Elliffe double inspires St Joseph's to Junior football glory

St Joseph's 3-12, The Downs 0-15

by Robert Kindregan

Three St Joseph’s goals proved the difference as they claimed junior football glory for the first time in 22 years with a six-point win over The Downs at TEG Cusack Park on Sunday afternoon.

Played in the aftermath of Storm Boelo, with some lingering wind and rain, it was a battle of wills in which the Streamstown side showed greater hunger and a sharper edge in attack. Full-forward Ros Elliffe led the way with 2-3, while Dean Slevin (1-3) and Daniel Keegan provided excellent support.

The Downs will feel the game got away from them. They began impressively with two quick scores as the occasion appeared to get the better of a nervy St Joseph’s side, but they lost their way towards the end of the first half and failed to make sufficient use of wind advantage in the second half.

St Joseph’s began to put real distance between the sides when Elliffe found the net after 20 minutes, opening up a five-point lead. Having seen several earlier goal chances go astray, they went in at the break leading 1-7 to 0-5.

They maintained their momentum after the restart, with Elliffe adding another goal and Ben McDonnell kicking an inspirational two-pointer off the ground against the wind to establish control.

A brief resurgence from The Downs in the closing stages was sparked by a curling two-pointer from Matthew Cunningham, the black and ambers’ top scorer, followed by another huge effort from Sean Colgan from outside the 45. However, it was too little, too late as St Joseph’s held on for a six-point victory.

Having lost the last two juniors finals, St Joseph’s produced a passionate performance after a nervy start and were urged on throughout by huge support.

The Downs began strongly, with an interception from Taylor Daly setting up a patient attack that ended with a point from the boot of Tadhg Nolan. Dean Slevin responded with a point off his right boot. St Joseph’s went looking for more, but a two-point effort from Jordan McDonnell drifted wide. The ball was worked back up the pitch to Andrew Cunningham, who teed up Tadhg Nolan for a tidy point.

The Downs recovered possession from the kickout and an unmarked Cian McCourt kicked over. McDonnell registered his first score from a placed ball following a foul on Dean Slevin. Alan Conlon intercepted a wayward pass from The Downs to play in Ros Elliffe, who ran down the right before curling the ball over to level the match after 13 minutes.

Both sides missed chances before The Downs edged ahead through a score from Darragh Smith, a late addition to the starting team. Slevin and Elliffe both missed goal chances for St Joseph’s, with the latter kicking over a point when an empty net beckoned to level matters again.

Ben McDonnell then wound up his leg to kick over from near the 45, raising the orange flag and putting St Joseph’s ahead for the first time after 25 minutes.

Gerry Gleeson's charges were now playing with renewed confidence. Jordan McDonnell went on a surging run into the danger area before passing to Elliffe, who struck to the corner of the net to atone for his earlier missed chance.

The Downs went looking for their first score in over ten minutes when Jack Carroll struck from outside the arc. His effort dropped short, but Sean Colgan managed to register a point. St Joseph’s responded with a fine team move, finished by Dean Slevin, to leave the half-time score at 1-7 to 0-5.

Playing with the wind, Jack Carroll struck first after the restart, with Taylor Daly firing over soon afterwards to reduce the deficit to three points. Ben McDonnell then lifted St Joseph’s with an excellent two-point free off the ground, against the wind, to create some breathing space.

St Joseph’s struck again when Dean Slevin won possession following a failed clearance from The Downs. He exchanged passes with Aaron McDonnell before finishing past the goalkeeper to put further daylight between the sides.

The game was effectively settled when a low pass across the goal from Jordan McDonnell was volleyed into the net by Elliffe for his second goal. The green flag was raised following consultations between the match officials, amid protests from The Downs contingent over an alleged square ball.

Joe O'Sullivan's side reduced the deficit to nine points after a fantastic curling two-pointer from Matthew Cunningham, who looked to have given his side a lift heading into the final quarter. It took five minutes for another score to register, with Jordan McDonnell converting his second free of the match. Sean Colgan responded with a huge two-pointer.

Points from Eoin Mullen (a free), Matthew Cunningham and Andrew Cunningham followed, but The Downs still trailed by six points heading into additional time.

With players pouring forward, St Joseph’s kicked long to Elliffe in space, and he registered his third point. Eoin Mullen managed to get one back in reply, but St Joseph’s had the final say with a point from the excellent Slevin.

St Joseph’s were deserved winners, playing with a hunger that appeared to be lacking from The Downs. That greater attacking edge translated into goals and two-pointers, ultimately deciding the match. Missed chances from The Downs, particularly in the third quarter, could have tilted the game back in their favour, but they could not find what was needed to get back into contention.

Player of the match: Ros Elliffe (St Joseph’s). After missing an early goal chance, he made amends with two goals and three points, proving the match winner. Dean Slevin and Daniel Keegan also played pivotal roles.

Scorers - St Joseph's: R Elliffe 2-3; D Slevin 1-3; McDonnell 0-4 (1tp, 1tpf); J McDonnell 0-2 (2f). The Downs: M Cunningham 0-4 (1tp); S Colgan 0-3 (1tp); E Mullen 0-2 (1f); C McCourt, D Smith, T Daly, A Cunningham, T Nolan and J Carroll 0-1 each.

St Joseph’s: Steven Fennessy, Jake Gannon, Pearse Weir Norris, Denis Leen, Mikey Lynam, Daniel Keegan, Andy Scally, Ben McDonnell, Noah McDonnell, Dylan McDonnell, Jordan McDonnell (captain), Dean Slevin, Aaron Donnell, Ros Elliffe, Alan Conlon. Subs: Jamie McDonnell for A McDonnell (49), Dylan Drake for D Keegan (50), Brian Fitzgerald for D Leen (55), Niall Moran for D McDonnell (60), Brian Killian for N McDonnell (61).

The Downs: Senan O’Driscoll, Elliott O’Rourke, Andrew Brennan, Liam Faulkner, Cian McCourt (captain), Keith Carroll, Conor Daly, Taylor Daly, Andrew Cunningham, Matthew Cunningham, Tadhg Nolan, Sean Colgan, Eoin Mullen, Jack Carroll, Darragh Smith. Subs: Kevin Smullen for C McCourt (37), Andrew Shaw for L Faulkner (42), Adam Conneely for S Colgan (52), James Drumm for T Nolan (59).

Referee: Eoin Gorman (St Mary’s).