Four goals in seven minutes decisive for Castletown as St Patrick’s struggle

CORN NA BOINNE FINAL

IN the year of the two-pointer teams are almost forgetting to score goals but Castletown proved that three is much better than two as they blitzed St Patrick’s 4-16 to 1-11 in this one-sided Corn na Boinne final at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday, writes Sean Wall.

All four goals for the winner’s arrived in a seven minute spell just before half-time and left no one in any doubt about the outcome.

It ensured Castletown led 4-8 to 0-6 at the break and ended the game as a contest as a mainly young and inexperienced St Patrick’s never had a chance of getting back into contention in the second half.

It was Castletown first success in the competition and they will now be hoping to repeat the feat of their Meath Hill neighbours who followed up their Corn na Boinne win in 2024 by lifting the intermediate crown.

On this form Castletown will be among the select few with a chance of outright success mainly because they have players capable of cutting through opposing defences and picking off scores.

With Adam Matthews and Darragh Weldon in superb form they reeled off some delightful points, particularly in the early stages, and then when the goal opportunities arrived they took them as well.

The Stamullen men enjoyed their best spell between the 19th and 26th minute during which Neil O’Flaherty, Shane Landy (two) and Ben Sullivan all pointed to cut a six point gap back to two. At that stage there was the prospect of a competitive and closely-contested affair. Then the floodgates opened.

A delightful chip pass by Rian McConnell to Killian Smyth set up Matthews for a simple tap in goal on 26 minutes. Two minutes later McConnell took a pass from Darragh Kelly and finished low to the St Patrick’s net.

Another two minutes had passed when Weldon had an effort blocked by 'keeper Cian Murphy but McConnell was following up and bundled the ball over the goal line.

Then in first half added time Weldon rounded his marker and blasted to the net for goal number four.

St Patrick’s made three changes at the start of the second half and showed plenty of pride as Conor Black hit an early point and Shane Landy finished to the net from a Ben Sullivan pass.

Sullivan picked up an injury in the lead up to the goal and had to be replaced. St Patrick’s decided to empty their bench in that third quarter as they introduced no less than eight subs.

Darren Finney, Kevin Ross, McConnell and Weldon added to the Castletown tally in that period. Sub Conall O Fuaruisge (free) and John Curtis replied for St Patrick’s and then veteran Darren Hagan hit a superb two-pointer, the only one of the match.

Duiguid McDonagh had a chance of a second St Patrick’s goal but he shot straight at 'keeper Johnny Ginnitty. Just to emphasise their superiority Castletown ended the match with unanswered points from Finney, McConnell, Tom Reilly and Matthews.

Castletown – Johnny Ginnitty; Corey Curtis, Evan Hoey, Killian Price; Seamus Doherty, Eoin Reid, Darragh Kelly (0-1); Killian Smyth, Rian McConnell (2-2 one free); Darren Finney (0-2), Kevin Ross (0-2), Adam Matthews (1-4); Daniel Moran, Declan Cribbin, Darragh Weldon (1-4 two frees). Subs - Mark Kelly for Cribbin 45m, Rian Monaghan for Ross, Cormac Farrelly for Price both 55m, Tom Reilly (0-1) for Moran, William Bellew for Doherty both 57m, Aaron Young for Weldon, Cillian Oakes for Curtis, Aron Monaghan for Ginnitty all 58m.

St Patrick’s - Cian Murphy; David Stafford, Darragh Bracken, Liam Brennan; Conor Black (0-1), Ciaran Sullivan, Oisin Black; John Mannion (0-1), Shane Dowling; Barry Mooney, Sean Emmanuel, David Rothwell; Shane Landy (1-3 two frees), Neil O’Flaherty (0-1), Ben Sullivan (0-1 free). Subs - Darren Hagan (0-2 one two-pointer) for C Sullivan, Alex Curran for Stafford, Duiguid McDonagh for Rothwell all half-time, Conall O Fuaruisge (0-1 one free) for B Sullivan 37m, Eoghan O Fuaruisge for Mooney, John Curtis (0-1) for Dowling both 38m, Ben O’Reilly for Landy 40m, Dan Cooney Kearns for O’Flaherty 45m, David McQuillan for Bracken 51m, Shane Byrne for Brennan 58m.

Referee – Cormac Reilly (St Mary’s).