Curraha secure in the senior ranks for a third year
IT has been a bumpy ride so far for Curraha in senior ranks, contesting the relegation playoff in two of their three years in the top grade.
And after a memorable season in 2019 when they reached the knockout stages this year has been one that they will want to put behind them quickly as they again fought to retain their senior status.
Last years intermediate champions Nobber provided stiff opposition in this relegation semi-final but Curraha deservedly came through what was a tense and hard fought encounter at Walterstown on Saturday.
And it was a man with strong Nobber connections who did the most in Curraha’s hour of need. James McEntee produced an outstanding display at midfield for the winners and accounted for seven of their points.
While McEntee’s contribution proved the difference at the final whistle the games’ only goal scored by Diarmuid Moriarty on 28 minutes also proved crucial as it gave Curraha a cushion they managed to hold on to for the remainder of the game.
Moriarty found the net following a free which landed into the danger area and that score left his side leading 1-4 to 0-3. At half-time they enjoyed a 1-7 to 0-5 advantage.
At the first half water break Curraha led 0-3 to 0-1 with Nobber’s only score coming from a
Jordan Morris free. Morris also accounted for his side’s second score from another free and the game was 23 minutes old before Alan Farrell had the North Meath side’s opening score from play.
The lead stretched to six points in the third quarter and at the second water break Curraha still enjoyed a five point advantage. Successive points from Dean Halpin, Sean Meade and Morris reduced the deficit to two midway through the final quarter and that ensured a nail biting finish. Nobber pressed hard for scores to save the game but the Curraha defence held firm while keeper Liam Hogan also made a crucial block.
Diarmuid Moriarty eventually eased the pressure somewhat when he struck the games’ final point two minutes from the end. CURRAHA: Liam Hogan; Oisin Fay, Andrew Moriarty, Seamus Hogan; Neil Shortall, Niall Murphy, Brian Joyce; James McEntee 0-7 (4f, 1 ‘45), David Toner; Padraig O’Hanrahan, Jack O’Connor 0-1f Niall McLarnon; Sean Keogh 0-1, David Coyle 0-1, Diarmuid Moriarty 1-1. Subs: Evan McGovern for McLarnon, Conor O’Farrell for Coyle, Gavin Coyle for Keogh.