St Colmcille’s always in control

ST COLMCILLE’S CORTOWN 0-14 0-5

WITH a quarter-final spot already secured, unbeaten St Colmcille’s could afford to give a number of fringe players their chance in this final-round Group A match in Slane.

The Seasiders were always in control against a Cortown side that now face into the relegation play-off.

Graham Reilly, until he was substituted, and Ben Brennan were in excellent form for the Cille’s, contributing 10 points between them.

Early points from Mark Whearty, Jack Reynolds and Brennan settled the Cille’s as Cortown replied with their only scores of the half from two frees. At half-time the Cille’s had a 0-8 to 0-2 cushion.

Colm Nally’s men then hit the opening four points of the second half and that firmly ended Cortown’s faint hopes.

Brennan and Reilly did most of the damage, while substitute John Levins also got in on the scoring act and Joe Sweeney caught the eye at centre back for the winners. CURRAHA moved to the summit of Group C in the IFC following a convincing win in this re-fixed tie at Bohermeen on Sunday.

Drumbaragh, without a win so far in the campaign, opened the scoring on the two-minute mark, but two Sean Keogh frees had Curraha in front.

Despite their lowly position Drumbaragh put it up to their opponents throughout the opening half and at the break were on level terms - 1-4 to 0-7.

Curraha did have an abundance of possession throughout the half but had difficulty at times converting it into scores.

Their defence found it difficult to curb the influence of Colm Carry who scored his side’s goal as the Kells men opened up a two-point lead at one stage.

Last year’s Junior champions responded well, though, and started to be more clinical and patient with their attacking play and this resulted in points from Brian Murphy, Neil Shortall and substitute Conor Moriarty to put them one ahead.

Drumbaragh hit back with an added-time point to be level at half-time.

Needing to increase their performance level, Curraha made the perfect start to the second half with a well-worked goal from Moriarty. Drumbaragh responded with a point, but Curraha were gaining the upper hand at this stage and Moriarty, Niall Murphy and David Toner had points to increase the lead.

There was five points separating the teams at the mid-point of the second half and while Drumbaragh never gave up Curraha were well clear by the time the north Meath outfit found the net for the second time close to the full-time whistle.

Best for Curraha were David Toner, Brian Murphy, Sean O’Hanrahan and Conor Moriarty.