Universal Graphics Junior Football Championship Final

Cremartin 1-6 Clones 0-7

Cremartin won the Universal Graphics Junior Football Championship Final on Sunday when they ground out a two-point victory over Clones in Ballybay. Cremartin had lost the JFC final after a replay last year, as well as the JFL decider, but there was no stopping them this time, with Ronan Burke’s first-half goal proving crucial. In truth, Cremartin should have won much more comfortably, as they kicked 14 wides as well as dropping a few shots short and a couple of further goal chances went untaken. The mid-Monaghan men were deserving winners overall, though, and the manner of victory won’t be of too much concern. Gary Boyd (particularly after his move to midfield), Darren Bishop, Patrick McGuigan, Fergal Mulligan and Burke played key roles for Cremartin, while Darragh Holland, Micheál Treanor, Adrian Alford and Paul Shiels worked hard throughout for Clones.

Cremartin opened the scoring within a minute of the start when Darren Bishop kicked a point after a pass from Kevin Brennan, who doubled the Shamrocks’ lead following a pass from Declan Farrell. Good work by midfielders Danny Rooney and John Jenkins set up Adrian Alford to get Clones off the mark and David Freeman brought them level when he tapped over a 20-metre free after a foul on Patrick McCarville. Adrian Alford on and scored a 30-metre free to edge Clones ahead, but that proved to be the only time in the game that they were to lead, as Cremartin struck for the game’s only goal in the 20^th minute. Ronan Burke, who had scored a crucial goal in the semi-final replay against Aghabog, was once again in the right place at the right time to punch a high ball from Brennan into the net. Darragh Holland got a point back for Clones, but Darren Bishop converted a 30-metre free for a foul on his brother Stephen to send Cremartin in at half-time in front by 1-3 to 0-4.

Cremartin looked set to put the game beyond doubt in the early stages of the second half, when they took complete control around the middle, winning five kick-outs in a row, but wasteful finishing stopped them from pulling away, although Christopher Farrell did tap over a point from a 20-metre free after a foul on Declan Mulligan. Darren Bishop had a great chance to find the net when he raced through and played a one-two with Brennan, but he guided his shot just wide. Darren Bishop ended 12 scoreless minutes when he won and scored a 20-metre free, but Darragh Holland linked up with Jenkins to get Clones’ first score of the second half, 16 minutes in. Micheál Treanor made a great block at the other end from a goal-attempt by Declan Mulligan and Clones survived another nervous moment when a Barry Carragher free dropped short and Danny Rooney’s clearance just evaded a couple of Cremartin forwards. Alford gave Clones hope when he converted a 20-metre free for a foul on Treanor, before a surging run by Darragh Holland started an attack which finished with David Freeman firing over the bar after a Ciarán Kelly effort hit the upright. Cremartin regained their two-point lead, however, when Gary Boyd burst through after a quickly-taken free by Darren Bishop for a well-taken point. The closing minutes of the match were marred by an off-the-ball incident which resulted in Cremartin’s Jonathan McGuigan and Clones sub Ross Adamson being sent off, but that was out of character for what had been a sporting game. Gerry McCarville’s men missed another few chances to add to their tally, but they had done enough by that stage to beat Clones for the second time in the campaign and make up for last year’s double disappointment. Cremartin captain Darren Bishop lifted the Packie Boylan Cup after the game and he was also awarded the Man-of-the-Match accolade. Cremartin will compete in the Ulster Club JFC later this year, when they will be hoping to continue the excellent recent record of Monaghan clubs in the competition.

Cremartin: D Lavelle; F Mulligan, M McNally, C Mulligan; D Farrell, P McGuigan, D Mulligan; N Flanagan, C Farrell (0-1f); K Brennan (0-1), J McGuigan, R Burke (1-0); D Bishop (Capt., 0-3, 2f), G Boyd (0-1), M Bishop.

Subs: S Bishop for M Bishop (25 mins), B Carragher for McNally (44), L McVicar for Burke (55).

Clones: C Morgan; P Shiels, E Holland, P Connolly; D McQuaid, M Treanor, F Kelly; D Rooney (Capt.), J Jenkins; D Graham, A Alford (0-3, 2f), D Holland (0-2); P McCarville C McCaughey, David Freeman (0-2, 1f).

Subs: Darren Freeman for McCarville (H-T), C Kelly for Graham (36), R Adamson for E Holland (43), F Cunningham for Jenkins (57).

Referee: C Mulligan (Aghabog).