Denn deliver Ulster title in style

Ulster Club JFC final

Denn 3-8

Downings (Donegal) 0-10

Paul Fitzpatrick at St Tiernach’s Park

Denn have become only the third Cavan club to win an Ulster club title after they defeated Donegal’s Downings in this afternoon’s final at St Tiernach’s Park, Clones.

The Cavan junior champions made things difficult for themselves, kicking 13 wides and dropping half a dozen efforts short, but that was the only downside in what was a magnificent performance generally. Denn worked tirelessly, were smart in possession, disciplined and played at a high tempo and were thoroughly deserving winners.

Denn had outstanding performers all over the field but the star was veteran Mossy Corr, who turned in one of the great final performances, making turnovers, fielding ball and driving out from the back for the full hour in a marvellous individual display.

At the first water break, Denn held a 1-1 to 0-2 lead but they should have been much further ahead. The Cavanmen went with a high press on the Downings kick-out and it was proving a spectacular success as they pinned the Donegal champions back in their own half for almost the entirety of the first quarter.

However, wayward shooting meant the game was still close as Denn registered six wides and dropped two more short in that opening 15 minutes.

That pattern continued in the second quarter. Denn dominated possession and were doing well in most aspects bar, crucially, their shooting; at half-time, having been much the better side, they found themselves level at 1-2 to 0-5, having kicked nine wides and dropped another four short, all of them tame efforts.

Denn started on the front foot but couldn’t make it count on the scoreboard and were punished when Downings pointed twice from two breakaways, Alan Pasoma and the lively Lorcan Connor supplying the finishes.

The wides and shorts continued to rack up before Denn belatedly got off the mark in the 13th minute when Cavell Keogan converted a tricky free.

From the kick-out, Brandon Keogan and Conor O’Reilly worked the ball to Sean Donohoe in space and the 20-year-old made no mistake in blasting to the net from 10 yards.

That should have been the launchpad for the Cavan champions to kick on. The action continued to play out almost exclusively in Downings’ half – although Denn did defend a couple of counter-attacks well – but further missed chances followed before a bit of luck fell Denn’s way when Cavell Keogan’s mishit 45 fell to Thomas Edward Donohoe who found space – not easy against a mass Downings defence - and sent it over the bar.

Two points in the 28th minute from Downings’ Johnny McGroddy made it a one-point game and McGroddy was on hand again just before the short whistle to take a pass from Connor and knock over to tie the game at the halfway stage.

On the resumption, Downings hit the front with a super score from Keelan McGroddy just 30 seconds in and at that stage, it looked ominous for the Cavan side, who had played so well but had nothing to show for it.

But Denn showed their resilience again as they dug deep and stuck to the plan and their reward duly arrived. Thomas Edward Donohoe, who had a fine second half, won and converted a free to bring them level again and he put his team in front moments later after brother Sean won a kick-out and ‘Ted’ played a one-two with Brandon Keogan.

Brandon almost got in for a second goal but was denied by an astonishing save from Downings goalkeeper John McGroddy but Ben Conaty squeezed over a point from the rebound.

By now, Corr was everywhere; he won a turnover which led to Cavell Keogan burning his man and fisting over and when youngster Caoláin McCabe scored spectacularly from the wing just before the water break, Denn were four up – and, crucially, had the numerical advantage as Downings’ Danny McBride had just picked up a second yellow card.

In the final quarter, Denn banished whatever nerves were there and cut loose. Corr won another ball with 10 minutes to go, the excellent Oisin Kiernan, Cavell Keogan and Conaty all combined, with Conaty finding James Brady, who hit the net with cool side-footed finish to make it 2-7 to 0-6.

Points from Lorcan Connor (free) and Johnny McGroddy cut the gap to five but, again, Corr made a huge catch and the ball was worked to Cavell Keogan who wisely opted to take his point, fisting over.

And the game was put to bed when Kiernan made an interception and Denn broke out at pace, Cavell Keogan squaring for Mark McSherry to palm to the net.

Downings had two late frees but it was all cosmetic at that stage as the clock ticked down and Denn ran out deserving and resounding winners.

They will now take on the British champions in the All-Ireland quarter-final in the new year but for now, they can reflect on an extraordinary provincial success.

Denn: Conor Courtney, Leon Cobey, Tomás Corr, Micheál Gaffney, Caolain McCabe (0-1), Oisin Kiernan, James Brady (1-0), Conor O’Reilly, Bernard Gaffney, Mark McSherry (1-0), Cavell Keogan (0-3, 1f), Sean Donohoe (1-0), Thomas Edward Donohoe (0-3, 1f), Ben Conaty (0-1), Brandon Keogan

Subs: Eoin Reilly for B Keogan (53 mins), Andrew Cusack-Smith for L Cobey (57), Cian McCann for C Keogan (60), Conor Smyth for TE Donohoe (60)

Downings: John McGroddy, Johnny McGroddy (0-5, 1f), Hugo Davis, Ross Cullen, Kevin Doherty, Ben McNutt, Padraig McGinty, Oisin Boyce, Shane Boyce, James Lee McBride, Danny McBride, Keelan McGroddy (0-2), Alan Pasoma, Lorcan Connor (0-3, 2f), Tiarnan McBride

Subs: Gary McClafferty for D McBride (27 mins), Kyle McFadden for Pasoma (ht, inj.), Conor Boyce for K Doherty (40), Ronan Gallagher for O Boyce (45), K McFadden for S Boyce (59)

Ref: Darren O’Hare (Down)