Cortown 2-09

Navan O'Mahonys 1-10

Cortown made it back-to-back league wins for the first time this year with a hard-earned two-point victory over Navan O'Mahonys played through incessant rain on Sunday afternoon. 

It was a 14-aside contest due to the Hoops missing several regulars with Cortown sporting the new Kercon sponsored jerseys on the day. It was Cortown who played against a stiff first half and in a low-key opening the sides exchanged points with Kian Fitzsimons on target for the hosts. 

Hugh Staunton was denied a goal by a smart Niall Devlin stop and down the other end, the wind-assisted O'Mahonys struck two two-pointers in succession from Max Farrelly to open up a five point lead.

Cortown then registered a much needed goal following a beautiful team move. Tommy Smith and Staunton linked well with the latter playing in Fitzsimons who finished well from close range. 

The visitors responded well with the next two points to open back up a three point lead but Fitzsimons struck his second goal moments later. His initial shot for a point came canyoning back off the upright but the predatory instincts resulted in the corner forward blasting to the roof of the net. 

Jake Coyne clipped over his first point of the game to put Cortown in front for the first time on the stroke of half time - 2-2 to 0-7. 

The rain which started just before the break continued right through the second half and that took the sting out of the breeze that was present in the opening half. The home side did however open their account for the second half thanks to a superb individual score from Staunton who stung the palms of Devlin. 

The Navan side made it a one-point game but back-to-back scores but the excellent Staunton courtesy of great work from Paudie Rennicks and Luca Brady had the team in yellow back two in front. 

King of the Sheep Kevin Muldoon grafted well to create a chance for Fitzsimons who cushioned over to make it 2-6 to 0-8 approaching the three quarter mark. Muldoon should really have finished the game as a contest but he somehow butchered a guilt edged goal opportunity. 

Coyne and veteran Eoin Joyce exchanged frees to leave four between the teams. Then a rather speculative snapshot from Ivo Fitzherbert nestled into the bottom corner to make it a one-point game with less than five minutes remaining. 

Decky Coyne rolled back the years and his ability to claim primary position in the middle of the field was crucial to the hosts getting across the line. Half-time substitute Elliot Reilly clipped over the insurance score late on to seal a first home win of the campaign for Davy Wright's side. 

Cortown: John McGearty; Charlie Smith, Daragh O'Halloran; Gavin Clarke, Stevie Clarke, Luca Brady; Decky Coyne, Theo Staunton; Kevin Muldoon, Jake Coyne (0-3 two frees), Ciaran Keating; Tommy Smith, Kian Fitzsimons (2-2), Hugh Staunton (0-3).

Subs: Paudie Rennicks for T Smith, Elliot Reilly (0-1) for G Clarke, Micky Costello for C Smith, Aaron Smith for T Staunton. 

Referee: Seamus O'Connor (Carnaross)

 

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