Douglas junior footballers land third City Division title in six years against Mayfield

Douglas 2-15 (2-4-11) Mayfield 0-10 (0-0-10)

Douglas were crowned AOS Security Seandún Junior A Football champions for the third time in six years as they defeated last year’s beaten finalists Mayfield before a fine attendance at Ballinlough.

Douglas will meet Carrigdhoun representatives Carrigaline in the McCarthy Insurance Group Junior A County Championship.

Despite playing with wind advantage in the opening half, Mayfield had Douglas pinned back for the opening seven minutes. They failed to convert this advantage into scores as Doulgas net-minder Cian O’Leary pulled off two point-blank saves. 

Mayfield also missed the chance of scoring a two-pointer, before the tide turned in Douglas’ favour. The second half was one-way traffic in favour of Douglas, as they got four two-pointers, including one from a free.

Douglas opened the scoring when Donnacha Reddington set up Sean O’Leary for the game’s opening goal.

Mayfield opened their account with a point by Dilan O’Donovan in the 11th minute.

Sean O’Leary of Douglas exchanged points with Mayfield’s David O’Neill, midway through the opening half, before persistent fouling was proving to be costly for Mayfield.

Jamie O’Brien converted two frees for Douglas. Chris O’Keeffe also pointed a free. Mayfield responded with a point from play by Nicky Kelly. Eddie Scanlon and Ronan O’Keeffe also pointed a free each. This left the half-time scoreline reading 1-4 to 0-5 in favour of Douglas.

With the elements in their favour for the second half, Douglas had Mayfield on the back foot from the resumption. O’Brien landed two scores, including a free from outside the Mayfield 40-metre arc in the opening minutes of the second half. Mayfield responded when Dan Lucey was credited with a point from a free in the 40th minute. This was followed by a point from play by Dilan O’Donovan.

O’Brien landed his third two-pointer midway through the second half. Mayfield replied with a point by Shane O’Donovan and a pointed free by Ronan O’Keeffe. This left Douglas leading by 1-10 to 0-9.

Padirag McGrath and Sean O’Leary each tagged on points from play for Douglas, while Ronan O’Keeffe converted his third free for Mayfield, with five minutes remaining.

Douglas had Mayfield on the defensive for the remainder of the game. Harry Quilligan landed their fourth two-pointer.

With the game effectively over as a contest, wayward kick-outs were proving to be Mayfield’s undoing. McGrath was winning possession for Douglas, scoring a point, which was followed by a goal, with time almost up. The final whistle was greeted with scenes of jubilation by the Douglas supporters.

Scorers for Douglas: J O’Brien 0-8 (2 2pt, 1 2pt f, 0-2 f), S O’Leary, P McGarth 1-2 each, H Quilligan 0-2 (2pt), C O’Keeffe 0-1 f.

Mayfield: R O’Keeffe 0-3 f, D O’Donovan 0-2, E Scanlon (f), D Lucey (f), S O’Donovan, D O’Neill, N Kelly 0-1 each.

DOUGLAS: C O’Leary; D O’Callaghan, N Lynch, K Hayes-Curtn; J Cremin, O Barry, A Young; G O’Sullivan, L Healy; S O’Leary, D Reddington, H Quilligan; R O’Sullivan, J O’Brien, C O’Keeffe.

Subs: E O’Flynn for Cremin, P McGrath for R O’Sullivan (both 40), D O’Donoghue for O’Keeffe, M Howell for G O’Sullivan (both 45), C Reddington for Young (57).

MAYFIELD: E Cusack; A Hegarty, B O’Leary, L Foley; D O’Neill, E O’Sullivan, D Clogan; S O’Donovan, C Doherty; D O’Donovan, N Kelly, E Scanlon; D Lucey, C O’Donovan, R O’Keeffe.

Subs: MJ Coffey for Doherty, T Horgan for C O’Donovan (both h-t), A Walsh for Hegarty (37).

Referee: David Daly (Brian Dillon’s).