sheridan, P Daly, A Farrell, E Treacy, E Connolly, C Foley, D Flanagan, G Foley, A Flanagan, J Fitzsimons, B Reilly (0-5), P McNevin, K Darby (0-1), J Dowdall, A Boland (0-2). Subs: G Raleigh (0-1) for J Fitzsimons, A Lynch for C Fitzsimons, C Fitzsimons for D Flanagan.

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