Courtwood’s night as Graham goal settles local derby decider 

Laois Shopping Centre Junior ‘C’ Football Championship Final 

Courtwood 1-11 

O’Dempsey’s 0-9 

COURTWOOD were crowned the Laois Shopping Centre Junior ‘C’ Football Championship champions after they had five points to spare against their local rivals, O’Dempsey’s in the LOETB Centre Of Excellence on Friday night.

A goal from Courtwood's Rian Graham just before half time did the trick for his side as they weren't really troubled after that stage in the game.

O'Dempsey's did battle throughout the contest but never got within two of the lead as Courtwood just found scoring that bit easier in the game.

First half substitute Rory Doyle and Colm Wilson showed their experience in the second period, chipping in with five points between them, with Wilson controlling the game from centre forward.

Colm Wilson got Courtwood up and running with a point from a free early in the game, but O'Dempsey's would hit back with four points in a row as they controlled the opening 17 minutes.

Eugene Nolan hit a brace, one from a free and the other from a 45, while Mick Lawlor and Mark Kehoe also added points to give them a deserved lead 0-4 to 0-1 after 17 minutes.

Andrew Boland responded with a much-needed point for Courtwood to keep them in touch, but soon they would hit the back of the net for the only goal of the game.

After a patient build up the ball finally arrived to Rian Graham and he finished it to the back of the net to give Courtwood the lead just before half time they never gave up.

Colm Wilson had time to add another free before the whistle to give Courtwood a 1-3 to 0-4 lead at half time.

Courtwood extended their lead in the opening stages of the second half through the brilliant Rory Doyle, first he hit over a free and then scored a brilliant point from play.

Rian Brereton replied with a point for O'Dempsey's, but Courtwood were having the better of the exchanges in the second half.

Courtwood would land another point through David Duffy, but O'Dempsey's were staying around with another brace from Eugene Nolan.

But every time Courtwood had a response and would take the game away from O’Dempsey’s in the ten minutes of the game by scoring three unanswered points.

First Andrew Boland would get his second of the night, before Colm Wilson's influence was growing on the contest, as he would kick the next two points to extend the lead further.

Mick Lawlor and Rory Doyle would exchange points as full time was closing in, and the result was never in doubt at that stage.

Eugene Nolan capped a fine display as he added another free, but Courtwood would have the last say in the contest with a point from David Duffy as Courtwood claimed the JFC 'C' title.

SCORERS:

Courtwood: Colm Wilson 0-4 (0-3fs), Rian Graham 1-0, Rory Doyle 0-3 (0-1f), David Duffy and Andrew Boland 0-2 each.

O'Dempsey's: Eugene Nolan 0-5 (0-3fs, 0-5 45s), Mick Lawlor 0-2, Mark Kehoe and Rian Brereton 0-1 each.

COURTWOOD: Luke Doyle; Liam Burke, Will Boland, Andrew Flynn; Liam Ward, Barry Donnelly, Evan Kelly; Rian Graham, David O’Connell; Andrew Boland, Colm Wilson, Rohan O’Toole; Cian Bailey, Sean O’Connell, David Duffy.

Subs: Matt Kelly, Neil O'Connell, Rob Boland, Rory Doyle, Corey Kirwan, Fred Kearins, Liam Duffy O'DEMPSEY'S: Darren Kehoe; William Kavanagh, Sean Keogh, Liam O’Mahony; Richie Whelehan, Daragh Fox, Ciaran McManus; Brian Behan, Odhran Gallagher; Mick Lawlor, Mark Kehoe, Rian Brereton; Tomas Finlay, Eugene Nolan, Pauric Duffy.

Subs: JP Kehoe, Culann Kehoe, Josh Suda, Kieran Hyland, Padraic McGrealish.

Referee: Brian Moss