Prolific Duffy leads Tubberclair to Junior ‘B’ glory

Tubberclair 3-15, The Downs 1-8

On a cold and frosty night under lights at the Downs GAA grounds on Tuesday, December 16, Tubberclair emerged victorious in this Junior ‘B’ Championship final.

Despite the loss, it was a gallant effort from the home side, who battled to the very end of this contest. During little over an hour’s football, it was evident that this Tubberclair outfit had been training right up until the prior weekend’s unfortunate Leinster Final defeat. They showed a wonderful fitness across the team in a victory that ended a year of huge success for the club, adding the Junior B Championship Cup to the Intermediate crown won earlier in the season.

The Downs began well once Vinny Cox threw in the ball to start proceedings. However, it took time for the game to ignite, and it was the seventh minute when the Downs finally opened the scoring with a well-taken point from Daniel O’Callaghan from play. The Tubberclair response was almost instantaneous. Conor Elliott showed great determination to win the ball and was quick to turn and shoot over the bar from about 25 metres from goal to level matters on the scoreboard.

The Downs were creating openings, but finding it difficult to convert their chances. In the 11th minute, a move started for Tubberclair to register the opening goal of the game. The green and gold outfit moved the football forward through the hands out of defence. The ball was eventually fed into Paul Keegan, who gave Conor Elliott a perfect pass for the corner forward to finish neatly past goalie Kevin Maguire. Tubberclair increased their lead to four points in the 13th minute when Paul Keegan registered a point from play, leaving the scoreline Tubberclair 1-2; The Downs 0-1.

Keegan then increased his tally with a further point just over 30 seconds later when shooting over the bar from 30 metres out. Following an excellent mark taken by Conor Elliott in midfield on 16 minutes, he fed the ball into his full-forward line. Keith Carroll for The Downs intercepted, but his handpass went astray and was punished when Finn Duffy kicked the ball just over the bar from 12 metres out when a goal was on.

On 21 minutes, Peadar Dolan scored an excellent point on the run after a fine pass from his colleague Kevin Claffey.

Tubberclair were now well on top, winning on a scoreline of 1-5 to 0-1. The Downs needed to respond, and they did so on 23 minutes. Sean Colgan won possession about fifty metres from goal and struck a monstrous two-point effort to put five between the sides.

Tubberclair registered the last score of the first half with a free converted by Finn Duffy, leaving the half-time score, The Downs 0-3; Tubberclair 1-6.

A good and productive start to the second half was vital for the Downs if they were to have any chance of clawing back the six-point deficit. Unfortunately, this was not to be for the club celebrating senior football championship success. In the vital third quarter of this game, Tubberclair outscored their opponents by a tally of 1-4 to 0-4, extending their lead to nine points on a scoreline of Tubberclair 2-10; The Downs 0-7. Scorers for Tubberclair during this period included points from play for Conor Elliott (two – 35 and 43 minutes), alongside a point from play and one from a free for the prolific Finn Duffy.

The decisive goal for Tubberclair was scored on 39 minutes by their roving wing-back, Kevin Claffey. The Downs responded with points on 37 and 42 minutes by Carl McCormack and Sean Colgan respectively, alongside an impressive two-point score for Shane Carroll. Tubberclair extended their lead by a further two points by the 47th minute with points from play by Paul Keegan and Finn Duffy. This left Tubberclair with a commanding 11-point lead at 2-12 to 0-7.

The Downs gave themselves a chance when Tadgh Nolan broke through the Tubberclair rearguard on 50 minutes and finished superbly to the top corner of the net for a quality goal. This score was followed by a point from Adam Conneely in the 53rd minute, to leave the Downs trailing by seven points.

This was to be the last score for the Downs, and Tubberclair finished the stronger of the two teams. A well-taken James Clarke goal in the 61st minute was sandwiched between a pointed free by Finn Duffy (58 minutes) and a long-range two-point effort by substitute, Taylor Slevin, on 63 minutes.

Shortly after Slevin’s score, Vinny Cox blew the final whistle, and it was Tubberclair who added the Junior B Championship Cup to the Intermediate Championship they secured earlier in the year. Despite this defeat, The Downs can be very content with the fact they regained the senior football this season.

Tubberclair have senior football to look forward to in 2026 and based on the progress made by the club at various levels and age groups, the future is certainly looking bright for the club.

Scorers - Tubberclair: Finn Duffy 1-6 (0-4 frees); Kevin Claffey 1-0; James Clarke 1-0; Paul Keegan 0-3; Conor Elliott 0-3; Taylor Slevin 0-2 (1 2pt); Peadar Dolan 0-1.

The Downs: Tadhg Nolan 1-0; Sean Colgan 0-3 (1 2pt); Shane Carroll 0-2 (1 2pt); Adam Conneely 0-1; Carl McCormack 0-1 and Daniel O’Callaghan 0-1.

Tubberclair: Simon Fagan; Oisin O’Donohue; Kyle Fagan; Niall Walker; Kevin Claffey; Peadar Dolan; Cian Kenny; Charlie Kennedy; Tadhg Moody; Matthew Lynch; Finn Duffy; Paul Keegan; Tiernan Mitchell; Graham Walker; Conor Elliott.

Subs: James Clarke for Matthew Lynch; Louis Clayburn for Paul Keegan; Sean McGrane for Cian Kenny; Taylor Slevin for Tiernan Mitchell; Danny Reid for Kevin Claffey.

The Downs: Kevin Maguire; Conor Daly; Keith Carroll; Daniel Keena; Niall Bardon; Shane Murtagh; Daniel O’Callaghan; Carl McCormack; James Drumm; Conor Power; Tadhg Nolan; Sean Colgan; Matthew Maguire; Adam Conneely; Shane Carroll.

Subs: Eoghan Murray for Shane Murtagh; Darragh Mullen for Adam Conneely; Odhran Donohoe for James Drumm; Cian Carty for Shane Carroll; Dean Clarke for Niall Bardon.

Referee: Vinny Cox (Rosemount).