Castletown claim Corn na Boinne classic

Castletown................. 1-3-8 (17)

St Patrick's ................. 2-1-7 (15)

For sheer drama and excitement this Corn na Boinne final at the plush surroundings of Thomas Coogan Park, Martry last Friday night might not be surpassed for the remainder of the year, writes Sean Wall.

To borrow the famous catchphrase of comedian Frank Carson it was ‘a cracker.’ Castletown, with Sean Kelly and Sean Barry now at the helm, retained the title they won 12 months ago against the same opposition but not without getting the fright of their lives.

Just as they had done in last year’s decider it seemed as if they were about to put this game to bed in the opening half as they built up a 1-8 to 0-0 lead after 24 minutes. It was turning into a cakewalk for the north Meath side as they dominated throughout the pitch.

Despite the concession of a goal from the penalty spot on the approach to half-time Castletown led 1-8 to 1-1 at the break. St Patrick’s hit seven wides, dropped another couple of efforts short of the target and failed to score from play in what was a woeful opening half display.

The east Meath outfit restarted with no less than five changes in personal and they also had a changed mindset. They went further behind at the start of the second half but for most of the third quarter there was an amazing transformation both on the pitch and the scoreboard with Colm Nally’s charges on level terms 2-8 to 1-11 heading into the final quarter.

St Patrick’s then hit the front on 49 minutes and held that slender lead until indiscipline cost them a two-pointer with three minutes of normal time remaining. Castletown doubled their lead on the hour mark and that should have been that but as another well know comedian Jimmy Cricket was known to quip ‘and there’s more.’

The game was in the third minute of added time when St Patrick’s Donal Landy got possession behind his marker and his low drive from close range came off the butt of a post. Landy attempted to toe-poke the rebound to the net but agonisingly saw his second effort hit the other post. However referee Andrew Smith had spotted a foul as the St Patrick’s man gained possession and pointed to the penalty spot.

Landy faced up to the kick with the chance to win the trophy for his side for the second time in four years but his effort lacked the conviction of his first half penalty as 'keeper Jonathan Ginnitty got down to make a comfortable enough save before the final whistle sounded.

Castletown will wonder how they almost let the game slip from their grasp after they dominated to such an extent throughout the opening half. They hunted in packs throughout that first 30 minutes never allowing their opponents settle on the ball.

The likes of Evan Hoey, Killian Markey, Eoin Reid and Sean McKeown successfully blotted out the threat of St Patrick’s danger men Jamie Murphy, Donal Landy and Sean Emmanuel. Rian McConnell and Adam Wogan dominated the midfield exchanges while Adam Matthews, Kevin Ross and Darragh Weldon proved a constant threat in attack.

McConnell hit a brilliant two-pointer on seven minutes while Matthews pounced for their goal before the end of the opening quarter. St Patrick’s were bereft of ideas, especially in attack throughout the opening half and they had to wait 25 minutes for their only point from a Shane Landy free. Donal Landy gave his side a glimmer of hope two minutes before half-time when he dispatched a penalty to the net.

St Patrick’s opening point from play came courtesy of Jamie Murphy a minute after the restart and sub Eoghan Ó Fuaruisge added another before McConnell (two-pointer) and Ross had points for Castletown.

Murphy’s influence hauled St Patrick's back into contention and when Noah Boland pulled first-time on a loose ball it flew to the net and left them just two points in arrears. A two-pointer free from Murphy had the sides’ level on 46 minutes and the same player then edged his side ahead from another free.

They held that lead until Tom Flynn was penalised and for not handing the ball back gave McConnell the opportunity to hit another two-pointer. Ross put them two clear after weaving pass a couple of opponents before the curtain came down on a classic with that late penalty drama.

Castletown - Jonathan Ginnitty; Mark Young, Evan Hoey, Killian Markey; Sean McKeown, Eoin Reid, Killian Price; Rian McConnell (0-8 one free, one two-point free, two-two-pointers) Adam Wogan; Daragh Kelly, Adam Matthews (1-0), Dan Moran (0-1); Kevin Ross (0-4 two frees), Darragh Weldon (0-1), Mark Kelly. Subs - Conall Sheridan for Markey half-time, Darren Finney for D Kelly 35m, Seamus Doherty for Price 41m, William Bellew for Moran 43m, Gerard Farrelly for Matthews 55m.

St Patrick’s - Evan McDonnell; Alex Curran, David McQuillan, Liam Brennan; Aaron James, Luke Whearty, Cian Murphy; Sean Baxter, David Rothwell; Senan McKeon, Donal Landy (1-0 penalty), Sean Emmanuel; Shane Landy (0-1 free), Jamie Murphy (0-6 one two-point free, two frees), Conor Black (0-1). Subs - Tom Flynn for James, Shane Dowling for Whearty, Noah Boland (1-0) for C Murphy, Eoghan Ó Fuaruisge (0-1) for S Landy, Neil O’Flaherty for McKeon all half-time.

Referee - Andrew Smith (Dunshaughlin).