Carnaross 2-14 Cortown 1-12

Not given a prayer by anyone in the build-up, Cortown produced a typically courageous and gutsy display with their backs to the wall but ultimately fell short against a relived Carnaross side on Thursday night. 

Played in front of a large, atmospheric crowd in Carlanstown - many of the supporters who travelled from the respective teams could be forgiven for expecting a rout based on the sides contrasting fortunes up to this point. This was not so, with Cortown lifting their levels quite considerably from the paltry performances of late. 

The men in yellow struck first blood with a Davy Rispin free after Hugh Staunton was stopped in his tracks. The red hot favourites settled and kicked four points on the spin to take a firm grip on proceedings with Dermot McGee on target.

However Cortown plugged away and a brace of Hugh Staunton frees had Cortown back within one approaching the end of the opening quarter. 

Paddy McDermott and Charlie Murphy added scores for the Emmet Daly/Donal Farrelly trained side but a Rispin effort along with a couple of neat efforts from Brían Smith had Cortown back within touching distance again. 

The hammer blow came in the dying embers of the opening period with the 'Ross' wing back ghosting through to slot past Colm McGearty and give his side a four point half-time advantage, 1-6 to 0-5. 

Cortown got the perfect start to the second half with Brían Smith landing a huge goal for Cortown. Oisin Smith's delivery dropped short and despite it taking his namesake a couple of bites, the veteran full forward eventually bundled over the goaline. 

Back to a one-point game but moments later a rare error from Colm McGearty was royally punished by Charlie Murphy who fired into an empty goal to help the 'Ross reestablish their four-point advantage. 

Further scores from Murphy, Yore and McDermott had the leaders six clear and seemingly on their way to a routine win. However, Martin McGovern's charges turned the screw and dominated the next 15 minutes with a quickfire brace of points from Oisin Smith and a series of frees from Rispin reducing the deficit right down to a solitary point with 5 minutes left on the clock. 

The elusive equaliser never arrived though and Carnaross used their bench and legs to good affect with Cian O'Reilly popping up late in the day with a couple of crucial scores to get his side home. 

The five point margin of victory certainly flatters Carnaross who will know they came through a serious test of their credentials to maintain their challenge. Cortown, disappointed as they will be, will have been pleased to restore some pride after two dreadful showings up to this, giving eternal hope for 2025.

Cortown: Colm McGearty; Barry Canning, Decky Clarke, Micky Costello; Daragh Smith, Theo Staunton, Ciaran Keating; Luca Brady, Stevie Clarke; Charlie Smith, Hugh Staunton (0-2 frees), Kevin Muldoon; Davy Rispin (0-6 five frees), Brían Smith (1-2), Oisin Smith (0-2).

Subs: Elliot Reilly for S Clarke, Daragh O'Halloran for Muldoon, Ivor O'Halloran for Costello. 

Referee: Paul Mooney (Syddan)

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