Castlerahan crash out by the minimum margin

Ulster Club IFC semi-final

Castlerahan 1-5

Corduff Gaels 0-9

Paul Fitzpatrick at Crossmaglen

A 64th minute point from midfielder Cillian Marron proved the difference as Corduff ground out a one-point win over Castlerahan in this hard-fought, entertaining Ulster IFC semi-final before a large crowd at Oliver Plunkett Park.

The margins could not have been much finer; both sides had chances late on and Oisin O’Connell might have had a penalty in the final passage of play but it was Corduff who came up trumps, midfielder Marron sending over a well-struck score to nudge his side in front for the first time in the game.

Castlerahan played against the wind in the first half, went down to 14 men, didn’t score for 25 minutes – and still went in ahead by a point at half-time.

This was a niggly, fractious match. The terms of engagement were laid down early; Corduff were physical, hitting hard and, at times, late. Castlerahan met them head on and the result was an ill-tempered game in which referee Barry Cassidy was kept busy, dishing out a dozen cards.

The Cavan champions got off to a dream start with a goal after just 30 seconds. David Wright won the throw-in and found Enda Flanagan – his centre was met by Padraig McGahern who volleyed home with the left boot for a great goal.

Brian Donohoe’s men stretched their advantage when Stephen Cooney beat a defender and hooked over on seven minutes but the Ballyjamesduff men would fail to trouble the umpires again until first-half injury time.

In the meantime, Corduff struck four points in succession. Keith McEnaney, the Monaghan side’s go-to forward and nephew of manager Seamus, showed his physical power to barrel through for their first point and a 40-metre free from Feargal Hanratty, stroked over comfortably with the strong breeze behind it, cut the gap to two.

Keith and John McEnaney both registered from play to tie the match on 26 minutes, by which stage Castlerahan were down to 14 men after Gavin Daly picked up a second yellow card, although the sides were soon level numerically when Dylan McEnaney picked up a black card.

The final score of the half fell to Oisin O’Connell, who tore through the centre, thought about a goal but opted for a point as his team went in holding a 1-2 to 0-4 lead.

Castlerahan scored again on the resumption; Euan Henry, who bombed forward all day, linked with Paul Cusack and Cian McCabe fisted over.

Feargal Hanratty made it 1-3 to 0-5 but Castlerahan again moved two in front when Oisin Kiernan stroked over a 45. By this point, Corduff had lost John McEnaney to a second yellow and Castlerahan seemed to be in the ascendancy, especially when the Monaghan side squandered some good chances.

But the Cavan representatives couldn’t kick on. Hanratty (free) and Gavin McEnaney drew the sides level as the clock ticked down.

A brilliant interception by David Wright started a move which should probably have resulted in a goal for Castlerahan but ended with a poacher’s point from Oisin O’Connell to make it 1-5 to 0-7 on 58 minutes.

But a well-worked Corduff move involving Hanratty and Keith McEnaney saw Diarmaid Marron grab the equaliser. Castlerahan had chances – O’Connell was off target twice – and, with injury time almost up, Corduff snatched it when Cillian Marron held his nerve to fire over from play.

Castlerahan had a final chance and it appeared that O’Connell was fouled close to goal but ref Cassidy waved away what seemed like valid claims for a penalty – and that was that.

Castlerahan: Kieran Daly, Euan Henry, Jamie Reilly, Enda O’Connell, Sean Óg McGearty, Oisin Kierrnan, Gavin Daly, David Wright, Cormac Daly, Padraig McGahern, Enda Flanagan, Stephen Cooney, Cian McCabe, Oisin O’Connell, Paul Cusack

Subs: Karl Cosgrove for P Cusack (41 mins), Jason O’Gorman for McGahern (55), Eugene Hill for Flanagan (60+3)

Corduff Gaels: Ben Woods, John McEnaney, Sean McEnaney, Dylan McEnaney, Padraic Keenan, Conor McEnaney, Michael Connolly, Mark McEnaney, Cillian Marron, Jordan McGarrell, Gavin McEnaney, Jason Hand, Diarmuid Marron, Keith McEnaney, Feargal Hanratty

Subs: Shane Hand for McGarrell (28 mins), Martin Mills for J Hand (38), Dylan Finnegan for Conor McEnaney (50)

Ref: Barry Cassidy (Derry)