Cortown 1-11 St Colmcille's 0-10

Cortown registered back-to-back victories for the first time this season to save their bacon and relegate St Colmcille's third string back to Division 6 in the process.

Played in difficult conditions on Friday evening with a slippery surface and a swirling breeze, the hosts defended magnificently throughout to ensure a second win in just four days.

Playing with the wind at their backs in the first half, it was the North Meath side who made the brighter start. For the second game in a row, Stevie Clarke unleashed a monster two-pointer from 45 metres to give Cortown an early lead.

St Colmcille's responded prior to the agricultural Daragh O'Halloran improvising by punching the ball and almost the Goalkeeper over the crossbar from close range.

Hugh Staunton curled over a peach of a two-pointer with eagle-eyed Veteran referee Larry McEntee jolly on the spot, Cortown's second of the night to open up a 5-1 lead for Martin McGovern's charges. The sides exchanged scores then with Jake Coyne, fresh from his warm weather training camp, on target for the men in yellow.

Louis McKay struck a free for the seasiders but a sumptuous two-pointer from Theo Staunton - outside of the right boot from his wrong side, extending the Cortown advantage to five. McKay clipped his third free of the half to reduce the margin down to four at the break, 0-8 to 0-4 to the home team.

Wind-assisted second half, Cilles registered the first point thanks to the powerful Nigel Boardman. Brían Smith replied down the other end with a rugby-esq offload/fisted effort to reestablish the four point buffer.

McEvoy nailed a cracking two point free but crucially Cortown hit back with a free from Hugh Staunton to make it three again.

Some more descent from the side in blue gifted Staunton a free which was brought forward 50 metres and duly converted. Then a huge moment, Jake Coyne threaded a ball through the eye of the needle to Charlie Smith who blasted home from close range to put six between the teams.

To their credit, the plucky visitors kept probing and McKay landed a monster two point free followed by another to leave the gap back to three.

Staunton eased the nerves with a 20 metre free after the excellent Ciaran Keating was fouled. The East Meath side continued to try and batter down the door but continually ran into an inspired defence spearheaded by Barry Canning, Decky Clarke, Gavin Clarke and Josh Keating who were terrific.

The win ensures Cortown live to fight another day at least with Seneschalstown next on the agenda in a Relegation Play-Off. Back-to-back wins in the same week will give Cortown huge confidence for that and indeed the Championship which is looming large in the distance.

Cortown: Colm McGearty; Barry Canning, Declan Clarke, Gavin Clarke; Josh Keating, Stevie Clarke (0-2tp), Ciaran Keating; Hugh Staunton (0-4, two frees, one tp), Theo Staunton (0-2tp); Charlie Smith (1-0), Jake Coyne (0-1), Elliot Reilly; Anthony Boyle, Daragh O'Halloran (0-1), Brían Smith (0-1).

Sub: Conor Mulroe for Boyle.

Referee: Larry McEntee (Nobber)

Tweet

Most Read Stories