Fast start crucial as Mayfield beat Douglas in Seandún JAFC semi-final

Mayfield 2-13 (2-3-7) Douglas 0-14 (0-2-10)

Holders Douglas have surrendered their AOS Security Junior A Football crown as they were defeated by 2023 champions Mayfield in their semi-final at Ballinlough. 

This result has set up a repeat of the 2023 decider, where Mayfield will meet Nemo Rangers. This game was dictated by the wind as Mayfield got the game’s two decisive goals in the opening half, but were outscored 0-11 to 0-5 after the break.

Mayfield had Douglas pinned back from the start, but wayward shooting was proving to be their undoing. 

Mayfield opened the scoring in the fifth minute when Dilan O’Donovan won possession from a Douglas kick-out to set up Nicky Kelly for the game’s opening goal. They continued to have Douglas pinned back as MJ Coffey landed a two-pointer. This was followed by a point from play by Joey Gibson, which left them leading 1-3 to 0-0.

Douglas began to turn the screw as Eoin O’Flynn opened their account with a point from play. This was followed by a free by Daniel Lenihan, which reduced the deficit to four points.

Persistent fouling was proving to be costly for both sides. Chris O’Keeffe and Lenihan converted a free each for Douglas. Dilan O’Donovan replied with a pointed free and Gibson got a two-pointer from a free.

Mayfield continued to have Douglas on the back foot as Jake Courtney set up Dilan O’Donovan for Mayfield’s second goal in the 26th minute.

Lenihan slotted over his third free for Douglas, while Kelly and Gibson replied with points from play.

Mayfield led 2-8 to 0-5 at the interval.

In the second half, Douglas got two two-pointers, including a free by Eoin O’Flynn.

Gibson got a two-pointer from a free for Mayfield at the death.

Scorers for Mayfield: J Gibson 0-7 (2 2pt f); D O’Donovan 1-2 (0-1f); N Kelly 1-1; MJ Coffey 0-2 (1 2pt); R O’Keeffe 0-1.

Douglas: D Lenihan 0-4 (0-3f); E O’Flynn 0-3 (1 2pt f); H Quilligan 0-2 (1 2pt); C O’Keeffe 0-2f; D McCarthy 0-1f; O Hayes-Barry, Jack O’Brien 0-1 each.

MAYFIELD: E Cusack; A Hegarty, L Malone, C Moynihan; D O’Neill, J Courtney, MJ Coffey; E O’Sullivan, S O’Donovan; N Kelly, J Gibson, E Scanlon; R O’Keeffe, D Grainger, D O’Donovan.

Subs: B O’Leary for Hegarty (37), D Malone for Grainger, C O’Donovan for D O’Donovan (both 43), S Keegan for Coffey (50, inj)

DOUGLAS: J O’Flaherty; S O’Rourke, C Kenny, J Mouret; O Haynes-Barry, D O’Callaghan, L Healy; G O’Sullivan, D Mac Phaidín; H Quilligan, D McCarthy, D Lenihan; E O’Flynn, C O’Keeffe, Jack O’Brien.

Subs: J Hartnett for O’Sullivan (39), C Reddington for Mac Phaidín (43) Jamie O’Brien for McCarthy (50), E Collins for O’Keeffe (54), E Corby for O’Rourke (56, inj), J Harte for Lenihan (60+)

Referee: John Horgan (Gleann na Laoi).