Cortown 2-07 Moylagh 0-9

Cortown registered their first win of this year's League Campaign, defeating Junior A side Moylagh in the process on Tuesday evening.

It was a typically physical and hard fought encounter between two traditional North Meath Clubs. There was a cagey nature to the first half, Moylagh had shot the lights out on Sunday against Navan O'Mahonys but it was evident from an early stage that they would not be afforded the same luxuries in Cortown's backyard.

Cortown opened the scoring thanks to an Oisin Smith effort following an offload from Hugh Staunton. Moylagh gradually settled into the contest and were ahead by the end of the first quarter thanks to talisman Sean Reilly.

Cortown hit back though, thanks to a brace of Oisin Smith frees. Darren Gibney made a vintage penetrative run from deep slicing over to restore parity.

It looked to be ebbing towards that conclusion at half time until Tommy Smith found himself in space and was picked out by Staunton. Smith's goalbound effort was parried away by Mattie Corrigan but Staunton followed in and finished emphatically - something similar to his newfound Chelsea hero Cole Palmer. The Green flag gave Cortown a 1-3 to 0-3 half time cushion.

Playing against a fairly stiff breeze in the second half, it was the hosts who opened up a four-point buffer thanks to Staunton riffling over from close range.

Moylagh grew into the game and reeled off four points unanswered to level things up. Oisin Smith curled over a score to give Cortown the narrow advantage, one that was unanimously approved by the umpires despite the protests of the visitors.

Reilly converted a free to level the sides prior to Mikey Rennicks flashing over and making an instant impact. Stephen Husband's charges tied things up again prior to Oisin Smith picking out Rispin for an advanced mark which was duly dispatched.

It was nip and tuck but Martin McGovern's men netted together a beautiful move involving Rennicks, Rispin, Daragh Smith and Charlie Smith with the latter kicking towards the post. However the shot dropped short but lurking at the back post was Trim Celtic ace Oisin Smith who palmed home from close range.

There was still time for Moylagh who probed but found a determined backline in their way with Stevie and Decky Clarke, Ciaran Keating and Barry Canning making telling contributions. Elliot Reilly who came on early in the piece did a good job on the influential Reilly whilst makeshift Goalkeeper Micky Costello was solid between the sticks and maintained his cleansheet until Peter O'Halloran's whistle sounded for the final time.

Congratulations to Ronan McGuirk who was introduced as a second half substitute, thus making his first team debut for the club.

Cortown: Micky Costello; Barry Canning, Decky Clarke, Aaron Smith; Daragh Smith, Charlie Smith, Ciaran Keating; Luca Brady, Daragh O'Halloran; Hugh Staunton (1-1), Stevie Clarke, Theo Staunton; Davy Rispin (0-1 mark), Tommy Smith, Oisin Smith (1-4 two frees).

Subs: Elliott Reilly for O'Halloran, Ronan McGuirk for A Smith, Mikey Rennicks (0-1) for T Smith.

Referee: Peter O'Halloran (Drumconrath)

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