Curtis penalty secures victory for Boyne Valley

A second-half penalty from the boot of Keith Curtis was the pivotal score for Boyne Valley as they edged out Blackwater by 1-13 to 0-14 in this thoroughly entertaining Regional FC encounter tonight, writes David Rispin.

The well-assembled Rathkenny, Slane, Walterstown and Bective combination possessed a wider spread of viable scoring options than their counterparts which was crucial in the overall outcome.

Blackwater opened the scoring through a well-measured Mickey Newman free, but it was wind assisted Boyne Valley who responded with a hat-trick of scores in quick succession from Rathkenny duo of Keith Curtis and David Curtis (two) to establish a 0-3 to 0-1 advantage.

Carnaross’ Paddy McDermott and Bective’s Cathal McConnell exchanged monster scores for their respective outfits prior to Liam Ward notching another for David Nolan’s Blackwater.

Indeed, the north Meath side ought to have been in front were it not for a superb Scott O’Sullivan save to deny Newman.

Marty Mulhall clipped over another down the other end for Cathal O Bric’s charges, but four consecutive points from Shane McDonnell, Cian O’Reilly, Ward and Brian O’Reilly back in front with time elapsing in the opening period.

Crucially for Boyne Valley though, they did restore parity at the interval thanks to a brace of points from the impressive Keith Curtis to leave proceedings finely poised at the break, 0-7 apiece.

David Curtis converted a free at the beginning of the second-half to put his Boyne Valley side in front again, but the lead was short lived as the Kilmainham pair of Dylan Morgan and Newman (free) wrestled back the initiative for the Kilmainham, Drumbaragh, St Michael’s and Carnaross team.

The topsy-turvy nature continued with David Curtis and the excellent Barry O’Connell nosing Boyne Valley into a 0-10 to 0-9 buffer.

Newman equalised momentarily from another free before the game’s significant moment arrived.

David Curtis was expertly denied on the goal line by Blackwater’s Harry O’Higgins but following consultation with his umpires, Derek Ryan awarded Boyne Valley a penalty.

Keith Curtis stepped up and confidently despatched the spot kick to the roof of the net before Walterstown’s Conor Farrelly established a clear four-point lead for Boyne Valley with a fisted effort.

Keith Curtis had a good opportunity to put the game beyond doubt, but his sliding effort drifted agonisingly wide.

Newman curled over another free to reduce the arrears to three, but substitute Brian O’Connell regained the four-point cushion for O Bric’s charges.

Sharpshooters Newman (two) and Keith Curtis swapped scores with fine points and despite a late score from Hughie Corcoran, Blackwater ran out of time with Boyne Valley clinging on to record a hard-earned victory following an enjoyable contest.

SCORERS

Boyne Valley - Keith Curtis 1-4 1-0 penalty, one free; David Curtis 0-4 two frees; Cathal McConnell 0-1; Marty Mulhall 0-1; Barry O’Connell 0-1; Brian O’Connell 0-1; Conor Farrelly 0-1.

Blackwater - Mickey Newman 0-6 five frees; Liam Ward 0-2; Paddy McDermott 0-1; Shane McDonnell 0-1; Cian O’Reilly 0-1; Brian O’Reilly 0-1; Dylan Morgan 0-1; Hughie Corcoran 0-1.

TEAMS

Boyne Valley - Scott O’Sullivan (Bective); Mark Byrne (Rathkenny), James O’Hare (Rathkenny), Sean O’Hare (Rathkenny); Cathal McConnell (Bective), Donagh Garvey (Bective), Mark Dowdall (Bective); Adam Quinn (Walterstown), Conor Farrelly (Walterstown); Matt Tully (Slane), Barry O’Connell (Walterstown), Con Smith (Bective); David Curtis (Rathkenny), Keith Curtis (Rathkenny), Marty Mulhall (Bective). Subs - John Davis (Walterstown) for O’Sullivan half-time, Lorcan O’Connor (Walterstown) for Quinn 37 mins, Alan Wall (Walterstown) for Tully 40m, Brian O’Connell (Walterstown) for Mulhall 45m, Ciaran Cox (Walterstown) for Dowdall 60m.

Blackwater - Johnny Lynch (Moynalty); Ciarán O’Reilly (St Michael’s), Matthew Halpin (St Michael’s), Ronan Lynch (Moynalty); Cian O’Reilly (Carnaross), Harry O’Higgins (Drumbaragh), Brian O’Reilly (St Michael’s); JB O’Reilly (St Michael’s), Frank O’Reilly (Carnaross); Paddy McDermott (Carnaross), Michael Newman (Kilmainham), Ger Morgan (Kilmainham); Shane McDonnell (St Michael’s), Dylan Morgan (Kilmainham), Liam Ward (Drumbaragh). Subs - Davy Lynch (St Michael’s) for JB O’Reilly 42 mins, Hughie Corcoran (Drumbaragh) for Ward 48m, Seanie Mahon (Kilmainham) for Morgan 50m, Luke Fagan (Drumbaragh) for Lynch 52m, Harry Dunne (St Michael’s) for McDermott 52m.

Referee - Derek Ryan (Na Fianna)