Corn na Boinne final: Ginnitty the hero as Castletown claim back to back title

April 04, 2026

Adam Matthews fires home Castletown's goal during the Corn na Boinne final against St. Pats at Martry

Castletown 1-14 St. Patrick 2-9

A penalty save in the last play of the game from keeper Johnny Ginnitty earned Castletown back to back Corn na Boinne titles after this very exciting final played at a splendid Martry.

These two met in last years final and Castletown were in full control of that game at Pairc Tailteann. For the opening twenty minutes of this tie the same scenario looked on the cards. The holders totally dominated possession and led 1-8 to 0-0.

Kevin Ross opened their account. The outstanding Rian McConnell raised the games first orange flag and also kicked two singles. Darragh Weldon got on the scoresheet before Adam Matthews finished to the Pats net. Dan Moran and Ross added further points and Castletown were in cruise control.

Shane Landy finally got the Stamullen men on the scoreboard from a close in free and his bother Donal gave his team a lifeline with a goal from the penalty spot just before Andrew Smith’s short whistle.

It was a different St. Pats in the second half. Early points from Jamie Murphy and Eoghan O Fuaruisge narrow the gap. O’Connell with a magnificent two pointer and a Ross free kept Castletown ticking over before Colm Nally’s men took control. 

Murphy added a brace and Conor Black got on the scoresheet before substitute Noah Boland pulled on a loose ball and rattle the Castletown net. County man Murphy landed a two pointer free and the game was level. Murphy with another from a free to give Pats the lead for the first time in the game and a great comeback looked on the cards.

Castletown had other ideas.  The men in Green and Gold had lost just one game in 2025 and 2026, last years IFC final, and were not going to give up their title easily. That man again McConnell with his third two pointer and another from Ross gave them a two point lead as the injury time minutes ticked away. Just before the full time whistle Donal Landy won a penalty but unlike his effort in the first half Johnny Ginnitty guessed right to pull off a fine save. The Castletown stalwart had time to clear his lines as the full time whistle sounded and spark wild scenes of jubilation. 

After the game Eamonn Barry presented the Corn na Boinne to Castletown joint captains Killian Markey and Rian McConnell.

Castletown scorers: Rain McConnell 0-8, Kevin Ross 0-4, Adam Matthews 1-0, Darragh Weldon 0-1, Dan Moran 0-1

St. Pats scorers: Jamie Murphy 0-6, Donal Landy 1-0, Noah Boland 1-0, Conor Black 0-1, Shane Landy 0-1, Eoghan O Fuaruisge 0-1

Referee Andrew Smith Dunshaughlin


Most Read Stories