Ducon Cup semi-finals offer interesting duels

THE semi-finals to the Ducon Cup bring together the four form teams in the Junior A Football League to a double bill in Millstreet on this Friday evening.

Castlemagner and Knocknagree square up in a contest, that’s a repeat of a semi final from last season when Castlmagner psssed a test of their mettle to overcome the reigning holders by two points.

Just as in the current JAFL campaign, Castlemagner performed the business with a mixture of energy and teamwork coupled by an all round competent performance by a number of excellent individual displays seeking to land silverware and a title not won since 1965.

On the downside for Castlenmagner, they tend to lack experience of the big occasion, losing last season’s Ducon Cup Final to Boherbue and a below par showing to the opening round to the JAFC last Sunday saw a defeat incurred at the hands of a much sharper Dromtariffe.

Knocknagree attempt to return to their second final in three years and enjoyed a productive run in the preliminary series but came unstuck on a defeat to Castlemagner, Indeed, Castlemagner can boost of a decent record against their opponents though a disappointing performance last weekend may upset their confidence.

With a place in a final at stake, Knocknagree will bring a competitive element to the proceedings. And Castlemagner will need to bring an improvement if their hopes of a return to another decider are to be realised.

Second into the fray are Boherbue and Cullen in the prospect of a competitive struggle. Holders Boherbue recovered from a hesitant spell to this campaign where a crucial win over Cullen swung the their focus in a positive direction.

Indeed Boherbue survived a tremendous late rally from Cullen to gather the full points on offer. At the end of the hour, there could be arguments about the outcome. Having stormed their way into a commanding position early in the second half, Boherbue required their will to win to defy a late Cullen onslaught.

Boherbue had seized control at the outset with Conor O’Riordan, John Corkery, Daniel Buckley and Andrew O’Connor to the fore in the key departments. And their cause was boosted from goals by Andrew O’Connor.

Cullen threw down the gauntlet on a rally prompted by the towering play of Dermot Hickey, Alan Regan and Jerry O’Connor with Tomás O’Keeffe and Bryan Kelleher narrowed the deficit.

On going form, the pair are evenly matched and what’s on offer is a good old battle between neighbours in search of a place in the decider.