First-half goals key as Charleville hold off Mallow to lift Avondhu JAFC crown

Charleville 3-5 Mallow 0-8 

Charleville were deserving winners over Mallow in the Elevate Credit Union Junior A Football final at Buttevant. 

In dry and very cold conditions, the Rathluirc side had an early goal by Conor Buckley after good work by Cathal O'Carroll. 

It took Mallow till the eighth minute for their first score by Cathal Murphy after good work by Eoin Kelleher. They improved greatly and Eoin Stanton placed Eddy Walsh for a fine point. In the 13th minute, Jack Callaghan worked well for David Forde who levelled. 

At the end of the first quarter, Jack Callaghan netted following a four-man attack. Darren Butler's free meant the Rathluirc side were 2-1 to 0-3 ahead after 21 minutes. Eoin Kelleher worked well for a Kevin O'Connell score.

Mallow's second team were unable to get any closer with the impressive Jack Meade placing Cathal O'Carroll for a point. 

Charleville grabbed another goal through a Butler penalty following a foul on Jack Callaghan to lead 3-2 to 0-5 at half-time.

Mallow were against the wind on the restart but did very well with Stephen O'Callaghan, Kieran O'Sullivan and Cathal Murphy in great form in the half-back line. However, that didn't translate into scores until the 42nd minute when Eddy Walsh and Aaron Murphy placed Eoin Kelleher for a fine point.

Mallow had plenty of possession but the Charleville full-back line was excellent. Entering the final quarter, Eoin Stanton and Murphy combined for Kelleher to make it 3-3 to 0-8. 

Stanton then came close to what would have been a crucial goal but Jesse Smith saved very well. After struggling up front for much of the second half, Conor Buckley landed two late points to secure the victory for Charleville.

John Courtney, chairman North Cork Board, presented the cup to the winning captain Brian O'Connell. Jack Callaghan was named Man of the Match. 

Best for the winners were Brian O'Connell, Jack Meade, Jack Callaghan, David Forde, Jack Buckley, and Darren Butler. 

For Mallow, Jimmy Glynn, Stephen O'Callaghan, Aaron Murphy, Kieran O'Sullivan and Eoin Kelleher did well. 

Charleville will now meet either Douglas or Carrigaline in the county series.

Scorers for Charleville: D Butler 2-2 (1-0 pen, 0-1 f), C Buckley 1-0, C O'Carroll 0-2, J Callaghan 0-1.

Mallow: E Kelleher 0-3 (0-2 f), E Walsh, D O'Connell, K O'Connell, A Lenighan, K O'Sullivan 0-1 each.

CHAREVILLE: J Smith; D O'Sullivan, B O'Connell (c), O O'Connell; S Bresnan, M O'Flynn, J Meade; J Buckley, Z Biggane; C O'Carroll, J Callaghan, D Forde; D Casey, C Buckley, D Butler. 

Subs: A Cagney for Z Biggane, R Carroll for D Casey, J O'Brien for C Buckley.

MALLOW: J Murphy; B Noonan, J Glynn (c), D O'Connor; S O'Callaghan, E Walsh, A Murphy; D O'Sullivan, E Stanton; C Murphy, K O'Sullivan, D O'Sullivan; K O'Connell, E Kelleher, A Lenighan. 

Subs: S O'Connell for S O'Callaghan (inj), B Kingston for D O'Sullivan (inj), D Carroll for D O'Connell, R McAuliffe for K O'Connell.

Referee: Colm Maher (Buttevant)