Courtwood dig deep to deny Stradbally in ACFL Division 1 extra time classic
Four weeks after beating Stradbally comfortably in the league, Courtwood had to dig much deeper to secure another victory
Courtwood are through to the Laois GAA ACFL Division 1 final after edging out Stradbally following a dramatic extra time encounter in Courtwood on Friday evening.
The sides had met just four weeks earlier in Round 6 when Courtwood ran out comfortable 3-17 to 0-10 winners, but there was to be no repeat on this occasion. Boosted by the return of Laois duo Matthew Byron and Robert Tyrrell, Courtwood were pushed all the way before Dylan Keane's late two-pointer proved decisive. Tyrrell's evening was cut short when he was forced off injured at half-time.
Although the temperature remained around 22 degrees, a strong wind blowing the length of the pitch played a major role throughout, with Stradbally enjoying the elements during the opening half.
The visitors made the perfect start as full-back Liam Knowles launched over a superb two-pointer inside the opening minute. Courtwood responded immediately through the lively Cian Doyle, but Stradbally moved 0-3 to 0-1 clear when David Donohue converted after winning his own free and taking a solo and go.
Courtwood then seized control with four unanswered points. Danny Luttrell and Robert Tyrrell got them going before an excellent move involving Matthew Byron, Sean O'Flynn and Alan Kinsella ended with the latter curling over. Moments later, Doyle again created the opening, supplying Kinsella for his second point in quick succession.
Stradbally hit back through Joe Larkin, whose effort sailed over from outside the arc, with advantage being played by referee Brendan McCann. Courtwood replied through two Cian Doyle points, the second arriving after Tyrrell found Ryan Little, who slipped the ball inside for Doyle. With a goal chance on, he opted to take the safer option and split the posts.
The visitors narrowed the gap when Knowles' wide was followed by Byron taking too long over a kick-out, allowing Benny Lawlor to tap over the resulting close-range free. Courtwood had the final say before the interval as Doyle burst through the middle before releasing Little, who pointed to leave the hosts 0-8 to 0-6 ahead.
With the wind now behind them, Courtwood stretched their lead to four when Byron converted a two-point free. However, Stradbally responded impressively with four points on the bounce to draw level once more.
Lawlor began the comeback from a free after an off-the-ball foul before Ben Dillon landed his only score. Conor Buggie followed with another point and poor discipline again proved costly for Courtwood when Jake Doyle continued to slap at the ball after Donohue had been awarded a free. The referee advanced the ball and Donohue converted from close range to level matters.
There was a five-minute scoring drought before Ryan Little edged Courtwood back in front after 47 minutes. Stradbally regained the initiative entering injury time. Conor Goode levelled before Donohue finished off a neat one-two with Fionn McEvoy to put Padraig Clancy's side ahead.
Courtwood looked to have won it moments later. Byron's excellent kick-out picked out Jake Doyle and the move finished with Little restoring parity. Byron then had a chance to put two between the teams from a free outside the arc, but his effort dropped short. Substitute Dylan Keane reacted quickest to gather possession and steered over the bar.
There was still one final twist before normal time ended as McEvoy found the target to force an additional 20 minutes.
Extra time began on a worrying note when Niall Dunne landed awkwardly from the throw-in and suffered what appeared to be a serious knee injury. The Courtwood player had to be carried from the field and everyone present wished him a speedy recovery.
Kinsella opened the scoring in extra time, but Stradbally led at the interval thanks to a Lawlor two-point free and a point from blood substitute Podge Fitzpatrick.
Courtwood nearly found the goal they craved when Sean O'Flynn squared for Kinsella, whose palmed effort struck the crossbar. Danny Luttrell, back on after replacing the injured Dunne, reduced the deficit before Donohue restored Stradbally's two-point advantage.
The closing minutes belonged to the home side. Paul O'Flynn cut the gap before Garry Comerford's kick-out failed to find a teammate. Keane gathered possession and confidently drilled over a superb two-pointer to swing the game Courtwood's way.
Ryan Little added the insurance point in the closing stages as Courtwood sealed a hard-earned two-point victory and booked their place in the ACFL Division 1 final.
FINAL SCORE
Courtwood 0-19
Stradbally 0-17
SCORERS - Courtwood: Ryan Little 0-4, Cian Doyle, Dylan Keane (one two-pointer) and Alan Kinsella 0-3 each, Matthew Byron (two-point free) and Paul O'Flynn 0-2 each, Danny Luttrell and Rob Tyrrell 0-1 each. Stradbally: David Donohue (one free) and Benny Lawlor (one two-point free, one free) 0-4 each, Liam Knowles (two-pointer) and Joe Larkin (two-pointer) 0-2 each, Ben Dillon, Conor Buggie, Conor Goode, Fionn McEvoy and Podge Fitzpatrick 0-1 each.
COURTWOOD: Matthew Byron; Darragh McEvoy, Dan Boland, Collins Ugochukwu; Jake Doyle, Niall Dunne, Ciaran Boland; Sean O’Flynn, Robert Tyrrell; Danny Luttrell, Cian Doyle, Tadgh Slattery; Ryan Little, Alan Kinsella, Niall Donoher. Subs: Paul O’Flynn for Tyrrell (HT), Dylan Keane for C Doyle (43 mins, inj), Adam O’Halloran for Luttrell (44 mins), Danny Luttrell for Dunne (62 mins, ET), Rohan O’Neill for McEvoy (74 mins)
STRADBALLY: Garry Comerford; Eamon Delaney, Liam Knowles, Sean Maher; Eoin Buggie, James Devoy, Ben Dillon; Jack Deegan, Fionn McEvoy; Joe Larkin, Conor Buggie, Conor Goode; Benny Lawlor, David Dineen, David Donohue. Subs: Cillian Maher for Dineen (50 mins), Jody Dillon for Deegan (57 mins), Podge Fitzpatrick for Lawlor (Blood 68-70 mins)
Referee: Brendan McCann (Portarlington)