Barry Comer dedicates JFC final victory to his late wife
An emotional Dunboyne captain Barry Comer dedicated this evening's JFC final victory to his late wife in a post-match speech.
Dunboyne won the JFC title at Páirc Tailteann this evening following a well-contested decider that went to extra-time before they recorded a 2-11 to 1-12 victory over a gallant St Vincent's side.
Indeed St Vincent's had a glorious chance of winning in normal time, but were denied by superb save by Johnny O'Connor in the Dunboyne goals.
St Vincent's also had some early chances including one for a goal, but they failed to capitalise and by the end of the opening quarter they trailed by 0-1 to 0-4.
Wind-assisted Dunboyne were simply more accurate in the finishing department with only Tommy Field finding the range for the Ardcath men, but they finished the half with late points from Richard O'Sullivan and Shane O'Brien.
Dunboyne managed two points each from Jack Cox and Jason Daly with Barry Comer, Darragh Nolan and Sean McGrath adding the extras for a 0-7 to 0-3 interval advantage.
Dunboyne went further ahead after the resumption when Cox sent over, but then St Vincent's enjoyed a period of dominance as O'Sullivan finished a great move for a goal.
That energised the Ardcath men who forged ahead with points by Nigel Hand (two), Patrick McGill and O'Brien to lead by 1-7 to 0-8 at the end of the third quarter.
Dunboyne were in a bit of bother at that stage, but a fortunate goal from substitute Steven Moran got them going again and Cox followed with a good point.
However, St Vincent's found a response with a brace of pointed Field frees that tied the scores at 1-9 each with eight minutes remaining.
O'Sullivan looked to have won it for St Vincent's with an excellent point in added time, but Moran saved Dunboyne with an equalising point from a difficult free.
Darragh Nolan's goal gave Dunboyne an extra-time boost with Leo Corry claiming a point for St Vincent's in the opening period of extra-time.
Nigel Hand added another point just after the re-start to leave St Vincent's only a point adrift (1-12 to 2-10, but they just couldn't manage another score and Moran sent over for Dunboyne ahead of the final whistle.
Dunboyne - Johnny O'Connor; Padraig Lavin, Gary Timoney, Colin Clarke; Ben McBrien, Shane Westin, Eoin Ryan; Barry Comer (0-1), Sean McGarrell; David Clarke, Darragh Nolan (1-1), Patrick Conway; Jason Daly (0-2), Sean McGrath (0-1), Jack Cox (0-4).
Subs - Steven Moran (1-2 one free) for Conway 39 mins, Mark Daly for McGrath 46m, Ben Carolan for Ryan 56m, Johnny Meehan for Lavin 58m; extra-time - Fergal Watters for Clarke, Ronan Fitzmaurice for Clarke, Tommy O'Connor for Cox.
St Vincent's - Cathal Tallon; Ciaran Brangan, David Tallon, John Corry; Mark Crawley, Niall Tallon, Barry O'Sullivan; Robert Tallon, Ryan Hand; Shane O'Brien (0-2), Patrick Arnold, Nigel Hand (0-3); Richard O'Sullivan (1-2), Thomas Field (0-3 two frees), Patrick McGil (0-1).
Subs - Leo Corry (0-1) for McGill 45 mins, Daniel Murphy for B O'Sullivan 50m, Eoghan Corry for Arnold 52m, Martin Fox for R Tallon 55m, Jack Byrne for O'Brien 56m; extra-time - Andrew McEntee for Brangan, O'Brien for R Hand, Robert Lynch for Field, Field for McEntee, Declan O'Sullivan for R O'Sullivan.
Referee - Gerry McGivney (Simonstown Gaels).
SEE VIDEO CLIP OF PRESENTATION TO BARRY COMER