Slane 1-13 Cortown 0-5

A really positive League campaign came to a disappointing end for Cortown at the hands of the Slane juggernaut on a damp Thursday evening in the Ledwidge Country.

The first half mirrored the sides League Final encounter last year from the Division below with the Junior B side completely on top. Cortown were well off it and Matt Tully found the net to illustrate the home sides dominance.

Wind assisted, Des Teelin's men added further scores from Tadhg Martyn, Podge McGowan and Kyle Tallon - the man with the mullet.

Cortown's attacks were scarce but when they did manage to puncture the occasional hole in the Slane rearguard, they were wasteful more often than not.

Brían Smith did muster Cortown's sole score of the opening half with a nice effort from an acute angle following a nice pass from Luca Brady.

Cortown were indebted to the outstanding Colm McGearty who made a string of absolutely outstanding stops to deny Slane a larger lead than 1-8 to 0-1 at the break.

Clearly realising that their first half was well below par, Cortown started the second with far more vigour and impetus and proceeded to ask Slane some questions.

Davy Rispin kickstarted the mini-revival with a point and this was quickly followed with a lovely curling effort from distance from Ciaran Keating.

Some uncharacteristically poor shooting from Slane sharpshooters Tully, McGowan and Alan Harding gave the men in yellow further oxygen. Brady nipped in on goal but his goalbound shot was parried away by Slane netminder Braydon Colfer.

The Cortown revival was brought to an abrupt halt with Micky Costello receiving his marching orders 15 minutes from time following a second bookable offence.

Martyn, McGowan and an excellent point from substitute Danny Carolan added to the Slane tally. Rispin converted a brace of late frees to add some consolation to the scoreboard but Slane were very much home and hosed and on their way to another League final and promotion to Division 4 for 2024.

A frustrating end to what's been a really encouraging League campaign for Martin McGovern's charges. They will dust themselves down and aim towards Championship at the end of August.

Cortown: Colm McGearty; Charlie Smith, Barry Canning, Micky Costello; Ciaran Keating (0-1), Theo Staunton, Elliot Reilly; Luca Brady, Stevie Clarke; Kevin Muldoon, Oisin Smith, Mikey Rennicks; Davy Rispin (0-3 two frees), Brían Smith (0-1), Hugh Staunton.

Subs: John McGearty for Keating, Tommy Smith for B Smith, Ivor O'Halloran for O Smith.

Referee: Paul Mooney (Syddan)

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