Hughes flurry downs gutsy Cortown

JUNIOR B FC

Battling to the bitter end of this tense Junior B FC semi-final, Cortown came up just short in the driving wind and rain on Friday night at a packed Paddy O’Brien Park against an excellent young St Mary’s outfit.

Clearly up for the scrap, the men in yellow started with great enthusiasm and determination kicking the opening three points. Veteran Daragh O’Halloran, a Hugh Staunton free and Oisin Smith were on target for the pumped-up north Meath side.

The Donore side settled themselves with points from Ben Loughran and Tadhg Dixon. Oisin Smith and Jake Coyne, who were constant threats in the first half, added to Cortown’s lead before a hat-trick of Andy Brien scores (two frees) drew the sides level again.

Coyne and Staunton fired over from close range before Brien landed St Mary’s first goal to put them ahead for the first time. Jake Coyne drew the teams level going into half time with the final kick of the half from a free to leave it 0-8 to 1-5.

Playing with the aid of a marginal breeze in the second period, Nicky Gogan’s men landed the first two-pointer from centre back Dylan Bagnall. There was no quit in Cortown as a brace from Coyne and one from Oisin Smith edged Martin McGovern’s team back in front approaching the end of the third quarter.

The excellent Brien expertly tucked away his second goal from 20 metres out which proved to be a significant body blow to Cortown who were in the ascendency up to that point.

Tommy Smith and a monster ‘45’ from Colm McGearty nosed Cortown back within touching distance but two late two-point efforts from Caimin Hughes swung the tide in favour of St Mary’s once and for all.

A four-point margin of defeat is slightly harsh on Cortown who led for long stretches, but the class of Brien and Hughes ultimately was decisive in the final quarter.

A typically gutsy performance from Cortown who left it all out there and can be immensely proud of the efforts having been destroyed by St Mary’s in the Tailteann Shield earlier in the year.

Cortown – Colm McGearty (0-1 ‘45’); Barry Canning, Decky Clarke, Gavin Clarke; Josh Keating, Stevie Clarke, Ciaran Keating; Theo Staunton, Luca Brady; Elliot Reilly, Hugh Staunton (0-2 free), Tommy Smith (0-1); Jake Coyne (0-5 two frees), Daragh O’Halloran (0-1), Oisin Smith (0-3). Subs – Charlie Smith for G Clarke, Kevin Muldoon for S Clarke, Brían Smith for O’Halloran, Mikey Rennicks for Brady, Micky Costello for T Staunton.

Referee - Martin Dawson (St Michaels).