Another title triumph for Threecastles as they see off Freshford in Junior B Final

They say of waiting for a bus that you wait ages for one – and then two come along at the same time. This was almost the case for Threecastles, as they doubled up on their success levels at UPMC Nowlan Park on Sunday.

History repeated itself as Threecastles, a club that waited 83 years for a first adult county title, followed their 2023 Junior C success by capturing the Junior B spoils after a highly entertaining contest.

This one was possibly just as sweet for the club, who make up just one-fifth of Freshford parish, as they edged neighbours St Lachtain’s in a thrilling encounter.

The lead ebbed and flowed throughout, the result could easily have gone the other way, but Threecastles showed the greater resilience to snap up the silverware.

The winners were first off, the mark with points from Eamon Hennessy (free) and Jack Cleere after an interception. Cian Dawson opened Freshford’s account after nine minutes.

Midway through the half Threecastles opened a lead of 0-6 to 0-3, but Lachtain’s were now settling and four unanswered scores by veteran Noel McGree, Alan Rafter, Conor Donnelly from distance and another Rafter score from a free, had them a point clear (0-7 to 0-6).

Two points from placed balls by Eamonn Hennessy gave Threecastles back the lead, but an individual score by Donnelly, along a Rafter free, had St Lachtain’s one clear at the interval (0-9 to 0-8).

Threecastles had the wind for the new half but it was Cian Dawson, now operating at full-forward, who opened the second half scoring for St Lachtain’s. Eamonn Hennessy replied from play for Threecastles.

Donnelly and Rafter (free) had Lachtain’s three clear (0-12 to 0-9) on 39 minutes, with Jack Clarke (T) and Rafter (SL) also swapping points. However, in the next dozen minutes Threecastles had a sequence of four unanswered points, as both sets of supporters roared on their respective sides. Jack Cleere, Johnny Manogue and two Eamonn Hennessy frees were the scorers.

Lachtain’s regained the lead by 57 minutes, with points from Philip Campion and Alan Rafter, but two late scores from the excellent Eamonn Hennessy saw Threecastles home after an epic encounter.

Star players like Jack Cleere, Eamonn Hennessy and Cian Franey will now participate in the Junior A grade for 2025. Lachtain’s gave their all, with goalie Robbie Dowling, Conor Donnelly, Noel McGree and Alan Rafter amongst their star players on the afternoon.

Teams and scorers

Threecastles - Conrad Cooper; Joe Lacey, Frank Keoghan, David Cleere; Nick O’Shea, Jack Cleere (0-3), John Manogue (0-1); Darragh Walsh, Cormac Rafter; Cian Russell, Eamonn Hennessy (0-11, 0-6 frees, 0-1 65), Kyle Maher; Eoin Dalton, Cian Franey (0-1), Mark Cleere.

Subs: Tommy Rafter for Cian Russell, Joey Dalton for Nick O’Shea, Darren Mullen for Tommy Rafter, Jack Boland for Kyle Maher, Marcus Trait, Eoin O’Donnell, Vinny O’Donnell, Ciaran Dalton, Eoin Dalton, Frank Campion, Colm O’Grady, Seamus McEvoy, Tomas Cassin, Adam Ryan, Pat Trait, Andy Campion, Bernard Mullen, Canice Pratt, Liam Russell, Liam Walsh, David Butler, Craig Kennington.

St Lachtain’s - Robbie Dowling; Jack Hickey, Lachtain Kennedy, Cian Leahy; John Bowden, Jerry Bergin, Shane Dawson; Conor Donnelly (0-3), Conor Dalton; Cian Dawson (0-2), Noel McGree (0-1),Alan Rafter (0-8, 0-6 frees); Philip Campion, Jordan Burke (0-1), Matthew Durnan.

Subs: John Campion for Johnny Bowden , James O'Connor for Matthews Duncan, Barry Hughes for Noel McGree, Mark Nolan, Darragh Quinn, Jimmy Cantwell, Luke Phelan, Cathal Bowden, Declan Killeen, Caillin McCabe, Shea Burke, Michael Murphy, Colin McGree, Jamie Denieffe, Cathal Power (injured), Harry Burke (injured).

Referee - Julian O’Dwyer (Windgap).