Castlerahan claim Division 2 Minor title

Minor Football Championship Division 2 final

Castlerahan 0-13

Shercock 1-9

Paul Fitzpatrick at Kingspan Breffni

Castlerahan held on for a narrow win in an entertaining and well-contested Division 2 Minor Championship final.

The would-be winners cruised into a five-point lead, playing some super attacking football, in the first half but Shercock came roaring back into the game and pushed the Castlerahan lads all the way in what was a high-quality curtain-raiser to the Intermediate Championship final.

Castlerahan’s full-forward and captain Ciaran Caldwell was in brilliant form early on. He scored the first five points of the game – two from play and a mark followed by another brace from play – to help his side into a useful early advantage.

With Jamie Clarke winning primary possession at midfield and Man of the Match Jamie O’Reilly pulling strings in the half-forward line, it looked as if Castlerahan would win easily but Shercock grew into the game and showed their quality.

A free from Roman Hrushchalk opened their account and although Jamie O’Reilly hit back to make it 0-6 to 0-1, Shercock found their groove in the run-up to half-time.

A well-struck free from Ben McIntyre was followed by a neat effort curled in by the impressive Lee Browne. Shercock probably should have been level at this stage – they squandered a lot of chances, registering nine wides in the first half and 12 in total.

Ben McIntyre sent over another well-taken free off his trusty left boot as the sides went in with Castlerahan leading by 0-6 to 0-4 at half-time.

On the resumption, Hrushchalk dinked over with the left to make it a one-point game but, crucially, Castlerahan were always able to keep their noses in front.

The Ballyjamesduff-based side found a higher gear and put together some of their best passages of play thereafter, with three good points in as many minutes.

Jamie O’Reilly found Caldwell with a lovely pass, with the full-forward threading over a superb point. Castlerahan won the resulting kick-out and Jamie Clarke kicked an excellent point on the loop and when Jack McCabe took a pass from Jack Rooney and raised another white flag, Castlerahan were four ahead, 0-9 to 0-5, and looking good.

But two wides let Shercock off the hook and the O’Hagan Park boys hit back in fine style when Andrew Hill tore through the centre and planted his shot to the net through a maze of bodies.

Castlerahan’s response was impressive as Clarke won the resulting kick-out and Jack McCabe did well to squeeze over an important point.

Caldwell then added a free after a late hit on a Castlerahan player to make it 0-11 to 1-5. Ben McIntyre did likewise at the other end after a foul on Philip McKeown but a terrific score from the very lively Jamie O’Reilly left three between the sides again as they entered the final quarter.

O’Reilly then struck again with another belter from play but Shercock responded in the 51st minute when McIntyre landed a free following a good run by Lee Browne, who turned in a great shift.

After a scramble in front of the goals, Hrushchalk pointed on the turn as Shercock pressed for the goal they needed. McIntyre landed a lovely free from the right wing to make it a one-point game and ensure a nervy finish for Castlerahan but they stood tall at the back and held on for a victory which will be a great boost for the club.

Castlerahan: Joe Maypother, Alfie Byrne, Garreth McEnroe, Rory Fitzpatrick, Oisin Caffrey, Dylan Brouder, Karl Kilbey, Jamie Clarke (0-1), Jack Rooney, Brian Slowey, Jamie O’Reilly (0-3), Rory Toland, Jack McCabe (0-2), Ciaran Caldwell (0-6, 1m, 1f), Sean Lovett

Subs: Conor Reilly for S Lovett (45), Rian Rafferty for O Caffrey (54), Odhran Reilly for B Slowey (60)

Shercock: Noah Fidgeon, Aaron McCullagh, Noel McIntyre, Luke Curran, David Liggan, Andrew Hill (1-0), Ciaran Liggan, Philip McKeown, Colin Hill, Adam Clerkin, Roman Hrushchalk (0-3, 1f), Ben McIntyre (0-5f), Tony Clerkin, Lee Browne (0-1), Caden McCabe

Subs: Cian Roe for C McCabe (54)