JFC1 semi-final v The Downs

Our season came to a disappointing end under lights in Kinnegad last Friday night when The Downs proved too strong in the Clarke’s Bar Junior 1 Football Championship semi-final.

A lacklustre first half display proved costly as we succumbed to a 3-7 to 2-17 defeat. In perfect conditions for football and with a full moon providing a stunning backdrop, we trailed by 1-9 to 0-2 at the break, having had to wait until the 27th minute for our opening score from a Nigel Scally free.

Thankfully, our second half performance was much better as we whittled a 14-point deficit down to four before The Downs got the last three points to seal their place in the final against St Joseph’s. After the winners’ second goal had extended their advantage to 2-12 to 0-4, we immediately hit back with quickfire majors from Scally and substitute David Fennell along with another Scally point to hand ourselves a lifeline heading into the final quarter.

The Downs responded with a brace of frees, but we didn’t give up. Cillian Rochford and substitute James Finnegan combined to set up Fennell for his second major in the 50th minute before a Scally two-point free in the 53rd minute left just four in it.

But we couldn’t get any closer as the black and ambers saw it out. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the players as well as Nigel Adamson and his management team for their efforts throughout the season. We are also grateful to our supporters who turned out in big numbers for every game this year.

Team: Diarmuid Egan; Martin Ward, Jacob Browne, Arthur O’Rourke; Micheál Coffey, Shaun Pidgeon, Joey O’Neill; Ray Kennedy, Padraig Carton; Cillian Rochford, Nigel Scally 1-5 (1 2ptf, 1f), Danny Scully; Jack Molloy, Conor Delaney, Darragh Coffey 0-2 (2pt). Subs: Niall Carey for Scully (17 min), David Fennell 2-0 for Delaney (39 min), James Finnegan for Molloy (40 min), Dean Fitzgerald for O’Neill (48 min).

U14 boys reach county final

Congratulations to our U14 boys who booked their place in the Division 6 Championship final with a comprehensive semi-final victory over Castletown-Finea/Coole/Whitehall in Shanette St James’ Park last Saturday.

Their opponents in the decider will be St Paul’s/Delvin at a time and venue to be confirmed.

Sympathy

Deepest sympathy is extended to the Finn family, Harbour Road on the passing of Maura’s mother, Peige Uí Churraoin, late of Inverin, Co. Galway, last week. May she rest in peace.

Lotto

Last week’s lucky numbers were 12, 16, 17 and 23. There was no jackpot winner; Shauna Ryan was the only Match 3 winner.

This week’s jackpot is €2,400. Make sure to buy your tickets online or at Centra, Mee's Costcutter and Whelan’s. Tickets are also on sale outside Centra every Saturday and Sunday. Thank you for your continued support.