First-half goals lay groundwork as Castlemagner retain Duhallow title

SWEET SILVERWARE: Castlemagner celebrate their victory after retaining the Duhallow JAFC title following a victory over Knocknagree. Picture John Tarrant

Castlemagner 2-11, Knocknagree 0-7 

CASTLEMAGNER reaffirmed their dominance of the Duhallow JAFC with 10 points to spare over a battling Knocknagree at a windswept Lismire.

Meeting for the second-consecutive season, the reigning champions availed of a first half surge on performing against the howling elements to yield two telling goals.

Straight from the off, Castlemagner offered belief and conviction with Conor O’Sullivan showing accuracy to point back to back. Knocknagree’s second team took time to settle, waiting until the 12th minute to open their account from a Daniel Murphy point.

Still Castlemagner controlled the game, netting in the 20th min., Knocknagree ‘keeper Damien Browne thwarted Tadhg Fitzmaurice only for Conor Murphy nip in to flick home the rebound. And there was no let up in Castle’s game, availing of n opportunist break, an effort by Danny Linehan fell short but fortunately into the net.

In fairness, a gallant Knocknagree dug their way back, four points without reply from John F Daly, Chris White and Cathal O’Connor trimmed the deficit 2-4 to 0-5 at the interval. Though operating against the elements in the second half, Knocknagree offered increased urgency and forced their opponents into errors.

In a low-scoring third quarter, Castlemagner refused to be ruffled in the swirling wind, team captain Linehan displayed leadership to point back to back. Knocknagree hung in, Daly and Daniel Murphy clipped over points.

However, there was no denying the merits of Castlemagner’s upper hand, man of the match Conor O’Sullivan on target to clinch a divisional title for the eighth occasion.

Meanwhile, the Mid-Cork JAHC final meeting between Ballincollig and Ballinora finished in a draw - 2-5 to 1-8 - with a replay set to decide the victor. 

Scorers for Castlemagner: D Linehan 1-5 (0-1f), C O’Sullivan 0-5, C Murphy 1-0, J O’Connor 0-1.

Scorers for Knocknagree: D Murphy 0-3 (0-2f), J F Daly 0-2, C O’Connor, C White 0-1 each.

CASTLEMAGNER: K Holland; T Fitzmaurice, T O’Riordan, A O’Keeffe; J O’Connor, B Healy, J O’Riordan; Cillian O’Sullivan, D O’Sullivan; D Murphy, D Linehan, C Murphy; Cormac O’Sullivan, J Cott, D Gayer. Subs: S Cronin for J Cott, L O’Riordan for B Healy, N Breen for D O’Sullivan, A O’Leary for T O’Riordan, E Magner for D Murphy,Conor O’Sullivan for D Gayer.

KNOCKNAGREE: D Browne; D D O’Connor, J O’Sullivan, S Daly; R O’Connor, D Cooper, N O’Connor; S O’Connor, C O’Connor; B Hickey, D Murphy; T Long; C White, J F Daly, M Daly. Subs: M Murphy for B Hickey, Dan Murphy for D Cooper (inj), P Roche for D D O’Connor, P Dineen for T Long.

Referee: J Kelleher (St. John’s).