JFC 1 final: Rabbitt and Brazil goals clinch it for Finea

Clarke’s Bar JFC 1 final: Castletown-Finea/Coole/Whitehall 3-10, Bunbrosna 1-7

A photo of the late Ned Flynn, perched alongside the Hugh Daniels Cup, showed exactly what today’s Clarke’s Bar junior 1 football championship final meant to Castletown-Finea/Coole/Whitehall.

In his acceptance speech, CFCW co-captain Gary Sullivan made reference to Ned, along with fellow club stalwarts John Dermody and Padraig Fagan, all of whom went to their eternal reward in recent months in a tough year for the north Westmeath outfit off the field.

Indeed, all three would have been proud of Finea’s authoritative display against Bunbrosna in TEG Cusack Park today, after which they emerged comprehensive 3-10 to 1-7 winners.

CFCW were on top of this one from the get-go, and but for a few decisions going against them and some wasteful kicking in the second quarter, the contest would have been over at half-time.

However, Declan Cahill’s charges turned on the style in the second half and outscored Bun’ 2-6 to 0-4 to secure intermediate status for 2022.

Bunbrosna, boasting a panel packed with club and inter-county veterans – many of whom soldiered for the club in the 2001 JFC final – weren’t short on experience and endeavour, but met a fitter, more clinical Finea side who were deserving winners.

Kevin Brazil, who put in a man-of-the-match display, had the ball in the net for CFCW after seven minutes, but the goal was disallowed after referee Enda Kelly spotted some over-carrying in the build-up.

However, Joe Rabbitt netted for the new champions from close range after 19 minutes, with Brazil the provider.

Between then and half-time though, CFCW failed to build substantially on that lead and Bun’ were awarded a penalty on 27 minutes, which was converted by Barry O’Mara. Despite being the stronger side, Finea only led by 1-4 to 1-3 at the interval.

However, the men in green and gold cranked up a gear after the restart, with Allan Devine among the scorers as they hit five unanswered points. Then Rabbitt notched his second goal, smashing to the net after a slick move to make it 2-9 to 1-3, effectively ending the match as a contest.

On 47 minutes, Finea then struck a third goal after a breathtaking build-up involving some superb work by Emmett Corrigan down the right flank. Veteran Brazil applied the finish soccer-style, and later went off to a standing ovation.

With Finea taking their collective foot off the gas, Bun’ had the best of the closing exchanges and almost had a goal in stoppage time, when sub Chris Cole hit the upright.

But in the final seconds, Allan Devine combined with Joe Rabbitt for the former to kick a classy score, putting the cherry on top for CFCW, as joint captains Rabbitt and Sullivan earned the walk up the Cusack Park steps.

For a full report and reaction from today’s junior final, see next Tuesday’s Westmeath Examiner.