Brady's late goal lands Mullahoran's 12th title

CAVAN SFC FINAL (replay): Mullahoran 1-8 Kingscourt Stars 0-7:PHILIP BRADY'S goal three minutes from normal time set the seal on a 12th title success for Mullahoran in front of 6,563 fans at Kingspan/Breffni Park yesterday.

The clinching score came after 2010 champions Kingscourt threatened to level for the sixth time in a match that never ignited until Brady’s belter.

The opening half lacked the intensity of the drawn game but Mullahoran did at least repeat their quick start. The breeze-assisted outsiders raced into a 0-3 to 0-0 lead inside the opening 10 minutes with top scorer Enda O’Reilly twice on target.

In a first half which saw the sides level on three occasions, the perfect conditions contrasted with the imperfect football in which poor kick passing and over-elaboration pock-marked proceedings.

Kingscourt trailed by 0-1 to 0-3 after 12 minutes but went on to enjoy territorial advantage and greater possession in the second quarter to power their way into a 0-4 to 0-3 lead with efforts from Pádraig Faulkner and Barry Reilly.

Mullahoran’s O’Reilly stepped up to the mark in the run-up to the interval and sandwiched a Barry Reilly point (28 minutes) to leave the sides deadlocked at five points apiece at the interval.

The claustrophobic play continued after the break. Kingscourt edged into a 0-7 to 0-5 lead before three Enda O’Reilly frees preceded Brady’s major late on.

MULLAHORAN:E Brady; S Smith, K Brady, J Reilly; D Sheridan, Patrick Brady, M Brady; C Shiels, PP Galligan; R Lynch (0-1), Enda OReilly (0-6, five frees), Paul Brady; Philip Brady (1-0), Eddie OReilly (0-1), F Brady. Subs: C Mc Gee for S Smith (13 mins); T Nannery for J Reilly (46 mins); D Smith for R Lynch (59 mins),

KINGSCOURT STARS:J Farrelly; P Faulkner (0-1), T Wakely, S Grey; B Tully, A Clarke, K McCabe; C Smith (0-1), P Smith (0-1, free); J McMahon, J Dillon, B Reilly (0-3, one free); T Malone, R McCormack, S Óg Gargan (0-1). Subs: P Tinnelly for J Dillon (half-time); D Martin for S Óg Gargan (55 mins); G Sheenan for J McMahon (58 mins); K Smith for T Malone (59 mins).