Castlemagner retain Duhallow title with Danny Linehan and Cormac O'Sullivan on song

Castlemagner 2-11 Knocknagree 0-7 

Castlemagner continue to rule the roost in Duhallow after retaining the Ashgrove Renewables JAFC title at a gale-lashed Lismire.

The champions were strong favourites and in the opening half, playing against the wind, they defied the elements. Their superiority saw them hit two goals and go in five points ahead.

Enjoying a commanding position, Castlemagner demonstrated the ambition and will to win to collect their eighth outright title and defy the best intentions of gritty opponents. They found their feet early, Cormac O’Sullivan posting a well-worked point before cleverly punching over his second score.

Having been outmanoeuvred in most sectors and finding it difficult to win possession, Knocknagree’s second team availed of a neat Daniel Murphy point from distance to open their account in the 12th minute. Castlemagner though had a positive response, Tadhg Fitzmaurice, Tadgh O’Riordan, Josh O’Connor and Danny Linehan contributing in key positions.

O’Connor stormed upfield to point and after 20 minutes, a good build-up saw Fitzmaurice’s effort blocked by Knocknagree keeper Damien Browne only for Conor Murphy to net the rebound.

Matters worsened for Knocknagree, an effort by Linehan dropped short into the wind but under the crossbar for a second goal. To their credit, Knocknagree stemmed the flow, four points from John F Daly, Chris White and Cathal O’Connor reduced the deficit, 2-4 to 0-5.

Rain along with the swirling wind meant the second half was played in horrendous conditions. The challengers tackled with relish during the third quarter but failed to create inroads in terms of adding to their tally.

Castlemagner answered with consecutive points from team captain Linehan. Knocknagree hung in and replied with a point from Daly to narrow the arrears, 2-6 to 0-6.

Still Castlemagner held the aces, adding to their tally thanks to their talismen Linehan and Cormac O’Sullivan.

Only one outcome was on the cards, the brave Knocknagree challenge had petered out with late points from Linehan and Man of the Match O’Sullivan ensured the black and amber ribbons decorated the silverware again, much to the delight of supporters.

Scorers for Castlemagner: D Linehan 1-5 (0-1 f), C O’Sullivan 0-5, C Murphy 1-0, J O’Connor 0-1.

Knocknagree: D Murphy 0-3 (0-2 f), J F Daly 0-2, C O’Connor, C White 0-1 each.

CASTLEMAGNER: K Holland; T Fitzmaurice, T O’Riordan, A O’Keeffe; J O’Connor, B Healy, J O’Riordan; Cillian O’Sullivan, D O’Sullivan; D Murphy, D Linehan, C Murphy; Cormac O’Sullivan, J Cott, D Gayer.

Subs: S Cronin for J Cott, L O’Riordan for B Healy, N Breen for D O’Sullivan, A O’Leary for T O’Riordan, E Magner for D Murphy, Conor O’Sullivan for D Gayer.

KNOCKNAGREE: D Browne; D D O’Connor, J O’Sullivan, S Daly; R O’Connor, D Cooper, N O’Connor; S O’Connor, C O’Connor; B Hickey, Daniel Murphy; T Long; C White, JF Daly, M Daly.

Subs: M Murphy for B Hickey, Dan Murphy for D Cooper (inj), P Roche for D D O’Connor, P Dineen for T Long.

Referee: J Kelleher (St John’s).