UNDER 21 FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIV. 1 FINAL. C'Blayney 1-6 Scotstown 0-9. Castleblayney and Scotstown must meet again to decide the destination of the McMahon Cup (U21 League division 1), after the sides finished level of at the end of what was overall a fairly disappointing affair in Emyvale on Saturday afternoon last. Played in difficult conditions this was a contest that never sparkled with a difficult wind and rain falling for most of the hour but even the adverse conditions were not totally responsible for the scrappy nature of the exchanges. Overall Castleblayney were probably the sharper team and they had a greater degree of hunger while Scotstown will have to look back on a game where they simply missed too many chances including a penalty in the 18th minute of the first half. Defences tended to dominate although mistakes abounded with both sides conceding far too many frees and committing too many basic errors. Martin McElroy led the example for Castleblayney and always looked dangerous getting good support from a hard working Dermot Malone on his right and Keith Hill on his left in Castleblayney's most effective line. Kieran Hughes was central to Scotstown's chances operating at centre back where he got good support from Barry McMeel and Michael Corrigan but it was up-front where Scotstown's threat failed to materialise with Daniel McNally unable to impose himself meaningfully at any stage. That though was as much to do with a very hard-working display by Paddy Mallon at full-back than anything else while Cormac Brady and Patrick Tavey in the halfback line were always seen to good effect. The sides were level twice in the opening quarter with Scotstown then having a great chance of establishing a foothold when they were awarded a penalty but Kieran Hughes' effort was well saved by Padraig McNally. Four minutes from the end of normal time in the first half Castleblayney were then awarded a penalty which was tucked away by Martin McElroy to give the Faughs a 1-3 to 0-4 half-time lead. By the end of the third quarter Scotstown had drawn level but entering the final 10 minutes Castleblayney had again opened a two points lead and could well have been further ahead but for a couple of missed chances. Entering the final minutes it was all hands on deck for Scotstown with Kieran Hughes firing over an excellent effort in the 26th minute and then converting a free two minutes into stoppage time to send the issue to repay. Teams and Scorers: C'Blayney: Padraig McNally, Stephen Lynch, Paddy mallon, Peter Treanor, Patrick Tavey, Cormac Brady, Darren daly, Kealan Duffy, Jerry Brady, Dermot Malone, Martin McElroy 1-4 (1p, 3f), Keith Hill 0-1, David Callan, Chris callan 0-1, Fergal Duffy. Subs: Cathal Flaherty for D Callan. Scotstown: Damien Murray, Fergal McPhillips, Emmet Caulfield, Michael Corrigan, James Connolly Hughes, Kieran Hughes 0-3 (2f), Barry McMeel, Niall McKenna 0-1, Gavin Turley, William Carroll 0-2 (1f), Shane Maguire, James Turley, Alan Heaphey, Daniel McNally, Mark McDevitt 0-3 (3f). Subs: Oran Heaphey for J Turley, James Turley for A Heaphey. Referee: Gary Owen McMahon (Aughnamullen). Tweet

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