Realt Na Mara 1-16 (17) Duleek Boys NS 0-9 (9)

The Cooney Cup final opened with two great scores from the boot of Sean O'Donoghue, followed by a great score from Eoghan McCloughan as Realt Na Mara raced into a 3 point lead.   Craig Moore who has been in great form in this years competition then responded with a great free after a foul on Glen Egers before he then kicked a great score from play to reduce the margin back to one point.  However it was beginning to be all Realt Na Mara dominance as Duleek Boys found it difficult to create chances and the Donacarney Boys made them pay with another 5 points without replay courtesy of Josh Hayes and 2 each from that man O'Donoghue and 2 from Craig Scully to see the first half end with the score Realt Na Mara 0-8 V Duleek Boys 0-2.

The 2nd half was a somewhat more tighter affair.  Realt Na Mara moved 8 points clear courtesy of two fine Daniel Scally points, before a score from Robert Duff reduced the margin back to seven points.  Daniel Scally then hit his 3rd of the match before been cancelled out by a Craig Moore free.  A fine score from captain Shaun Leonard saw him keep his side 8 points clear as Duleek struggled to wrestle control of the match.   However just when it seemed Duleek were all but beaten , they then hit 3 scores without reply to reduce the margin down to 5 points with fine scores from Craig Moore (2) and a fine Glen Egers point.   It seemed game on but just as Duleek seemed to have a foot in the door did the Donacarney Boys close it shut with 5 more  wonderful scores, three coming from the boot of Sean O'Donoghue and one each from Evan Morgan and Aaron Grant.   Duleek did respond with 3 of their own but it was all too late as Realt Na Mara won out as the final whistle went by 8 points

Gallant Losers Duleek Boys NS who lost out to Realt Na Mara in the 2016 Cooney Cup Final played in Pairc Tailteann

Realt Na Mara Scorers:   Sean O'Donoghue 0-7, Daniel Scally 0-3, Aaron Grant 1-0, Craig Scully 0-2, Eoghan McCloughan 0-1, Evan Morgan 0-1, Shaun Leaonard 0-1, Josh Hayes 0-1,

Duleek Boys NS Scorers:  Craig Moore 0-6, Glen Egers, 0-2, Robert Duff 0-1

Man Of The Match: This was an entertaining match in which Realt Na Mara were always in control.  At times the winners during the Cooney campaign allowed opposition teams back into matches in which they were on top but not this time as the Donacarney Boys dominated from start to finish and where deserving winners.   For Duleek Craig Moore, Robert Duff, and Glen Egers all worked hard to make in roads into Realt Na Mara's lead and did manage to reduce the score deficit in the 2nd half to 5 points.

For Realt Na Mara, Eoghan McCloughan played very well, as did Daniel Scally, Josh Hayes and Evan Morgan.   Euan Canniffe was outstanding at full back whislt Sean O'Donoghue's 1-7 tally would win most awards as he was wonderful throughout.  However Star man goes to the winning Captain Shaun Leonard.  Young Leonard was wonderful throughout and his busy and skillful ways meant he got himself on a lot of ball to get his team on the attack for large periods of the game.   From start to finish he never let up.  If he improves his finishing side of the game , young Leonard has a big future.  In the 2016 Cooney Cup Final Shaun Leonard led by example as Captain and was deserving of the Man of The Match award.

Referee: Eamon Barry

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