UNIVERSAL GRAPHICS JUNIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP.
Currin 1-15, Drumhowan 1-12.
Currin got their Junior championship campaign off to a winning start but they were pushed all the way by a lively Drumhowan side in this entertaining if fairly low-key encounter that was played in excellent conditions in Smithboro on Friday evening last.
Currin entered this contest as favourites given their experience in the higher grades in recent years but it wasn’t until the 3rd quarter that they began to impose themselves against a Drumhowan side who with a bit more clinical finishing could well have shaded this one. Currin’s Jack McCarron’s contribution of 1-5, 4 of those points from frees was crucial to Currin’s victory. Following a slow first half performance Currin increased the tempo in attack having taken the lead for the 1st time within a minute of the resumption and they went on to open a 4 points lead by the 10th minute of the second-half. Ultimately it was a cushion they needed as Drumhowan repeatedly rallied but the best they could do was get the margin down to 2 on 3 occasions in the final quarter as Currin held out for a 3 points victory.
Teams and Scorers: Currin: Fergal Connolly, Conor McCaffrey, Enda McCaffrey, Paddy McDermott, Ronan King, Conor McCaffrey, Shane O’Connor, Dick Clerkin 0-1 (f), Ciaran McCaffrey, Jason McKiernan, Ben Clerkin, Darragh Brady, Niall McEntee 0-2, Jack McCarron 1-5 (0-4f), Stephen Smith 0-6 (5f). Subs: Dylan Greenean 0-1 for J McCarron, Johnny O’Connor for J McKiernan, Hughie Reilly for S O’Connor (Black Card).
Drumhowan: Enda Duffy, Barry McGuirk, Paddy Mulligan, Dermot Mooney, James McElearney, Darren Duffy 0-1, Aiden Quinn, Niall Mooney, Anthony Mulligan, Kevin Mooney 0-1, Kieran Duffy 0-3 (1f), Michael Atkinson, Kieran Mooney 1-2, Aidan Duffy, Mark McCabe 0-5 (4f). Subs: Michael Duffy for A Mulligan, Niall Duffy for M Atkinson, Mikey Daly for J McElearney, Conor Duffy for N Mooney (Black Card).
Referee: Diarmuid Boylan (Donaghmoyne).