Denn secure return to Division 2

ÀCFL Division 3 semi-final

Denn 1-13

Mountnugent 1-9

Denn secured promotion to Division 2 for next season at the second time of asking, in the process sealing their place in the Division 3 final against Drumgoon this coming weekend, by out-lasting a game Mountnugent side in rain-sodden Kilnaleck on Friday night last.

Key to Denn’s win was a flawless opening 20 minutes where they blitzed their shell-shocked opponents by dispatching a ruthless 1-9 with Denn’s Conor O’Reilly, Oisin Kiernan, Micheál Gaffney and Cavell Keogan all puncturing the Mountnugent defence at will.

Once Thomas Edward Donohoe raised the green flag in that period of dominance, it looked like the game was as good as finished with the Crosskeys men in an unassailable position on the scoreboard, leading at that stage by 1-9 to 0-2.

However, credit must be given to Mountnugent as they refused to throw the towel in even after Donohoe’s goal, and by the 43rd minute they had reduced the gap to five at 1-10 to 0-8 as Denn grew edgy.

Nonetheless, they were sucker-punched midway through the second half when Ciaran Caffrey received his marching orders and that seemed to drain the challenge of Mountnugent as Denn closed the game out.

Denn sprang from the traps straight from the opening whistle when Caoláin McCabe raced onto Bernard Gaffney flick from the throw in and sprinted 30 yards to curl over a terrific score and from the resulting kickout, the ball was popped into Thomas Edward Donohoe after possession was wonby Denn at midfield, who turned and split the posts for a tidy score.

After spurning two goal chances in quick succession, Denn refused to relent and points from Cavell Keogan (mark), Ben Conaty and Oisin Kiernan had Denn 0-5 to 0-0 to the good by seventh minute.

Ciaran Caffrey got Mountngent off the mark with a brilliant score off the outside of the boot in the ninth minute, but Denn were in their groove and played super football with their swift movement and running off the shoulder caused problems in the Mountnugent defence.

Excellent scores soon followed from Donohoe, Kiernan, Conaty and a gem of a point from Michael Gaffney had Denn 0-9 to 0-1 in front as the Crosskeys men pinned their bamboozled opponents in their own half with Mountnugent struggling to win primary possession off their own kickout.

Caffrey briefly replied with a free, but in the 20th minute, Cian McCann and Cavell Keogan combined to engineer a goalscoring opportunity for Donohoe and the Denn marksman duly obliged by rounding Johnathan Givney and placing his shot high into the roof of the net.

However, momentum turned somewhat in the remaining minutes of the first half when Denn’s James Brady, who had the better of Adam Rehill, had to be substituted through injury and this was soon followed up by the sending off of Caolain McCabe.

As Denn had to deal with the positional changes, Mountnugent sensed vulnerability and closed the gap to six through points from Caffrey (2 frees) and Adam Rehill (2) as both sides went into the dressing room at 1-9 to 0-6.

Scores were at a premium for the majority of the second half as the rain continued to pour from the heavens, but despite been a man down, Denn used their possession intelligently in the opening stages of the half as they kept the ball away from the clutches of the Mountnugent players, much to Mountnugent’s frustration.

Donohoe pointed a free or Denn to leave seven between the sides in the 36th minute, but there was much needed urgency to Mountnugent’s play and two quickfire points from Rehill and Josh O Reilly reduced the gap to five at 1-10 to 0-8 as the Mountnugent contingent in the stands were beginning to find their voice.

However, any momentum gained was subsequently extinguished in the 47th minute when a late challenge by Ciaran Caffrey on Bernard Gaffney warranted a red card by referee, John Power, and from there, Denn stepped back on the gas again.

Two Keogan points in a matter of minutes seemed to squeeze the life out of the Mountnugent challenge as Stephen Baxter’s charges kicked for home.

Another Donohoe free had Denn in a commanding position at 1-13 to 0-8 and they could have been further in front only for Jamie O Reilly saw his goal bound effort rattle off the crossbar.

Adam Rehill added a consolation for Mountnugent as the game entered injury time, but Denn deservedly held on and will look forward to a final date with Drumgoon to see who will be crowned Division 3 champions for 2023.

Denn: Mark Fegan, Leon Cobey, Michael Gaffney (0-1), Cian Courtney, James Brady, Conor O Reilly, Caolain McCabe (0-1), Oisin Kiernan (0-2), Bernard Gaffney, Shane Galligan, Cavell Keogan (0-3, 1f, 1m), Mark McSherry, Thomas Edward Donohoe (1-4, 2f), Cian McCann, Ben Conaty (0-2)

Subs: Sean Donohoe for James Brady, Jamie Reilly for Cian McCann, Bernard Galligan for Leon Cobey

Mountnugent: Johnathan Givney, Christopher Drumm, Josh O Reilly (0-1), Owen Campbell, Paddy Finnegan, Robbie McCabe, Owen Gibson, Ramon Finnegan, Ciaran Caffrey (0-4, 3f), Aidan O Brien, Adam Rehill (0-4, 1m), Ned Brunton, Ben Brunton, Owen Smith, David Sheridan.

Subs: Leo Campbell for Owen Smith, Craig Mullen for David Sheridan