Barry O'Driscoll's late point secures Castlemagner four in a row in Duhallow JAFC

Castlemagner 1-10 (1-1-8) Ballydesmond 1-9 (1-1-7)

CASTLEMAGNER maintained their hold of the Ashgrove Renewables Duhallow JAFC after overcoming a gritty Ballydesmond in a closely fought encounter at Newmarket on Saturday.

Crucially, the victors found their composure during the latter stages to complete a four-in-a-row, minor player Barry O’Driscoll stepped up to the plate with a winning point. 

Ballydesmond, appearing in domestic Junior A ranks for the first time since 2007, appeared well positioned after Niall Fleming netted a goal in the 47th min for a 1-9 to 1-5 advantage.

However, Castlemagner’s response was exemplary as it was emphatic, a strong bench contributed immensely, five points without reply rubber-stamped a 10th outright title.

Over the hour, the quality might have been suspect at times, that compensated by the endeavour and hunger of both sides. 

Castlemagner broke the deadlock early, a probing ball from Danny Linehan allowed Evan Magner net an opportunist goal.

Far from building on this encouraging platform, Castlemagner lost influence, Ballydesmond settled once team captain Paudie Breen pointed. 

That allowed Ballydesmond build up a head of steam, Castlemagner, prone to fouling saw Donncha O’Connor convert four frees including a two-pointer.

Some of the shooting at either end was poorly directed. Castlemagner waited a full 23 minutes for their second score, a free from Cormac O’Sullivan narrowed the arrears 0-8 to 1-1 at the interval.

On the restart, Castlemager threw down the gauntlet, O’Sullivan posted a two-pointer free before the sides traded points from Tim Howard and O’Sullivan. 

Now Castlemagner attacked in waves, man of the match O’Sullivan helped trim the deficit to the minimum.

Ballydesmond remained in the game and appeared to weather the storm, a counter-attack saw an effort from O’Connor fall short only for full forward Niall Fleming to win possession and blast to the net.

Now trailing by four, Castlemagner weren’t found wanting, the play of Tadhg Fitzmaurice, Anthony O’Leary and Danny Linehan created an impact as did the influence of substitutes James O’Riordan and Cian Cronin.

Indeed the fresher legs of the champions made a telling impression. Precision in attack led to significant points in quick succession from Linehan, O’Sullivan and Cronin as they forced parity.

With the excitement reaching fever pitch entering the latter stages, Castlemagner made the push, young O’Riordan displayed coolness to slot over the matchwinner. 

Time remained for Ballydesmond to revive their challenge and take the game to a replay only for a resolute Castlmagner defence to hold firm by circling the wagons and thwart a late bid for parity to ensure team skipper Daniel Murphy collected the silverware. 

Scorers for Castlemagner: Cormac O’Sullivan 0-6 (0-3 f, 1 tpf), E Magner 1-0, C Cronin 0-2, D Linehan (f), B O’Driscoll 0-1 each. 

Ballydesmond: D O’Connor 0-5 (0-3 f, 1 tpf), N Fleming 1-0, P Breen, K O’Connell, D O’Sullivan, T Howard 0-1 each. 

CASTLEMAGNER: T McAuliffe; A O’Keeffe, D Murphy, C Murphy; A O’Leary, T Fitzmaurice, J O’Rahilly; Conor O’Sullivan, B O’Driscoll; M O’Sullivan, S Cronin, D Linehan; Cormac O’Sullivan, E Magner, E O’Sullivan. 

Subs: J O’Riordan for E O’Sullivan (31), C Jones for M O’Sullivan (45), Cillian O’Sullivan for S Cronin (51), C Cronin for E Magner (51), D Lucey for A O’Keeffe (56). 

BALLYDESMOND: D Ring; S Murphy, T Fitzpatrick, C Linehan; D Kelly, D O’Callaghan, D O’Sullivan; K O’Connell, Donncha O’Connor; D Hayes, D Moynihan, T Howard; P Breen, N Fleming, L Sheehan. 

Subs: J Healy for C Linehan (ht), Donal O’Connor for D O’Sullivan (52 inj), T Myers for D Kelly (58), R Flynn for T Howard (61). 

Referee: Simon Stokes (Tullylease).