Douglas secure back-to-back Cork JBFC titles with hard fought win over Goleen

Fielding a new team - with the exception of Eoin O’Flynn who started last year’s final - they were more clinical, while enjoying a nice mixture of youth and experience.

Goleen’s wayward shooting did not help them, as they suffered a second consecutive final defeat to Douglas. The west Cork side, who won the confined JBFC earlier this year, have had their fair share of disappointment having lost four finals in recent times prior to today.

And so to the winners.

Special mention for David McSweeney, the Douglas centre-back, who at 47-years-old, is still going strong.

And to stalwart and captain Ray Keating, who was nerveless from frees, and accepted the Jim Cronin Cup on behalf of the victorious team.

It was Keating who opened the scoring for Douglas in the first minute after Cian Clarke was fouled.

Goleen, meanwhile, took that bit longer to get into the game and when they did find the target, Matthew Sheehan’s effort skimmed over the bar.

Douglas white flags from one of their best players Kevin Murphy (2) and Eoin O’Flynn put them three clear midway through the half.

Goleen’s second point came after an 18-minute wait from Michael O’Reilly.

But there was late drama.

In the minutes before half-time, Douglas shot-stopper Brian Boyle produced a vital block on goal and when the ball was worked down the field Keating put Kevin Murphy through and he was pulled down for a penalty.

The penalty kick was expertly saved by goalkeeper Ronan Kennedy when he dived to his left, and the ball cleared to safety.

At the end of the half, Douglas were 0-4 to 0-2 in front.

The evergreen David McSweeney, increased the advantage for the southside city team after the break.

Goleen’s response was impressive with Darren O’Donovan pointing twice, 0-5 to 0-4 at the three-quarter mark.

That was as close as they got.

And while they had a good goal opportunity five minutes from time when Daniel O’Driscoll was blocked at the end of a three-man surge, it was Douglas who saw this out with Keating landing the final three scores from frees.

Scorers for Douglas: R Keating (0-4, 4fs), K Murphy (0-2), D McSweeney and E O’Flynn (0-1 each).

Scorers for Goleen: D O’Donovan (0-2), M Sheehan and M O’Reilly (0-1 each).

DOUGLAS: B Boyle; C Donlan, D Sweeney, I Lucey; M Lyons, D McSweeney, A Kelly; B O’Neill, E O’Flynn; K Doyle, B Fitzgerald, A O’Brien; C Clarke, R Keating (Capt), K Murphy.

Subs: S O’Rourke for K Doyle (40), P Tobin for A Kelly (44), J Farrell for C Clarke (46), C Lucas for M Lyons (56), E Cotter for A O’Brien (60).

GOLEEN: R Kennedy; E Healy, J O’Driscoll, Michael Sheehan; P Collins, P Reidy (Capt), C Bowen; Matthew Sheehan, T Cullinane; J Coughlan, D O’Driscoll, D O’Donovan; P O’Regan, P Scully, M O’Reilly.

Subs: M O’Donovan for P Scully (40), S O’Leary for P O’Regan (48), A Barry for D O’Driscoll (56), A Sheehan for M O’Reilly (60).

Referee: Damian Taaffe (Passage West).