Warm ‘N’ Cosy Homes JFC Semi-Finals: Creggs 2-14 Padraig Pearses 2-5
Form team Creggs powered their way into the Junior ‘A’ Championship Final with an impressive display at Johnstown.
Ger Dowd’s men took control of the match early and went on to win handsomely. Pearses did make a surge in the second half but Creggs had already done the heavy lifting to secure a place in the decider against Kilglass Gaels.
Creggs, with James McKeague dominant at centre back, were in control from the first whistle and with Shane Dowd and Enda Conneran impressive in attack they soon took control and by half-time they led by 0-9 to 0-1.
Creggs increased their lead on the resumption before Pearses kicked three in a row from placed balls. But then in the 45th minute, Enda Conneran scored a fine goal for Creggs and they were back in a dominant position.
But in fairness to Pearses they never gave up and Gerry Kelly fired home a goal for them a few minutes later, and when Karl Feehily scored another goal a minute later Pearses were back to within four.
But Creggs got back on track with points from Kevin Gavin and Ronan Kelly and when Enda Conneran scored his second goal for Creggs in the 56th minute Creggs were home safely. On the basis of this impressive performance they will be the deserved favourites to win the final.
Creggs: E Fleming; C Gore, K Dowd, E Hanley (0-1); P Brandon, J McKeague, S Dermody; T Fleming (0-1), C Canny (0-2); E O’Rourke (0-2), S Dowd (0-4), M Browne; K Gavin (0-1), E Conneran (2-2), M Brandon. Subs: R Kelly (0-1), for M Brandon, D Brandon for Canny, J McPhilbin for Gore, K Raftery for Hanley.
Pádraig Pearses: P Whelan; K Daly, B O’Connor, J Curley; D Johnston, A Carty, P Downey; S Downey, M O’Donoghue; L Daly, K Feehily (1-2), G Kelly (1-0); E Galvin, L Feehily (0-3), M Donoghue. Subs: T Richardson for Curley (Black card), D Kelly for Downey, J Murray for Galvin, D Wallace for Kelly, J Curley for K Feehily (Black card). Red card: D Johnston (54).
Referee: Kevin Naughton
