by David Rispin

Oldcastle 3-12
Cortown 4-10

Cortown emerged victorious after a magnificent battle with Oldcastle in Millbrook on a chilly Monday evening. It was a vital win after a run of poor results in the B league decent Josee Rennicks' side performing extremely well in the Junior C championship. Cortown were without the services of the marvellous man-mountain Mervyn O'Brien who missed out with a knee injury and attended yoga instead. There was a fear there'd be no referee but thankfully Seamas O'Connor did arrive...albeit 15 minutes late!   

The sides traded scores early on in the contest with Brian Casserly tapping over after good work from Brian Faulkner and a lovely delivery from Gary Coyne. Incredibly, it was Coyne's first start in 13 months since April 2014 against Dunshaughlin in Navan. Despite taking longer than expected, it looks as if Coyne will make a successful recovery from the dreaded cruciate ligament injury.

A man that has done his cruciate several times before but looks none the worse for wear is the legendary Butch Casserly who swung is right boot from over towards the sideline and got his and Cortown's second score of the evening. At the other end, the 46 year old veteran goalkeeper Vino Keating made an excellent stop with his feet and Cortown broke at pace as that man Casserly was hauled down in the area for a penalty. Up stepped the set-piece specialist, Mr Stephen Fitzmaurice who dispatched it in confident fashion, similarly to his Aston Villa hero Christian Benteke!

The home side caused Cortown a few hairy moments at the back and could have got a couple of goals but settled for points instead. Cortown responded when the hardworking Faulkner found Fitzmaurice who in turn found Martin Henry who pointed courtesy of his trademark left boot.

Cortown defence were once again caught at sea none more so than Justin Reilly who went looking for glory and was caught out and Oldcastle struck for goal. A fantastic long-range free from Gary Coyne levelled up things again, a free Ciaran McDonald would be proud of with the outside of the left from 45 yards. Faulkner curled over the leading score after a brilliant ball over the top from Fitzmaurice.

They're lead was short lived however as the home side stole in for a second goal as Jose roared as Reilly who responded in kind...words not suitable for this kind of report! The home side went 4 up before Cortown woke up as Coyne kicked another smashing score from distance. The visitors didn't push on however and Oldcastle tagged on another couple of points to go in leading by 5 at the break, 2-8 to 1-6.

Whatever 'The Special One' said to his troops at the break it had a desired effect as straight after the restart some great improvisation from Fitzmaurice opened up the opportunity for Coyne who raised the white flag immediately. Cortown struck for gold then as Coyne found Casserly who dished off to Davy Wright who thundered a shot in off the underside of the crossbar for an emphatic finish!

From the following kick-out Wright who was just repositioning himself when he intercepted a poor kick-out and found Coyne who slotted home and within 5 minutes of the restart Cortown had kicked 2-1 without response and now lead by 2. The sides then traded scores with Casserly and Fitzmaurice setting up the inspired Coyne who kicked a cracker from the angle.

Quietly going about their jobs picking up plenty of breaks in the backline were David Coyne, Kevin Muldoon and John Casserly and distributing the deadly forwards. However, Oldcastle spearheaded by a young wing-forward who was terrific throughout got level once more as things got interesting again.

Jose looked towards his bench for inspiration and you'd have to say the decision to bring on Richie Reilly was an inspired move. Cortown hit the front again as Wright yielded a free which Fitzmaurice tapped over. However, Cortown don't or can't make it easy for themselves as Oldcastle smashed home their third goal of the night and it seemed Cortown had blown another lead.

Cortown struck another massive blow as Coyne who sold his 133 dummy of the night putting it on a plate for Davy Wright who tapped home. The Westmeath native usually starts producing his best form around this time of year as he finishes up work after preparing his students for leaving cert Maths in Eureka and begins to focus more on football and topping up his impeccable tan!

With the sides level heading towards the 60th minute mark, that combination of Fitzmaurice and Coyne paid dividends once more and he edged the boys in yellow in front. Seeing the game out was another massive obstacle as Reilly threw another ball away leading uproar on the line. The same enigma fouled with almost the last kick of the game but thankfully for Reilly the ball was put wide and O'Connor finally blew the full time whistle and Cortown held on for a huge win!

It's a great start to a massive week for Cortown with Intermediate championship against St Michaels on Friday evening and Junior C championship on Sunday afternoon against Meath Hill..two massive games for the club! Players have definitely gave first team management food for thought none more so than Keating and Reilly. Cortown had great displays from Muldoon, Casserly, Coyne and Wright.

Cortown: Vino Keating, Kevin Muldoon, David Coyne, Tomas Brien, Justin Reilly, John Casserly, Conor Clarke, Declan Coyne, Gary Coyne (1-5,1f), Brian Faulkner (0-1), Stephen Fitzmaurice (1-1,1p,1f), Martin Henry (0-1), Conor Whelan, Brian Casserly (0-2), Davy Wright (2-0). Subs: Ryan Henry for Faulkner, Justin Reilly for Whelan.

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