Late O’Flynn goal seals incredible Courtwood comeback victory

ACFL Division 1 Rd 2 

Courtwood 2-17 

Ballyroan Abbey 2-16 

THE 2025 Laois SFC finalists Courtwood produced a stunning late comeback on Saturday evening, overturning an 11-point deficit in the final 12 minutes to defeat Ballyroan Abbey in their ACFL Division 1 meeting.

A strong wind favoured Ballyroan Abbey in the opening half and they made full use of it, although it was Courtwood who initially settled better. After Davin McEvoy opened with a two-pointer inside 20 seconds, Courtwood responded to lead 0-5 to 0-1, with scores from Niall Donoher, Alan Kinsella and two Danny Luttrell frees, the second a two-pointer after Marty Scully was penalised for not handing back the ball.

From there, however, Ballyroan Abbey took complete control, hitting 1-8 without reply. A misplaced kick-out from Luke Doyle was punished as Conaire Gee set up James McWey for a goal, while Diarmuid Whelan (four points) and McWey (three more) kept the scoreboard ticking. Further scores from Colm Walsh and Brian Whelan helped them to a commanding 1-11 to 0-6 half-time lead.

They extended that advantage early in the second half when Cathal Doyle fisted over, but Courtwood responded when substitute Sean O’Flynn set up Kinsella for a goal to cut the gap to six.

Any momentum was quickly halted. With goalkeeper Doyle caught up field, Courtwood lost possession and Ballyroan Abbey broke for goal, with Davin McEvoy finishing to the net despite Mark O’Halloran’s efforts to cover. A Whelan free pushed the lead out to 10, and despite a second Luttrell two-pointer, Ballyroan Abbey added three more through Whelan (two frees) and Shaun Murphy.

Trailing by 11 entering the final quarter, Courtwood’s comeback began. Substitute Ryan Little ignited it with a two-pointer, quickly followed by another from Niall Dunne. Luttrell then converted a two-point free to leave five between the sides.

Courtwood dominated the kick-outs from that point and piled on the pressure. Dunne nearly found the net, but his effort was tipped onto the bar by Robert Eyres, settling for a point instead. When Scully again conceded a costly infraction by kicking the ball away, Luttrell punished Ballyroan Abbey with his fourth two-pointer to reduce the gap to two.

With momentum fully shifted, Courtwood struck decisively in the 59th minute. A flowing move opened up the Ballyroan Abbey defence and O’Flynn was on hand to flick to the net for the winning goal.

Ballyroan Abbey were unable to respond as Courtwood closed out a remarkable victory, their first of the campaign. For the visitors, it marked a second successive defeat following their opening loss to Stradbally.

Courtwood now face Clonaslee/St Manman’s in Round 3, while Ballyroan Abbey will look to bounce back at home to St Joseph’s.

SCORERS:

Courtwood: Danny Luttrell 0-10 (4 tpf, 0-1f), Alan Kinsella 1-1, Sean O’Flynn 1-0, Niall Dunne (1 tp) 0-3, Ryan Little (1 tp) 0-2, Niall Donoher 0-1.

Ballyroan Abbey: Diarmuid Whelan 0-7 (1 tpf, 0-4fs), James McWey 1-3 (0-2fs), Davin McEvoy 1-2, Cathal Doyle, Shaun Murphy, Colm Walsh and Brian Whelan 0-1 each.

COURTWOOD: Luke Doyle; Darragh McEvoy, Collins Ugochukwu, Adam O’Halloran; Niall Donoher, Robbie Flynn, Ciaran Boland; Niall Dunne, Mark O’Halloran; Danny Luttrell, Rory Doyle, Jake Doyle; Dylan Keane, Alan Kinsella, David Duffy.

Subs: Sean O’Flynn for R Doyle (ht), Tadgh Slattery for Boland (ht), Ryan Little for Duffy (ht), Barry Donnelly for J Doyle (42m), Colm Wilson for Keane (54m).

BALLYROAN ABBEY: Robert Eyres; Eamon Fitzpatrick, Patrick Whelan, Danny Brennan; Conor McWey, Conor Brennan, Conaire Gee; Cathal Doyle, Shaun Murphy; Davin McEvoy, Diarmuid Whelan, Colm Walsh; James McWey, Marty Scully, Brian Whelan.

Sub: Odhran Delaney for Doyle (49m).

Referee: Colin Bailey (Mountrath)