St Mary's 6-18 Cortown 1-7

Cortown fell to a heavy defeat at the hands of St Mary's, with the visitors producing a ruthless attacking display on Easter Sunday in Donore. 

It was a bright start for Cortown as Paudie Rennicks opened the scoring, but momentum quickly swung. Three unanswered scores, including a two-point free from Andy Brien, edged St Mary’s in front. Jake Coyne responded well with an excellent effort from a tight angle to leave just a point between the sides.

Despite a Rennicks two-pointer cancelling out one at the other end, the game turned dramatically midway through the half. Cormac Victory struck twice in quick succession with two well-taken goals, before a defensive lapse from a kick-out allowed James Lynch to add a third. In a devastating spell, Cortown found themselves chasing a game that had suddenly slipped away.

Stephen Fitzmaurice tried to steady things with a free, and Ciarán Keating showed composure to convert from the penalty spot after a goal chance was denied illegally. However, St Mary’s continued to dominate, with Andy Brien’s long-range accuracy proving a major factor. Another Lynch goal before the break left the halftime score at 4-13 to 0-5.

The second half followed a similar pattern. Brien added a fifth goal early on after strong work from Victory, while Jake Coyne again showed intent with a fine point following a surging run by Theo Staunton. Fitzmaurice kept the scoreboard ticking from placed balls, but Cortown struggled to contain a clinical opposition attack.

Lynch was denied a hat-trick from the penalty spot thanks to a fine save by Colm McGearty, but Victory completed his own three-goal haul soon after, finishing neatly after being set up by Joey Greene.

In the end, St Mary’s attacking efficiency proved the difference, leaving Cortown with plenty to reflect on ahead of their next outing.

Cortown: Colm McGearty; Gavin Clarke, Decky Clarke, John McGearty; David Coyne, Theo Staunton, Markuss Watters; Declan Coyne, Stevie Clarke; Jake Coyne (0-2), Ciaran Keating (1-0 penalty), Kian Fitzsimons; Brían Smith, Stephen Fitzmaurice (0-3 frees), Paudie Rennicks (0-2).

Subs - Luca Brady for Watters, Aaron Smith for David Coyne, Conor Mulroe for Rennicks, Rennicks for Fitzmaurice. 

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