Late point sees Wolfe Tones narrowly defeat Cuchulainn Gaels

DKIT SPORT JUNIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 1

GROUP 2

Wolfe Tone 2-9 Cuchulainn Gaels 2-8

Wolfe Tones needed a late free from full forward Rory Taaffe to save their blushes against a spirited Cuchulainn Gaels side at Clan Na Gael Park on Sunday afternoon.

The Omeath men nearly pulled off a stunning second half fightback that saw the inexperienced side come from nine behind to lead by one with five minutes remaining.

Tones used all their nous to stem the tide thanks to midfield duo Mark Healy and Patrick Fanning's efforts. Both were excellent in the victory.

The first half was one to forget for both sides with Chris Cudden finding the net straightaway for the Tones, but Gaels will rue the half more when Noel Litchfield reflects back.

Fanning scored his team's second goal, a tap-in from close range after Taaffe set him up. That looked to seal the win, as they lead by 2-6 to 0-3 at the time, with the threat not forthcoming from the young Gaels side.

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With a lost cause to chase, the Gaels knuckled down and found the target. Rammie Phillips split the posts and impressive debutant James Sharkey showed his potential with a powerful rebound after Mícheál McCabe hit the post.

With Tones goalkeeper Johnny Lynch going off injured, McCabe was really driving things now and he soon had his name on the comeback when he flicked a goal past replacement Sweeney to give the North Louth side the lead.

Tones eventually grabbed parity with the midfield anchors with Sharkey levelling again in between, but sub Joe Comiskey won the decisive free and Taaffe, with the games last kick, sealed the relieving win for the Drogheda men. 

WOLFE TONES: Johnny Lynch; Taidhg Rock, Cathal Bergin, Alan Fanning; Adam Gartland, Sam Kelly, Sean Flanagan; Patrick Fanning (1-1), Mark Healy (0-2); Dwayne Leavy (0-1),  Liam Gaffney, Chris Cudden (1-0); Darren Weldon, Rory Taaffe (0-2, 0-1 mark, 0-1 free), Eoghan Brennan (0-3, 0-2 frees). SUBS: Sean McQuail for Gartland (37), Alan Sweeney for Lynch (44), Jordan Duffy for Weldon (48), Dean Haggins for Bergin (53), Joe Comiskey for Brennan (59).

CUCHULAINN GAELS: Ciaran Connelly; Eamon Donnelly, Sean Brennan, John Morgan; Rory Watson, Martin Hynes, Phillip McGovern (0-1); Seamus McCabe, David Reilly; Rammie Phillips (0-1), Mícheál McCabe (1-2), Stephen Mullen; Sean McManus, Cian McDonald (0-1), James Sharkey (1-3, 0-1 free). SUBS: Euan McArdle for Watson (29), Jamie Molloy for McManus (50), Eoin McDonald for Stephen Mullen (52).

Referee: Cathal Sweeney (Stabannon Parnells)