First-half blitz powers St Joseph’s to Division 6 success

Laois Shopping Centre ACFL Division 6 Final 

St Joseph’s 1-14 

Courtwood 2-6 

ST Joseph’s were crowned the Laois Shopping Centre ACFL Division 6 champions after putting on an excellent display from start to finish to overcome Courtwood in the LOETB Centre of Excellence on Thursday night.

Michael Fleming was the star of the show as he grabbed ten points to his name, but he was central to all what was good about St Joseph’s going forward.

The victors started fast and would kick the first three points through Michael Fleming, Patrick Hickey and Mikey Murphy to establish an early lead.

Courtwood were wasteful in front of goals throughout the first half, but would get a penalty after Dylan Keane was fouled, Keane finished the penalty into the net to draw the game level.

That was as good as it got for Courtwood as Joseph’s up the gears and tempo and would take over the game from then on.

Daire Lacey started the scoring blitz with a fine point while Michael Fleming came to the fore and would kick the next four points including one outrageous two pointer from near the sideline.

Patrick Hickey added another point for his side, just before they struck for a crucial goal and ended the game. It came through Mikey Murphy as a long ball was played into the tall full forward who made no mistake in finding the net.

Sean O’Connell would finish the scoring in the first half leaving the scores at 1-10 to 1-1 at half time to the visitors.

Michael Fleming stepped up but blazed his effort over the bar. Soon after, Fleming put the miss behind him as he added another point to his tally.

Ciaran Boland got a much-needed score for Courtwood, but St Joseph’s were at their ease. Fleming then hit another two pointer which finished the scoring off for his side.

Courtwood did finish with a scoring spree themselves, but the gap was too much to claw back.

Rory Doyle was introduced as a sub and immediately kicked a two pointer. They then hit their second goal, after a great run from Liam Ward who found the back of the net.

Doyle then finished off with another two pointer, but it was too late for Courtwood as St Joseph’s were crowned champions.

SCORERS:

St Joseph’s: Michael Fleming 0-10 (2tps, 0-1 pen), Mikey Murphy 1-1, Patrick Hickey 0-2, Daire Lacey 0-1.

Courtwood: Rory Doyle 0-4 (2tps), Liam Ward and Dylan Keane 1-0 each, Sean O’Connell and Ciaran Boland 0-1 each.

ST JOSEPH’S: Bryan Fleming; Willie McDonald, Tadgh Dineen, Matthew Nelligan; Daire Lacey, David Farrell, Cillian Gorman; Murtagh Condron, James Smith; Jack Gorman, Michael Fleming, Ben Murphy; Mikey Murphy, Brendan Hickey, Patrick Hickey.

Subs: Jim Leech for Murphy (46m), John Farrell for Brendan Hickey (54m), Ciaran Carroll for Gorman (54m).

COURTWOOD: Luke Doyle; Liam Burke, David O’Connell, Evan Kelly; Liam Ward, Barry Donnelly, Rohan O’Toole; Danny Luttrell, Ciaran Boland; Sean O’Connell, David Duffy, Rob Boland; Owen McGarry, Dylan Keane, Andrew Boland.

Subs: Rory Doyle for O’Toole (53m), Fred Kearns for McGarry (57m), Corey Kirwan for Kelly (57m).

Referee: Eugene Dowdall (Ballylinan)