Strong first half secures Village’s senior status

James Stephens will remain in the senior football ranks for 2023 when they were too strong for Conahy Shamrocks in the JJ Kavanagh & Sons Senior relegation final on Saturday afternoon last in Jenkinstown.

Despite the extremely windy conditions, the city side got off to a flying start with two early goals from Tadhg O’Dwyer and David Walton respectively to lead by 2-2 to 0-1.

But Conahy fought back well to score 1-3 without reply, with the goal coming from Tom Rice, whose speculative shot from distance deceived the James Stephens defence and found its way to the net.

James Stephens managed the final point of the half from Niall Delaney to lead 2-3 to 1-4 at the break.

The increasingly strong cross field wind made scoring even more difficult in the second half.

Whatever advantage that was there favoured the city side for the half, and their defence, led by the experience of Jackie Tyrell, comfortably held Conahy at bay and the home side were held scoreless for the half.

James Stephens added three further points to their tally during the half, from William Spencer, Tadhg O’Dwyer (free) and David Walton.

There was no denying their superiority throughout, and were deserving winners.

Along with those already mentioned for James Stephens, David Hennessy was strong in defence.

For Conahy, who will now begin their football campaign for 2023 in the intermediate grade, Darragh Hennessy, Donal Brennan, Darragh Dooley and Tom Rice were best.

Teams

James Stephens - Ryan Scanlon; Adam Butler, David Hennessy, Stephen Bateman; Luke Hickey, Jackie Tyrrell, Ben Lawler; Willie Spencer, Niall Delaney; Sean Manogue, Tadhg O’Dwyer, Ross Whelan; Ethan Butler, David Walton, Donna Carney.

Subs: Matthew McWey for E.Butler, Luke Murphy for A.Butler, Sean Comerford Liston for Carney, Shane Murphy for Comerford Liston.

Conahy Shamrocks - Paul Buggy, Donal Cass, Tom Nolan, Darragh Hennessy, Donal Brennan, Eoin Carroll, Eoin Cahill, Adam Dempsey, Edmond Delaney, Darragh Dooley, Sean Brennan, Bill Murphy, Tom Rice, Padraic Delaney, Karl Downey, Darren Cuddihy, Oisín O’Connor, Kieran Brennan, Kieran Mooney.