Curraha win jfc final thriller

Curraha captured the JFC title at Pairc Tailteann today when they edged out Dunsany in a thriller by 2-12 to 2-11 despite losing full back Conor Joyce to a red card close to the interval.

From the resultant penalty awarded by referee Patrick Nelis, Dunsany’s Mark Brennan finished to the net and his side trailed by 1-4 to 1-6 at the interval.

James McEntee was outstanding for Curraha and he finished that opening half with three points to his credit, but he also made the opening for Ciaran O’Hanrahan’s 12th minute goal.

Neil Shortall and Conor Moriarty also split the posts.

The second-half was about 10 seconds old when McEntee rifled the ball to the net, but Dunsany battled back and had smart saves from Niall Flynn to keep them in contention.

Shane Brennan got in for a late Dunsany goal to tie the scores at 2-9 each.

The sides traded a brace of points each before Shortall sent over the winning point.

Curraha will tackle Dunsany again in the A FL Div 4 final.

Curraha – Liam Hogan; Sean O’Hanrahan, Conor Joyce, Simon McDermott; Evan McGovern, Niall Murphy, Seamus Hogan; David Toner, Brian Joyce (0-1); James McEntee (1-4), Conor Moriarty (0-1 free), Neil Shortall (0-5 two frees); Danny Battersby, Phelim Dowling, Ciaran O’Hanrahan (1-1). Subs – Mark Jackson for Moriarty 29 mins, Locky Keogh for McGovern 45m, Gavin Coyle for Battersby 50m, Ian McManus for Joyce 57m.

Dunsany – Niall Flynn; Ryan Montague, Cathal Burke, Pauraic Burke; Patrick Dunne, Joseph Keena, Padraig Maguire; Shane Brennan (1-2), Eoin Marsh; Kevin Keena, Mark Brennan (1-3 penalty goal, three frees), Declan Smyth; Shane Walshe (0-5 four frees), Alan Kelly, Pierre Fox (0-1). Subs – Ger O’Neill for Marsh 21 mins,Charles Keena for Dunne 37m, Paddy McGovern for Kelly 42m.

Referee – Patrick Nelis (Kilmainham).