Moynalty 0-17 Cortown 0-7

For the second year running, Cortown excited the race for the Junior B Championship at the penultimate stage falling to defeat at the hands of a strong Moynalty outfit on Thursday evening.

Played in front of a capacity crowd in an excellently presented Carnaross, Cortown were once again missing a host of first team regulars and contending with a four day turnaround from the Quarter-Final victory over Boardsmill.

Moynalty, under the stewardship of Derek O'Brien, were excellent and really fresh with a full squad to choose from - even Paudric O'Connor who was flown home from Australia earlier in the week.

It was nip and tuck for the opening quarter with Moynalty pegged back by scores from Hugh Staunton and Stevie Clarke to restore parity at 0-2 apiece after 15 minutes.

That's as good as it got for Martin McGovern's charges with Moynalty excelling for the remainder of the half. The influential James Cassidy was in outstanding form hitting a series of splendid points from all angles and distances. He was ably assisted by Paddy Byrne in opening up a 10-3 half time advantage, the sole riposte for Cortown coming in the form of a Tommy Smith free before the break.

Moynalty did not overexert themselves in the second period, in truth they didn't really have to. Byrne added a brace of pointed frees with Cormac Kearney clipping over too.

Smith brothers Tommy and Oisin notched a score each from play to keep the scoreboard ticking from a Cortown perspective. Both sets of goalkeepers showcased their undoubted class with a series of superb saves at either end.

Whilst Cassidy was unplayable in the opening half, Daragh Smith did a good job on the electrifying attacker in the second. Moynalty did share the load with scores coming from Anthont Nevin, John Brogan Ollie Sheridan and Ronan Lynch who was particularly impressive.

McGovern emptied his bench with Conor Mulroe and Stephen Fitzmaurice marking their respective introductions with quickfire points. It was all in vain though as Moynalty comfortably booked their place in the decider setting up a date with last year's beaten finalists Slane.

Cortown will take stock and reflect on a decent year which achieved promotion in the league, another Championship Semi-Final and plenty of young players graduated to adult football. Green shoots for the future!

Cortown: Colm McGearty; Barry Canning, Decky Clarke, Josh Keating; Kevin Muldoon, Charlie Smith, Elliot Reilly; Stevie Clarke (0-1), Declan Coyne; Theo Staunton, Tommy Smith (0-2, one free), Daragh Smith; Oisin Smith (0-1), Hugh Staunton (0-1), Brían Smith.

 

Subs: Colm Kerrigan for Reilly, John McGearty for Coyne, Mickey Costello for T Staunton, Conor Mulroe (0-1) for B Smith, Stephen Fitzmaurice (0-1) for T Smith.

Referee: Peter O'Halloran (Drumconrath)

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