League title goes to Castlewellan

League title goes to Castlewellan

12 April 2017

CASTLEWELLAN were crowned 2016 ACFL champions after beating neighbours Kilcoo at St Patrick’s Park, Bryansford, on Friday night.

This game also acted as the opening league fixture for both sides, but it was the Town who emerged victorious after a fierce battle.

On a perfect evening for football, it was the five in a row championship winners who got off to the best start and led 0-4 to 0-0 after 15 minutes with scores from Donal Kane, Ceilum Doherty, Ryan Johnston and Darragh O’Hanlon and at this stage they looked in complete control, even though they went into the game without key forwards, Jerome Johnston and Paul Devlin. 

The Town eventually got going and two Daniel Morgan frees reduced the gap before Kilcoo had another purple patch with points from Conor Laverty, Donal Kane and Ceilum Doherty between the 19th and 25th minute to take a five point lead. 

Disaster struck Kilcoo in a crazy three minute spell when a simple mistake allowed David Gilmore in on goal and he finished with aplomb.

Donal McKibben finished the first half scoring on the stroke of half-time and bizarrely Kilcoo only led by a point after being in complete control. 

It was the Magpies who came out of the blocks quickest after the break, with raiding half backs Aaron Branagan and Darragh O’Hanlon kicking two fine scores, but from the 35th minute to the game’s conclusion, Kilcoo’s challenge weakened and Castlewellan found another gear. 

Two more frees from Daniel Morgan restored parity prior to Barry Travers kicking a rare score.

Tackles were now more intense and every ball was contested keenly by both sides, urged on by both teams’ loyal vociferous supporters.

Kilcoo had now introduced their playmaker supreme Paul Devlin for the last 20 minutes and he kicked a lovely free from distance which was to be his side’s last score.

From the 47th minute to the final whistle scores dried up, but it was the fitter and better prepared Town side who finished strong with further frees from Morgan and McKibben and a brilliant score from their best player Sean Dornan. 

The game was played in good spirt up to the latter stages when things boiled over with Ryan Johnston, Kevin Duffin and Colm Flanagan receiving their marching orders at the death. 

Kilcoo will be disappointed to loose this game, but will ultimately know that their late return to pre-season in March proved costly as their match fitness wasn’t near the levels of what Castlewellan’s was and this proved vital. 

Their best players on the evening were Niall Branagan, Darryl Branagan, Donal Kane and Ryan Johnston. 

The Town will be delighted with this result and will see it as a building block to make inroads at championship level. Michael Cunningham made two fine saves in the first half and in defence Daniel Morgan and Kevin Duffin had somefine moments. 

Sean Dornan and Rory Burns were dominant in midfield, with Dornan the star player on view. 

This was a fitting end to the magnificent career of Castlewellan midfield stalwart Fintan McGreevy who contributed so much to the winning of this title.

It also marks Castlewellan’s first Division 1 League title since the historic double winning side of 1979.

Castlewellan: Michael Cunningham, Ruairi McArdle, Caolan Corrigan, Conail Corrigan, Daniel Morgan (0-4 frees), Kevin Duffin, Barry Travers (0-1), Rory Burns, Sean Dornan (0-1), Sean Hardy, Cahal Crilly, Damian McGrady, Donal McKibben (0-3, 0-2 frees), Liam McKibben, David Gilmore (1-0). Subs used: Colm Flanagan, Luke Toner, Jason Croskery. 

Kilcoo: Stephen Kane, Niall Branagan, Niall McEvoy, Aidan Branagan, Aaron Branagan (0-1), Darryl Branagan, Darragh O’Hanlon (0-2, 0-1 free), Felim McGreevy, Aaron Morgan, Ceilum Doherty (0-2), Donal Kane (0-2), Dylan Ward, Conor Laverty (0-1), James McClean, Ryan Johnston (0-1). Subs used: Paul Devlin (0-1), Martin Devlin, JJ McLaughlin, Miceal Rooney and Cillian Laverty.

Kilcoo 0-10

Castlewellan 1-9

ACFL DIVISION 1