Denn claim junior title with strong second half

JFC final

Denn 2-11

Drung 1-7

Paul Fitzpatrick at Kingspan Breffni

Denn claimed the Junior Championship title for the second time in the club’s history as they ran out seven-point winners over Drung in this evening’s final.

Denn came into this match as favourites, having turned in a scintillating performance against Knockbride in the semi-final replay eight days earlier, and they lived up their billing, although they only pulled away in the final quarter against a Drung side who performed well for most of the game.

Denn were not to be denied, however, and some super performances all over the pitch helped them over the line. Thomas Edward Donohoe was key; he dropped back in a deeper role than usual and was involved in most of what was good about the Crosskeys-based side’s performance as well as scoring from placed balls and open play.

At the first water break, the sides were deadlocked at 0-3 apiece, with Drung displaying an assurance that belied their underdog status. Denn, flooding men back to deprive the Drung attack of space, had taken the lead three times; three times, Noel Fitzpatrick’s side equalised.

Space was tight at both ends of the field, with Drung also bringing back bodies, Martin O’Reilly and Niall Tiernan, named in attack, bolstering the rearguard.

Denn opened the scoring three minutes in with a free won and converted by Thomas Edward Donohoe. Drung replied with a 44-metre free from the hands by Tiarnan Reilly after a high tackle on Michael McEntee.

Sean Donohoe, who along with Ben Conaty also had an excellent game, clipped over from a tight angle but this was cancelled out by a huge point from Declan McEntee. Cian McCann curled in the next for Denn but again, Drung hit back when Tiarnan Reilly stylishly curled in via the upright just before the water break – and from the kick-out on the resumption, Drung hit the front for the first time when Aidan McCaul won a free and Caolán Reilly split the posts.

Denn drew level on 22 minutes when Sean Donohoe won a kick-out and brother ‘Ted’ slotted over.

After good work from Ronan Brady, Caolán Reilly landed a superb point to give Drung the lead for the second time but Denn gained a major foothold when Mark McSherry and James Brady were involved in an attack which was finished to the net brilliantly in heavy traffic by Man of the Match Ben Conaty.

Drung had a penalty shout just before half-time when Mark Cassidy seemed to be pulled back but it was waved away and Denn went in at the midway point holding a 1-4 to 0-5 lead.

And from there, they kicked on and got better as the match progressed. Having lost the 2020 final, Denn were determined not to let this one slip and they upped the ante.

Cavell and Brandon Keogan combined for Conaty to point two minutes into the second half and they extended their lead to four when good tackling by Sean Donohoe forced a defender to foul the ball and brother Thomas Edward converted.

After a foul on Brandon Keogan, brother Cavell knocked over to make it 1-7 to 0-5 but Drung pulled back an important score just before the water break when Niall Fitzpatrick got on the end of a flowing move started by Tiarnan Reilly.

Another Donohoe free, after sub Eoin Reilly was fouled, and then a mark from the same player made it a six-point game with seven minutes remaining and Denn had one hand on the cup.

A left-footed Tiarnan Reilly free cut the gap but another for Conaty kept six between them and the match was put to bed when, after a turnover, Cavell Keogan picked out Thomas Edward Donohoe in space and the county panellist was coolness personified as he beat James Reilly with a fine finish.

Cavell Keogan added a free before Drung’s persistence was rewarded when Declan McEntee bundled home a goal but the Dalcassians were too far behind and Denn deservedly held on to win with seven points to spare.

There were joyous scenes at the final whistle as Denn captain Bernard Gaffney, who delivered an extraordinary and emotion-charged speech, was presented with the Sean Leddy Cup by fellow clubman Kieran Callaghan, chairman of Cavan county board.

Denn: Mark Fegan, Mark McSherry, Tomas Corr, Micheál Gaffney, Cormac Cusack-Smith, Oisin Kiernan, James Brady, Conor O’Reilly, Bernard Gaffney, Cian McCann (0-1), Sean Donohoe (0-1), Cavell Keogan (0-2f), Thomas Edward Donohoe (1-5, 3f, 1m), Ben Conaty (1-2), Brandon Keogan

Subs: Jamie Reilly for B Keogan, Eoin Reilly for C McCann (both 40 mins), Conor Smyth for Conaty, Andrew Cusack-Smith for C Cusack Smith (both 60), Stephen McPartland for TE Donohoe (60)

Drung: James Reilly, Paul Hueston, John Cassidy, Michael McEntee, Ryan O’Reilly, Niall Fitzpatrick (0-1), Declan McEntee (1-1), Mark Cassidy, Aidan McCaul, Tiarnan Reilly (0-3, 2f), Niall Tiernan, Martin O’Reilly, Caolán Reilly (0-2, 1f), Ronan Brady, Paddy McEntee

Subs: Gary Watters for P McEntee (ht), Andrew Rossiter for M O’Reilly (37)

Ref: John Power (Killeshandra)