Athgarvan hit the goal trail and take JFC 'A' honours with Robertstown win

Just two points separated Athgarvan and Robertstown in the final of the Tom Cross JFC ‘A’ final at Manguard Park, Hawkfield, on Thursday night last week.

It was a game that ebbed and flowed with both sides looking at times they might prevail, however in the end it was Athgarvan’s ability to find the net on three occasions that proved the decisive scores of the game.

Athgarvan struck within two minutes of the start when Jordan Nolan Mullally fired in a high ball and there to get the vital touch to steer the ball into the net was Eoghan Dunne; Ciaran Doyle added a quick point and Niall Whyte’s side were up and running.

Tírnon Byrne opened the Robertstown’s account followed three three points in a row to level it, they coming from Kevin Dowling a two-pointer from a Joe Kavanagh free before Kevin Dowling had the boys in blue in front 0-5 to 1-1 as we reached the mid-way point of the game.

Athgarvan hit back with a trio of white flags, Cian Scanlon, Eoghan Dunne and Jordan Nolan Mullally and Pa Behan’s side were back in front by two.

That did not last too long, Diarmuid Healy a great two-pointer to square things up but again Athgarvan responded Cian Doyle was fouled and Euan Brown converted.

Niall Murphy and Danny Scully exchanged points before Cameron Hughes got on the end of a move that began in his own full back line and ended up in the back of the Robertstown go see Athgarvan go in at the break leading 2-6 to 0-9. A lively game with the lead changing hands on a regular basis.

On the resumption Kevin Dowling reduced the lead but Athgarvan hit their third goal on 33 minutes when a move into the Milltown goals saw Euan Brown left unmarked on the left, he was duly spotted, took the pass, went forward before burying the ball past Luke Percival in the Robertstown goals.

Typically Robertstown hit back with points from half-time substitute DJ Percival Joe Kavanagh before a move involving Ross Kavanagh, Diarmuid Healy and Joe Kavanagh ended with the veteran Kavanagh, a great servant for Robertstown, blasting to the net leaving just a point between the sides on 39 minutes.

Athgarvan hit back when Jordan Nolan Mullaly hit a mighty two-pointer to stretch the lead.

The next four points were shared equally with Danny Scully and Diarmuid Healy white flags replied to by Euan Brown and Niall Murphy to leave Athgarvan leading 3-10 to 1-13 with five minutes plus remaining.

The impressive Danny Scully replied for Robertstown, Derek Noal hit back; Scully added another and as we entered time added on Athgarvan still led by two.

Euan Brown free stretched the lead to three and while Tíron Byrne raised his second white flag of the evening for Robertstown it was not enough as the long whistle arrived with the Athgarvan boys taking the honours and the silverware on a final score line of Athgarvan 3-12 Robertstown 1-16 after a very entertaining and well contested final in this Tom Cross JFC ‘A’ decider.

Scorers, Athgarvan: Euan Brown 1-3 (2 frees), Eoghan Dunne 1-1, Cameron Hughes 1-0, Jordan Nolan Mullally 0-3 (1 two-pointer), Niall Murphy 0-2, Cian Doyle 0-1, Cian Scanlon 0-1, Derek Nolan 0-1.

Robertstown: Joe Kavanagh 1-2 (two-pointer free), Danny Scully 0-4, Diarmuid Healy 0-3 (two-pointer), Kevin Dowling 0-3, Tíron Byrne 0-2, DJ Percival 0-1.

ATHGARVAN: Daragh Dempsey; Calum Sourke, Mark Connolly, Eoin Connolly; Kevin Curran, Dani Vali, Conor Cummins; Cameron Hughes, Niall Murphy; Cian Doyle, Cian Scanlon, Euan Brown; Derek Craddock, Jordan Nolan Mullally. Eoghan Dunne. Subs: Daniel Cummins for Dani Vali (48 minutes); Derek Nolan for Cian Scanlon (51 minutes); E56 minutes); Eoin Myers for Derrek Craddock (55 minutes).

ROBERTSTOWN: Luke Percival; Peter Hogarty, Anthony Moran, Conor Walsh; Craig O’Sullivan, Danny Scully, Ross Kavanagh; James McGrath, Niall Kane; Diarmuid Healy, Aidan Gillen, Kevin Dowling; Tirnon Byrne, Joe Kavanagh, Jason Kavanagh. Subs: DJ Percival for Jason Butler (half-time); Cole Lyons for Aidan Gillen (half-time); Ryan Bagnall for Anthony Moran (46 minutes); John O’Sullivan for Diarmuid Healy (53 minutes).

REFEREE: Damien Whelan.