Castlemagner hold off Kanturk to retain Duhallow Junior A football crown

Castlemagner 1-7 (1-1-5) Kanturk 1-6 (1-1-4) 

Castlemagner continued their domination of the Ashgrove Renewable Duhallow JAFC by edging past a brave Kanturk at a damp Cullen.

Writing their names into the history books, Castlemagner completed a three-in-a-row for the first time, the reigning holders held their nerve to secure the narrowest of wins thanks to a late point from substitute Max O’Sullivan.

In testing conditions, Kanturk’s second team, fielding youth and experience, fought their corner from the first whistle to the last only to be narrowly pipped. No surprise, both sides took time to settle in the elements, Castlemagner dominating possession only for the final pass to go astray at times.

Steadily, it came right for the men in black and amber. Danny Linehan delivered a pointed free before they hit pole position, Linehan and Evan Magner combining for Conor O’Sullivan to come through from midfield to net. 

Kanturk opened their account courtesy of Danny Cronin only for Lenihan to post a two-point free.

Challengers Kanturk refused to be knocked off stride, rewarded on a smashing goal, Mathew Deady set up Eoin Geaney to deliver a pile driver to the net. That score roused Kanturk, Cronin added a pointed free to trim the arrears 1-4 to 1-2 at the interval.

A greasy ball added to handling difficulties on the restart, the sides trading points from Darragh O’Sullivan and Eoin O’Keeffe. After Lenihan tacked on a Castlemagner point, Kanturk, chasing a divisional title for the first time since 2011, were right back in the hunt. Cronin converted a two-point free to cut the deficit to the minimum 1-6 to 1-5 at the three-quarter stage.

Young Cronin added a free to square up matters for the only occasion over the extended hour. Now the spoils dangled invitingly in front of both sides. Castlemagner refused to panic, contributing generously to their cause was the outstanding play of team captain Conor Murphy, Tadhg Fitzmaurice and Anthony O’Leary in defence with Man of the Match Conor O’Sullivan and Lenihan effective in the central third.

With the game developing into a battle of the bravest, Castlemagner regained the lead thanks to a neatly taken effort by substitute Max O’Sullivan.

Kanturk had time to retrieve the situation and though Castlemagner endured some anxious moments, their defence held firm to secure the spoils for the ninth time.

Castlemagner progress to a county quarter-final and a meeting against Nemo Rangers or Mayfield.

Scorers for Castlemagner: D Linehan 0-4 (1 tpf, 0-2 f), Conor O’Sullivan 1-0, Cormac O’Sullivan, D O’Sullivan, M O’Sullivan 0-1 each.

Kanturk: D Cronin 0-5 (1 tpf, 0-2 f), E Geaney 1-0, E O’Keeffe 0-1.

CASTLEMAGNER: T McAuliffe; A O’Keeffe, D Murphy, A O’Leary; C Murphy, T Fitzmaurice, S Cronin; Conor O’Sullivan, D O’Sullivan; C Cromin, E Magner, D Lenihan; Cormac O’Sullivan, Cillian O’Sullivan, T O’Riordan. 

Subs: M O’Sullivan for A O’Keeffe (35), S Tobin for Cillian O’Sullivan (42), B Healy for S Cronin (42).

KANTURK: J Fullerton; N Forde, D O’Connor, A Murphy; P Leahy, L Cashman, J Moylan; P O’Keeffe, E Geaney; M Deady, D Cronin, G Kenehen; E O’Keeffe, S McAuliffe, D Bradley. 

Subs: C Boyce for S McAulliffe (37), A O’Keeffe for P O’Keeffe (45), O Daly for D Bradley (49), P O’Keeffe for M Deady (59).

Referee: John Hartnett (Boherbue).