Cortown 2-10 Seneschalstown 2-06

Super sub Colm Kerrigan was the hero for Cortown who overturned a two point half time deficit to record a vital win on Tuesday night in a balmy Cortown.

Kerrigan, making his seasonal reappearance, marked his return with a sensational 2-1 off the bench to help inspire Martin McGovern's charges and maintain their promotion push.

Despite a promising opening stanza which resulted in the hosts opening up a three point advantage courtesy of scores from Davy Rispin, Hugh Staunton (free) and Theo Staunton, Cortown laboured for much of the opening half. Seneschalstown gradually grew into the contest and a goal midway through the half, seemed to set Cortown off kilter.

Cortown did spurn a couple of decent goal opportunities with Tommy Smith denied by Ruddy and his namesake Brían firing over following a penetrating run through. It left the men in yellow with work to do at the interval as they trailed by two, 0-4 to 1-3.

Cortown immediately up the anti in the second half with Hugh Staunton setting up Brían Smith from the throw-up for an early point. Tommy Smith soon dished off to Rispin who cushioned over another to level things up.

With Elliot Reilly's pace and Kevin Muldoon's rawness to the fore, Cortown pushed on and hit the front again with Ryan O'Rourke tapping over a free. Enter the impact substitute Kerrigan who made his presence felt from the off. A lovely interchange with Brían Smith saw the veteran cooly slotting home for a decisive score.

The Kerrigan and Smith combination combined again shortly afterwards following a beautifully floated pass from Stevie Clarke with Kerrigan unleashing a ferocious drive to find the top corner of the net and put the game beyond the Yellow Furze men.

Some experience of the bench in the form of Decky Coyne, Stephen Fitzmaurice and Anthony Boyle helped to see things out with Rispin and Kerrigan adding further scores to Cortown's tally. A late penalty from former Seneschalstown great Bryan Clarke gave Stan O'Brien's adopted Club some hope but it was too little too late with Cortown holding on for a deserved victory.

The win puts Cortown effectively one win away from a place in the league final and promotion to Division 3A for 2024. Two stern tests lie in wait though with trips to Navan O'Mahonys and Slane on the horizon.

Cortown: Colm McGearty; Barry Canning, Decky Clarke, Johnny McGearty; Theo Staunton (0-1), Daragh O'Halloran, Mickey Costello; Stevie Clarke, Hugh Staunton (0-1f); Elliot Reilly, Brían Smith (0-2), Kevin Muldoon; Davy Rispin (0-3), Ryan O'Rourke (0-1f), Tommy Smith.

Subs: Decky Coyne for O'Rourke, Colm Kerrigan (2-1) for Costello, Stephen Fitzmaurice for B Smith, Anthony Boyle for Rispin.

Referee: Seamus O'Connor (Carnaross)

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