JFC final: Cortown conjure up scores to force draw with Dunboyne

Dunboyne's Ben Carolan with David Rispin Cortown during the Meath JFC final at Pairc Tailteann.

A late rally yielding three unanswered points saw Cortown snatch a draw with 14-man Dunboyne in an exciting Teach na Teamhrach JFC final at Pairc Tailteann on Saturday night

Cortown  1-10
Dunboyne 1-10

A first JFC title since 1989 - when their first team was billeted at this level - seemed bound for Dunboyne until the tide turned against them in dramatic fashion in the latter stages.

Dunboyne moved 1-10 to 1-7 clear when Shane Comiskey posted his second point of the night, in the 54th minute.

Two minutes later influential full-forward Michael Dunne was red-carded for a challenge on an opponent that seemed accidental.

Making numerical advantage pay, Cortown posted points from Kevin McGuinness and David Rispin, the latter after Dunboyne 'keeper Johnny O'Connor parried sub John Casserly's goal attempt.

Amid much excitement, mostly generated by the Cortown contingent, the experienced Glen Loughran landed a 50-metre free into the town goal to tie the scores for the fifth time.

Had Cortown lost they would have been left to rue 13 wides to Dunboyne' five. One of the latter's came from a close range Michael Dunne free at the hospital end in the 33rd minute. A decision that bemused the Dunboyne full-forward. On consultation with the umpires, referee Martin Griffin deemed the effort wide.

Dunne didn't waste time bemoaning the decision and in the next play placed Stephen Moran for a point that left it 1-6 to 1-4.

Playing towards the town goal, Dunboyne were first to show with points from Shane Comiskey and Niall Carolan.

Cortown opened their account in the eighth minute with Ryan O'Rourke's expertly netted penalty awarded for a foul on Brian Casserly.

Cortown then proceeded to waste some scoring chances, notching five wides by the end of the opening quarter. They were made pay for those misses when a sweeping Dunboyne move end with Carolan fisting the ball to the net in the 17th minute.

That left it 1-2 to 1-1 to Dunboyne who doubled their lead with another Carolan point. Then it was Cortown's turn to trouble the scoreboard operator.

A Brian Casserly point was a followed by another O'Rourke score - a pointed free - that tied things up, 1-3 each, after 27 minutes.

There was still time for the sides to exchange scores. Barry Comer restored Dunboyne's lead. David Rispin tied things up for the second time, in stoppage time to leave it 1-4-each at the break. Cortown were the more wasteful in the opening period, recording seven wides to Dunboyne's four.

Dunboyne resumed on the front foot with David Clarke restoring their lead in the 31st minute. Stephen Moran doubled Dunboyne's lead moments later.

Cortown refused to yield and were back on terms twice before Dunboyne opened up a three-point gap, the most that was between the sides during the course of the game.

Then came the dramatic and controversial finale. Both sides still have a strong shout for possession of the Peter McDermott Cup.

Cortown - John McFadden; Ivor O'Halloran, Paddy Kerrigan, Declan Clarke; Richie Flanagan, Daire O'Halloran, Colm Kerrigan (C); Glen Loughran (0-2, 1f), Kevin McGuinness (0-1); Brian Faulkner, Breen Smith, Tommy Smith; Ryan O'Rourke (1-4, 1-0 pen, 0-3f), Brian Casserly (0-1), David Rispin (0-2). Subs - Stephen Clarke for Flanagan (23), John Casserly for Faulkner (37), Stephen Clarke for Kerrigan (39 blood sub), Kerrigan for Clarke (45), Sylvie Skelton for Smith (52), David Wright for B Casserly (57).

Dunboyne - Johnny O'Connor; Padraig Gallagher, Ben Carolan, Paul Hayes; Luke Harte, Stephen Hogan, Aodh Sweeney; Barry Comer (0-2), Padraig Curran (C); David Clarke (0-1), Stephen Moran (0-2), Shane Comiskey (0-2); Niall Carolan (1-2), Michael Dunne (0-1f), David McEntee. Subs - Conor Doran for Sweeney (45), Phillip Darcy for Clarke (53), Kevin Gilligan for Harte (60)

Referee - Martin Griffin (Simonstown)

***

Cortown report:

Cortown 1-10
Dunboyne 1-10

There are three things assured in life: Death, taxes and Cortown comebacks! What an exciting game it was indeed as a massive crowd flocked to Pairc Tailteann for the Junior final which turned out to be a pulsating game of football. It's the second time in two years that a replay will be needed to decide the destination of the Peter McDermott Cup.

The build-up to the final was a joy to behold and all that colour and spirit was brought to Navan as Cortown outnumbered their counterparts two to one in the terraces. There were a lot of eyebrows raised at the game being fixed for a Saturday evening but now it looks like both teams will get the opportunity to play on a Sunday afternoon before the Senior final in two weeks time.

Cortown made one change from the semi-final victory over Clonard with Brian Faulkner returning from injury replacing veteran John Casserly. Dunboyne made a blistering start to proceedings landing two points in double quick time to stun the Cortown men. Nerves were evident in the early stages for Cortown however when Brian Casserly was obstructed in the area, referee Martin Griffin duly pointed to the spot for a penalty. Ryan O'Rourke is lethal from the penalty spot and despite a big hand from Dunboyne keeper Johnny O'Connor, O'Rourke buried it to the corner.

It was the perfect reply to Dunboynes start and O'Rourke then pointed from a free when Dunboyne touched the ball on the ground. If Cortown's reply was good, Dunboyne's was emphatic as a sweeping move gave Niall Carolan the easiest of finishes to the net to put Dunboyne in front again. Cortown restored parity once again as David Rispin picked out O'Rourke with a pinpoint pass and he applied an excellent finish to raise another white flag.

Shane Comiskey was causing real problems with his direct style of running and everything Dunboyne created came through him and go to man Michael Dunne, who was marshalled brilliantly by Paddy Kerrigan. Another man who was kept quiet was David McEntee by Ivor O'Halloran who kept the youngster scoreless. Dunboyne hit back again with Carolan adding another.

Tommy Smith became potent with some fantastic selfless work on and off the ball as he dropped deeper as the half went on. Brian Casserly got a textbook Brian Casserly score on the turn as a result of a direct Glen Loughran free. Dunboyne must have thought they had earned a half time lead when Barry Cormer got a  point but deep into injury time, David Rispin curled over from 30 yards to leave the game finely poised going into the break, Cortown 1-4 Dunboyne 1-4.

Both going into the dressing rooms and out of them, Cortown got a terrific ovation from the adoring Cortown natives. They knew just as much as the players how important this game was and the 30 minutes that were to follow. Dunboyne started the second half the way they started the first as they opened up a lead again. O'Rourke reduced the deficit with a long range free after Brian Smith was fouled but Dunboyne kept that two point cushion in tack.

O'Connor then handled the ball on the ground and O'Rourke had the easiest of frees to point from 14 yards. The gap became three before a magnificent outside of the right boot shot from Loughran slipped inside the upright expertly. Then disaster struck for Cortown as Daragh O'Halloran received his marching orders with a second yellow and Comiskey made it three points in the difference with 7 minutes to go and it appeared Cortown were doomed.

However, anyone who watches Cortown should probably know at this stage Cortown are never ever doomed and once more they showed incredible desire and spirit to fight back whilst on the brink of defeat. A wreckless tackle on Paddy Kerrigan by Dunne resulted in him getting a straight red with 5 to play. Still it seemed hard to find a way back for the men in green but find a way they did. Kevin McGuiness hit an inspirational score to keep them alive.

Then  it got really interesting as John Casserly was foiled by O'Connor before Rispin elected to fist over for his second to put the bare minimum between the sides as spectators could barely watch as Martin O'Halloran announced there would be three added minutes at the end of the game. Cortown then got a free over 50 metres from goal...so up stepped the coolest man in Pairc Tailteann, who else but Glen Loughran who gave it everything as the ball dropped agonisingly over the crossbar as the grand old stand never collapsed in celebration.

Both sides had chances to win with some tremendous defending from O'Halloran and Declan Clarke keeping Dunboyne out. Overall, you'd have to say a draw was the fair result with Cortown kicking 13 wides to Dunboynes 6 although Dunboyne had claims for two points chalked off. It all means we have to go again presumably in two weeks time before the Senior football final which should yield an even bigger crowd for another 60 minutes of enthralling action all for the big prize of the Peter McDermott Cup. Cortown searching for their first championship in 18 years will be hard bet!!

Cortown: John McFadden, Ivor O'Halloran, Paddy Kerrigan, Declan Clarke, Richie Flanagan, Daragh O'Halloran, Colm Kerrigan, Glen Loughran (0-2,1f), Kevin McGuiness (0-1), Brian Faulkner, Brian Smith, Tommy Smith, Ryan O'Rourke (1-4,1p,3fs), Brian Casserly (0-1), David Rispin (0-2).

Subs: John McGearty for Flanagn 23 min, John Casserly for Faulkner 37 min, Stephen Clarke for C Kerrigan 39 min (blood sub), Kerrigan for Clarke 45 min, Sylvie Skelton for T Smith 53 min,  David Wright for B Casserly 57 min.