Ellistown too strong for Castlemitchell as they reach Junior final

Ellistown 2-9

Castlemitchell 1-8

Ellistown booked their expected place in the Tom Cross Transport JFC final with a fully deserved four point win over a Castlemitchell who will wonder what might have been if they had converted the first of two late penalties awarded to them.

It was a game that Ellistown dominated for all of the first hald were still comfortably ahead on 46 minutes leading 2-9 to 0-4 but incedibly they were not to score again as slowly but surely Castlemitchell chipped away and while they never really looked like they would overhaul Ellistown nevertheless they will wonder what if?

Ellistown in fairness dominated throughout the opening half holding their opponents to a mere two points, the first of those came in the fifth minute and the last in the 32 minute but in between it was all Ellistown.

Wing-back, Pat Martin, who was prominent throughout opened for the winners with Conor O'Loughlin added a second after 'Mitchell had opened their account.

Shane Maughan added a third before the opening goal of the game arrived when Evan Donnelly was put through but his goal bound shot was knocked clear by 'Mitchell goalkeeper Jack Nolan but arrived at the feet of Tadhg Downey who first timed the ball to the back of the net.

Eoin O'Loughlin added a point while Darragh Watson set up Conor O'Loughlin for another and when Ross Harris ended the scoring before the break Ellistown led 1-5 to 0-2.

All going as expected as this stage and two quick points from Pat Martin and Shane Maughan had eight separating the sides.
Ross Harris, who had an excellent second half, added his second before Evan Donnelly shot wide from close in but the play was called back for an earlier foul and Tadhg Watson made no mistake from the spot.

Conor O'Loughlin (free) and an excellent effort from Ross Harris followed by a point from Eoin O'Loughlin saw Ellistown now lead 2-9 to 0-4 on 46 minutes and the game looked all done and dusted.

In fairness to Castlemitchell they did not read that way and they were awarded a penalty five minutes later but Evan Doogue's effort was brilliantly saved by Oran Donnelly, James Harris popping over the resultant 45; Ray Kavanagh added a free but Ellistown still led by nine points.

Two Ross Harris points followed and when James Harris was fouled up stepped Doogue again and this time found the net for what was the last score of the game.

Four points in it, the winners looked very comfortable for long periods of the game but failing to score in the last 16 minutes or so certainly is something they will have to look at prior to playing Kill in the final.

Nevertheless the winners will be over the moon to get to the final and getting some match time into Andrew McLoughlin, who has been out injured, is another bonus.

Castlemitchell will be disappointed and they will wonder what if that penalty had been converted while also looking back at just two points in the opening half. Ross Harris certainly caught the eye for them.

Scorers: Ellistown, Tadhg Watson 2-0 (1 penalty), Conor O'Loughlin 0-3 (1 free), Eoin O'Loughlin 0-2, Pat Martin 0-2, Shane Maughan 0-2.

Castlemitchell, Ross Harris 0-5, Evan Doogue 1-0 (penalty), James Harris 0-1 (45), Emmet Hyland 0-1, Ray Kavanagh 0-1.

ELLISTOWN: Oran Donnelly; Ciaran Lindy, Sean Lindy, James Neilson; Oisin O'Loughlin, Darragh Watson, Pat Martin; Conor Lindy, Shane Maughan; Darren Kelly, David Dunne, Eoin O'Loughlin; Tadhg Watson, Conor O'Loughlin, Evan Donnelly. Subs: Leo Lennox for Darren Kelly (41 minutes); Callum Donnelly for Tadhg Watson (47 minutes); Andrew McLoughlin for James Neilson (50 minutes); Gary Kinahan for Ciaran Lindy (50 minutes).

CASTLEMITCHELL: Jack Nolan; Jordan Horgan, Jimmy Corcoran, Fionn O'Rourke, Mark Kelly; Liam Naughton, James Harris, Oisin Fennin; Emmet Hyland, Shane Kavanagh; JP Horgan, Ross Harris, Ray Kavanagh; Eoin Coffey, Evan Doogue, Paidi Kelly. Subs: Oisin Boylan for Jordan Horgan (half-time); Fionn O'Rourke for JP Horgan (41 minutes): Paddy Ryan for Oisin Fennin (47 minutes); Paul McDonagh for Emmet Hyland (54 minutes); Jarell Kelly for Liam Haughton (54 minutes).

REFEREE: Ray Kelly.