JAFC: Youthful Douglas see off Charleville to reach county final

Douglas 2-16 (2-5-6) 

Charleville 2-10 (2-1-8) 

A classy and statement performance from Douglas’ second team saw them prove too strong for Charleville in the McCarthy Insurance Group County JAFC semi-final at Grenagh on Saturday afternoon.

Douglas were full value for their victory as they combined attacking quality with defensive resilience to book their place in the county final. 

Having built a commanding lead before the interval, they showed impressive composure and maturity after the break, absorbing periods of Charleville pressure and responding whenever they were challenged. 

It was an accomplished display from a youthful side that continues to build momentum at just the right stage of the championship.

The city side did the hard work in the opening 30 minutes. With the aid of a strong wind, they landed five two-pointers, but the most important score was a green flag from Donnacha Reddington that gave them a seven-point cushion going into the dressing room.

It’s well documented the potential Douglas have and, on this evidence and given the youthful nature of the squad, the ball is rolling in the right direction.

Having lost at this stage to eventual winners Kilmacabea last season, Charleville never really clicked. They did briefly lead in the first half, but they came up against a well-oiled machine.

A clash with either Aghinagh or Barryroe awaits Douglas in the final.

With the help of the wind, Harry Quilligan and Jamie O'Brien orange flags pushed Douglas 0-6 to 0-1 ahead after the first quarter.

Charleville were given a lifeline two minutes later when David Forde was fouled for a penalty.

Darren Butler made no mistake, finishing low into the corner of the net.

Zack Biggane and Darren Casey efforts drew the sides level.

A Butler free gave Charleville the lead for the first time with five minutes remaining in the half.

A second Quilligan two-pointer was followed by another O’Brien orange flag, this time from a free, to nudge Douglas 0-10 to 1-4 in front.

A Butler free left two points between the sides, but Douglas finished the half strongly.

Substitute Eoin O’Flynn sent over a splendid two-point free before Donnacha Reddington applied a neat finish to the net, leaving it 1-12 to 1-5 at half-time.

Despite playing against the wind in the second half, Douglas hit the first two points through an O’Brien free and substitute Billy Fraher.

The sides traded points, with Charleville’s score coming from Cathal O’Carroll. It was a timely first score of the half for them after 43 minutes, leaving it 1-15 to 1-6.

Douglas, though, pretty much put the game to bed when Mark Howell fisted to the net after good play by Seán O’Leary.

Charleville did land three scores on the bounce, including a Butler two-pointer, but a comeback never looked on the cards as Douglas led 2-15 to 1-10 with eight minutes remaining. 

Douglas remained composed throughout that spell, keeping their shape and making smart decisions in possession to ensure their opponents were never able to generate any real momentum.

An O’Brien free looked to have sealed matters, but a Darren Casey goal in added time did make things interesting.

Charleville pushed hard, but Douglas stood tall to prevail by six points.

Scorers for Douglas: J O’Brien 0-6 (1 2pt, 1 2pt f, 0-2 f), H Quilligan 0-4 (2 2pt), D Reddington, M Howell 1-0 each, E O’Flynn (1 2pt f), C O’Keeffe (0-1 f) 0-2 each, O Barry, B Fraher 0-1 each.

Charleville: D Butler 1-5 (1 2pt, 1-0 pen, 0-3 f), D Casey 1-1, J Callaghan (0-1 f), C O’Carroll, Z Biggane, D Forde 0-1 each.

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

Subs: M Howell for J Cremin, E O’Flynn for L Healy (both 25), B Fraher for R O’Sullivan (31, inj), E Nash for G O’Sullivan (51), D O’Donoghue for H Quilligan (56).

CHARLEVILLE: J Smith; D O’Sullivan, B O’Connell, O O’Connell; D O’Flynn, J Buckley, S Bresnan; Z Biggane, D Forde; C O’Carroll, J Callaghan, R Carroll; D Casey, C Buckley, D Butler.

Subs: DJ Collins for R Carroll (38), A Cagney for D O’Flynn (55), J O’Brien for C O’Carroll (61).

Referee: Pat O’Leary (Kilmurry).