Byron inspires Courtwood to historic Division 1 glory

Laois Shopping Centre ACFL Division 1 Final 

Courtwood 2-12 

St Joseph’s 2-10 

COURTWOOD were crowned Laois Shopping Centre ACFL Division 1 champions for the first time in the club’s history as they overcame St Joseph’s in the Centre of Excellence on Saturday night. And there was extra satisfaction as Courtwood had lost out to the same opposition in the Division 7 final just 48 hours earlier.

The success was a great achievement for the club as they have a list of injuries to several first team players including the likes of Niall Dunne, Cian Doyle, Rob Tyrell, Robbie Flynn and a few more.

But when it came to the heat of battle their big players showed up, Matthew Byron was excellent with his kickouts, also scoring six points while Niall Donoher rolled back the years with a brilliant performance. Sean O’Flynn and Ryan Little also stood out as there was no denying Courtwood of victory.

St Joseph’s played a huge part in this entertaining battle as they came from ten points down at one stage in the second half to draw the game level with ten minutes to go, but Courtwood would kick on again to victory.

Oisin Hooney got the scoring started in the game with an excellent two pointer to give St Joseph’s an early lead, but it didn’t last long as Courtwood would soon click into gear.

Niall Donoher got Courtwood going with a brilliant two pointer which got them up and running. They soon hit the front through a brilliant goal from Ryan Little.

Alan Kinsella and then Donoher with his second two pointer put Courtwood in control after 12 minutes as they led 1-5 to 0-2.

Brian Daly responded with a much-needed point from a free, but Courtwood would respond once more a Matthew Byron two pointer to extend lead once more.

Daly would kick the last two points of the half from frees as Courtwood led at the break 1-7 to 0-5.

St Joseph’s needed a fast start to get back into the contest, but it didn’t happen as Byron landed another two-pointer free as Courtwood were now in complete control.

Daly responded again for St Joseph’s, but it was to get worse for them as Courtwood hit their second goal through Danny Luttrell after a great pass from Ryan Little while Sean O’Flynn followed up with a point to give Courtwood a ten-point lead.

It looked like the game was over, but St Joseph’s had other ideas as Eoghan O’Flaherty sparked the comeback with their first goal of the game.

It was game on two minutes later as Darragh Farrell found the net for Joseph’s second goal as the momentum now swung in their favour.

St Joseph’s were now playing with the handbrake off and would be soon level after kicking four points in a row through Oisin Hooney, Josh Lacey and a two pointer from Brian Daly drew the teams level.

Both teams then went for the winner, but Joseph’s were very wasteful on multiple occasions. The last say went to Matthew Byron who landed a two-pointer free which was the last score of the game to secure the title for Courtwood.

SCORERS:

Courtwood: Matthew Byron 0-6 (2tpfs), Niall Donoher 0-4 (2tps), Ryan Little and Danny Luttrell 1-0 each, Sean O’Flynn and Alan Kinsella (f) 0-1 each.

St Joseph’s: Brian Daly 0-6 (0-3fs, 1tp), Oisin Hooney 0-3 (1tp), Darragh Farrell and Eoghan O’Flaherty 1-0 each, Josh Lacey 0-1.

COURTWOOD: Matthew Byron; Dan Boland, Collins Ugochuckwu, Adam O’Halloran; Rohan O’Toole, Jake Doyle, Ciaran Boland; Sean O’Flynn, Mark O’Halloran; Danny Luttrell, Alan Kinsella, Paul O’Flynn; Niall Donoher, Dylan Keane, Ryan Little.

Subs: Colm Wilson for Luttrell (52m), Darragh McEvoy for O’Toole (56m).

ST JOSEPH’S: Aaron Cooney; Jamie Kelly, Adam Campion, Ciaran Condron; Jack Lacey, Sean Brennan, Danny Hickey; Mikie Dempsey, Brian Daly; Niall Brennan, Michael Keogh, Matty Campion; Oisin Hooney, Darragh Farrell, Eoghan O’Flaherty.

Subs: Josh Lacey for Kelly (37m), Colin Campion for Condron (60m).

Referee: Ciaran McManus (O’Dempsey’s)