Cortown resisted a strong Dunboyne rally to claim the Teach na Teamhrach JFC title in this replayed final at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday.

Cortown ............ 1-11
Dunboyne ......... 1-10

Dunboyne might have claimed the Peter McDermott Cup but Michael Dunne's last gasp goal attempt from a 13-metre free skied over the bar for the game's final score.

Cortown were never headed. Having trailed by seven points after 35 minutes, Dunboyne with Dunne to the fore cut the gap to just two points by the 58th minute.

Then Conn Cleary's men made a decisive break when in the 59th minute when Ryan O'Rourke's cross was directed to the net by Breen Smith. That left it 1-11 to 0-9 and matters looked done and dusted.

To their credit, Dunboyne rallied again. Within seconds Phillip Darcy pulled a goal back for Conor O'Donoghue's charges, firing to the net from close range at the end of good move.

In stoppage Dunne hit the post with a point attempt as Cortown held on to become the first recipients of the cup that honours one of the most significant figures in the annals of the GAA.

Just before the Cortown wing-back Richie Flanagan was sent-off on receipt of his second yellow card.

Dunne led the charge as wind-assisted Dunboyne whittled down the deficit with the wind and sun assisting them. A Conor Doran point following an exchange with Barry Comer left just a goal in it early in the final quarter. The Dunboyne full-forward top scored with eight points. Three of his team mates contributed 1-2 between them.

With the wind blowing towards the town end behind them, Cortown opening score, a Glen Loughran free in the fifth minute, was cancelled out by a Niall Carolan effort shortly after. It was to be the only time the scores were tied in the game.

Cortown - who forced the replay - took control with Ryan O'Rourke 13th minute point being the highlight of the opening quarter. Experienced midfielder Glen Loughran complmented graft with four first-half scores from frees.

Good approach play led to Thomas Smith's score that left it 0-4 to 0-1 at the end of the opening quarter. O'Rourke's delivery led to David Rispin's point that increased Cortown's lead. When Loughran landed his second free, it was 0-6 to 0-1 20 minutes gone.

Dunboyne enjoyed a mini-revival with two Michael Dunne points (one free) while the manner in which Carolan's 21st minute effort went wide was indicative of the strength of the wind blowing from the old swimming pool end.

Dunne was off target from a close range free in the run-in to half-time. Just before the break Cortown improved their bid for the Peter McDermott Cup with points from O'Rourke (free) and Loughran (free).

Cortown - John McFadden, Ivor O'Halloran, Paddy Kerrigan, Declan Clarke; Richie Flanagan, Darragh O'Halloran, Colm Kerrigan (C); Glen Loughran (0-4fs), Kevin McGuinness; John McGearty, Breen Smith (1-0), Thomas Smith (0-1); Ryan O'Rourke (0-4, 0-3fs), Brian Casserly, David Rispin (0-2). Subs - John Casserly for Kerrigan (44), Brian Faulkner for Smith (44), Sylvie Skelton for B Casserly (53), David Wright for Rispin (59).

Dunboyne - Johnny O'Connor; Ciaran Boylan, Ben Carolan, Paul Hayes; Luke Harte, Stephen Hogan, Aodh Sweeney; Barry Comer, Padraig Curran (C); Conor Doran (0-1), Stephen Moran, Shane Comiskey; Niall Carolan (0-1), Michael Dunne (0-8, 6fs), David McEntee. Subs - David Clarke for McEntee (14), Padraig Gallagher for Sweeney (ht), Phillip Darcy (1-0) for Carolan (47), Kevin Gilligan for Carolan (57).

Referee - Jason Smyth (Navan O'Mahonys)

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