Parnells Produce Late Surge to Book Intermediate Final Spot

CTI Business Solutions Intermediate Football Championship Semi-Final

At Cullen Autoparts Louth GAA Training Centre, Darver

Stabannon Parnells 0-15 Mattock Rangers 1-10

Stabannon Parnells booked their place in the CTI Business Solutions Intermediate Football Championship Final after overcoming Mattock Rangers by two points in a tightly contested semi-final at the Cullen Autoparts Louth GAA Training Centre in Darver on a bitterly cold Sunday evening.

Mattock made the brighter start, with Ben McKenna opening the scoring inside the first minute. However, Stabannon responded impressively, with Sean Reynolds, Dylan Shevlin and Colm Giggins registering three unanswered points to put their side 0-3 to 0-1 ahead after six minutes.

The momentum shifted in the tenth minute when Mattock struck for the game’s only goal. A well-worked move through the hands saw a handpass over the top find Ben McKenna, who finished superbly low to the net to put Mattock back in front.

Cathal Fleming added a point before Harry Butterly responded with two neat efforts in quick succession to keep Stabannon ticking over. Brendan Leacy then registered for Mattock, before Johnny McGee’s point in the 28th minute kept the Parnells in touch.

Aerial Dual | Ben McKenna and Rob Holmes of Mattock Rangers in action against Sean Reynolds and Jake Corrigan of Stabannon Parnells © Ciaran Culligan

Mattock’s Ben McKenna, the standout performer of the first half, converted a two-point free in the 31st minute to leave his side three points clear. However, despite their advantage on the scoreboard, Mattock could count themselves unfortunate not to have found the net on two further occasions, with some outstanding last-ditch defending from Johnny McGee and a superb Ryan Halpenny save keeping them at bay.

Half-time: Stabannon Parnells 0-6 Mattock Rangers 1-5.

Stabannon needed a strong start to the second half, and captain Bobby Butterly duly delivered, settling his side with a point in the 36th minute after a spell of missed chances. Patrick Reynolds followed with a converted free two minutes later to leave the sides deadlocked.

Adrian Reid briefly stemmed the tide for Mattock, but Dylan Shevlin replied for the Parnells before Oisin McKenna registered for the Collon side to maintain their narrow advantage.

The game remained finely balanced as the sides traded blows. Ryan Shevlin raised a white flag for Stabannon, only for Sean Flynn and Cathal Fleming to respond for Mattock, restoring their two-point advantage at 0-10 to 1-9.

Sean Flynn of Mattock Rangers wins possession © Ciaran Culligan

However, the closing stages belonged to Stabannon, who produced a scoring surge that Mattock ultimately had no answer to. Ryan Shevlin proved decisive, first bringing his side within a point before splitting the posts with a superb two-pointer in the 51st minute to swing the contest firmly in his side’s favour. It was a gutsy contribution at a crucial stage, providing the decisive moment the Parnells needed.

With Mattock struggling to find a response, Ryan Shevlin added another point from a free in the 58th minute before his twin brother Dylan extended the lead further two minutes later.

Cathal Fleming converted a late free for Mattock, but it proved to be their final score as Stabannon held firm to secure a deserved victory and book their place in the Seamus Flood Cup decider.

Full-time: Stabannon Parnells 0-15 Mattock Rangers 1-10.

Stabannon Parnells will now turn their attention to the final, where they will face either St Brides or Geraldines, who meet under the Darver lights on Monday night.

This game represents Stabannon’s finest display in the campaign and perhaps, their most complete display. They displayed patches against O’Raghallaighs, Glen Emmets and Wolfe Tones – but this felt like things coming together in a big way.

Man of the Match: Johnny McGee (Stabannon Parnells)

The nod could have went to Johnny McGee or Ryan Shevlin, very hard to separate for different reasons.

Although, McGee was outstanding at corner-back, producing an assured defensive display in a ferocious battle with Mattock’s dangerman Sean Flynn. The Stabannon defender kept one of the grade’s most dangerous forwards at bay while showing his own attacking instincts by getting forward to register a score. Tenacious throughout, McGee was a colossus at the back and played a key role in helping his side secure their place in the Intermediate Championship Final.

Stabannon Parnells team: Ryan Halpenny; Alan Reynolds, Johnny McGee (0-1), Mark Byrne; Bobby Butterly (0-1), Colm Giggins (0-1), Jake Corrigan; Harry Butterly (0-2), Richard Rodgers; Patrick Reynolds (0-1, 1f), Conor Clinton, Tadhg Gorman; Dylan Shevlin (0-3), Sean Reynolds (0-1), Ryan Shevlin (0-5, 1tp & 1f).

Subs: Paddy Farrelly for Patrick Reynolds 53 mins.

Mattock Rangers team: Stephen Smith; Rian Hickey, Shane Maguire, Terry Donegan; Brendan Leacy (0-1), Ben Quaile, Tom Grimes; Ben McKenna (1-3, 1tpf), Rob Holmes; Cathal Fleming (0-3, 2f), Adrian Reid (0-1), Jack Thompson; Ben Watters, Sean Flynn (0-1), Oisin McKenna (0-1).

Subs: Liam Flynn for Ben Watters 41 mins, Jason Condon for Jack Thompson 52 mins, Aaron O’Brien for Oisin McKenna 55 mins, Daire Englishby for Brendan Leacy 58 mins.

Referee: Damien Connor (St Patricks)

Photos: Ciaran Culligan

Ryan Shevlin celebrates at the final whistle © Ciaran Culligan