Carnaross take Junior B honours in thrilling finale

Emmet Daly's Carnaross were victorious over neighbours Moynalty in the JBFC final at Pairc Tailteann on Saturday

Carnaross 1-10

Moynalty 1-6

In an exciting encounter at Pairc Tailteann, Carnaross were crowned junior B champions as they came out on top of neighbours Moynalty. There was a strong breeze blowing away from the hospital end of HQ however in unusual circumstances, the team playing against the wind in both halves seemed to have the upper hand.

The eventual losers Moynalty, against the wind, looked the stronger of the sides in the opening 30 but failed to take advantage of the conditions in the second half. Niall O’Connor caused the Carnaross defenders a lot of issues in the first half but the ‘Ross’ finished out the half strong and the sides went in level at the break.

Crucially the first four scores of the second half went the way of Carnaross and they held a four-point advantage heading into the final quarter. Moynalty did eventually get going and reduced the gap back to two, but they could not get any closer to their rivals as Carnaross held on for a fantastic victory.

The game got off to an electric start. Straight from the throw in Moynalty burst forward and a loose ball was collected by James Cassidy and he made a perfectly placed pass into Niall O’Connor. O’Connor struck the ball beautifully to the back of the Carnaross net to give Moynalty a great early boost.

Carnaross responded almost immediately and a long-range free from Patrick McDermott dropped just short and into the path of Cillian Comaskey who fisted to the back of the Moynalty net. The sides were level with a goal apiece after only two minutes of play.

Cassidy’s shot from a wide angle bounced into the Carnaross square and over the bar to edge Moynalty back in front. Cassidy’s point was cancelled out by Darragh O’Reilly before a well-struck outside of the boot free from McDermott put Carnaross ahead for the first time.

Moynalty hit back with a score from their captain Paddy Byrne before a fantastic pass from Adam Reilly set up goalscorer Pauric O’Connor who polished off the score to send Moynalty back in front once more.

Carnaross net minder Liam Day was called into action as he denied Bryan McCormack a fantastic goal-scoring opportunity. The last score of the half went Carnaross’ way as a second McDermott free sent the sides in level at halftime with 1-3 each.

A long ball in from Tomas Plunkett fell nicely for Cillian Comiskey who tapped over two minutes into the second half to edge Carnaross ahead and that was followed by a third Patrick McDonnell free.

Two very well-hit points in quick succession courtesy of Paddy Morris put Carnaross four to the good at a crucial stage in the contest. With only 15 minutes left on the clock, Moynalty had to up the intensity and a lovely ball in from Pauric O’Connor set up James Cassidy for his second score.

A well-worked manuvere which included some great link-up play between Cassidy and Byrne was finished off by Joey Gilsenan as the gap between the sides was narrowed to two. Just when it looked like Moynalty were getting back on top of Carnaross, the Ross’ captain James O’Connor stepped up and kicked a wonder point to put three between them once more.

Pauric O’Connor and O’Reilly traded scores in the closing stages before Carnaross were reduced to 14 men when their talisman Patrick McDermott was shown a black card with two minutes left on the clock.

Moynalty pushed for a goal that would level the tie and they came close however the Carnaross defence did well to block Byrne's shot on goal and clear the danger. An injury-time O’Reilly free ensured that there would be no way back for Moynalty as Carnaross were confirmed as junior B champions.

Carnaross – Liam Day; Jack Roche, James O’Connor (0-1), Patrick Farnan; Shane Yore, Adam Kerins, Cormac Yore; Paddy Morris (0-2), Dermot McGee; Luke Gillic, Oisin Yore, Darragh O’Reilly (0-3, one free); Cillian Comaskey (1-1), Patrick McDermott (0-3), Cian O’Reilly. Subs – Tomas Plunkett for O Yore 17m, Charlie Murphy for Morris 46m, John Reilly for S Yore 57m, John McGee for C Yore 61m.

Moynalty – Johnny Lynch; Cormac Kearney, Liam Brogan, Richie Gilsenan; Dylan Farrelly, Adam Reilly, Joey Gilsenan (0-1); Niall O’Connor, Pauric O’Connor (1-2); Ronan Lynch, Paddy Byrne (0-1, one free), John Brogan; Bryan McCormack, James Cassidy (0-2), Paul Lynch. Subs – Jude Gilsenan for Lynch 39m, Anthony Nevin for J Brogan 42m, Kian Lynch for Byrne 48m, Paddy Byrne for Farrelly 57m, Ollie Sheridan for Joey Gilsenan 63m.

Referee - Andrew Lenehan (St Patrick's)