Scintillating stuff as Castletown seconds join firsts in decider

CASTLETOWN CLONGEEN

THE CASTLETOWN second string played some scintillating stuff on the way to advancing to the All-County Football League Division 3 final after an eye-catching 6-14 to 1-10 victory over Clongeen at Tomnahely on Friday.

What makes the 19-point gap all the more impressive is the fact that they were slow to find their feet, and actually trailed by 1-5 to 0-3 at the end of the first quarter.

Clongeen showed no ill-effects from their long journey north in those early stages, as an instinctive goal from Daryl Murphy on four minutes, and some neat points from Shane Cahill, Leon Stafford and the wily Páraic Curtis, helped develop that lead.

But the football that Castletown played thereafter was occasionally a sight to behold, as the telepathic understanding of their forwards, and their intelligent off-theball running, consistently posed severe problems for the Clongeen rearguard.

The catalyst to Castletown’s reversal in form was an outstanding team goal on 19 minutes, which saw Ross Bealin cleverly work his way out of a cul-de-sac before feeding the onrushing David Deering, who in turn laid it on a plate for Shane Halpin for an easy finish.

Shortly afterwards, Brendan Halpin powered through the heart of the defence to assist Gavin Stamp in sweeping confidently to the net.

And by the time Shane Halpin cleverly finished across the goal for the last score of the half, the hosts had built a 3-7 to 1-7 lead.

Robbie Brooks was re-positioned to full-forward on the resumption and enjoyed a profitable start to the second-half when he scored 1-1, including a goal finished to the top corner one minute in. Clongeen only troubled the scoreboard three more times in that second-half, while further goals from Brendan Halpin, and a collector’s item green flag for Risteárd Kinsella, ensured that they matched the club Seniors in reaching a league final.

They will meet the Duffry Rovers first team in that decider.

Castletown: James Flood; David Deering (capt.), Conor Cleary, Risteárd Kinsella (1-0); Marc Halpin (0-1), George Sunderland, Danny Dixon; Ross Cody, Robbie Brooks (1-1); Aaron Condren, Brendan Halpin (1-3), Ross Bealin (0-5, 2 frees); Shane Halpin (2-0), Gavin Stamp (1-2, 0-1 free), Colm Morris (0-1). Subs. - Colin Kennedy for Stamp (30+3, inj.), Cian Bealin for Dixon (50), Stephen Rafferty for Brooks (53), Seán Roche for R. Bealin (53), Colin Molloy (0-1 free) for S. Halpin (53).

Clongeen: Ricky Rochford; Stephen Curtis, Enda Murphy, Jamie Keating; Tom Donovan, Páraic Cullen, Richie Rochford; Shane Kilkenny (capt., 0-1), Robert Farrell (0-2); Daryl Murphy (1-0), Shane Cahill (0-2), Ger Foxe; Leon Stafford (0-1), Jamesie Rochford (0-3 frees), Páraic Curtis (0-1). Subs. - Cathal Murphy for Cullen (HT), Adam O’Sullivan for S. Curtis (HT), Stephen Bennett for Keating (44), Gareth Mahon for Donovan (52), Barry Foxe for Kilkenny (59).

Referee: Paddy Brady (Réalt na Mara).