“Shevlin Stars as Stabannon Seal Top Spot with Eight-Point Win”

CTI Business Solutions Louth Intermediate Football Championship – Group 2, Round 3

Stabannon Parnells 2-22 O’Raghallaighs 3-11

Venue: Protection and Prosperity Louth GAA Training Centre

Referee: Paul Burke (Naomh Mairtín)

Stabannon Parnells sealed top spot in Group 2 of the CTI Business Solutions Intermediate Championship with an assured eight-point victory over O’Raghallaighs in Darver on Friday night. The result confirmed the Drogheda men’s place in the relegation play-off, but only after they gave a spirited account of themselves despite being without the influential Ruairí Moore.

For Stabannon, this was further evidence of their growing stature as real contenders for the Seamus Flood Cup. Balanced across the field and clinical in attack, they dictated matters from the throw-in, building a commanding early lead and never truly allowing O’Raghallaighs to claw them back into contention.

Lightning Start from Stabannon

The Parnells hit the ground running and were six points clear within the opening five minutes. Harry Butterly got the scoreboard moving with a quickfire brace – a point from play inside 30 seconds, followed by a converted 2-point free two minutes later. Although Kyle McElroy responded for the O’Raghallaighs, the Stabannon forward unit soon hit top gear.

Padraig Reynolds, Dylan Shevlin, and the lively Harry Butterly all found their range before Conor Clinton delivered a hammer blow in the 12th minute. Latching onto a neat ball in from midfield, Clinton squeezed a brilliant finish in at the near post from a tight angle to leave his side 1-7 to 0-1 ahead.

If Stabannon thought the contest was already over, O’Raghallaighs had other ideas. Within seconds, McElroy burst through at the other end and rifled a superb goal to breathe life into their challenge. He added two more points in quick succession, cutting the gap to four.

Second Quarter Control

Stabannon’s response was emphatic. Colm Giggins and Shevlin restored momentum before Jake Corrigan and Bobby Butterly combined for the second goal of the night. Butterly showed composure to slot low to the net after Corrigan’s intelligent pass, pushing Stabannon 2-9 to 1-4 clear.

Despite a fine score from Ben Rogan, Stabannon Parnells were rocked again when John Horan conjured a spectacular solo goal on the stroke of half-time. But it only served to keep them in touch, as further points from Shevlin, Butterly and Sean Reynolds meant Stabannon turned around in complete control, leading 2-14 to 2-4.

O’Raghallaighs Rally After the Break

The second half began in explosive fashion as O’Raghallaighs struck with a goal straight from the restart. Conor McGinty ghosted into space and drilled home after McElroy had clipped over a free, reducing the arrears to just five points.

For a brief spell, it looked as though the Drogheda side might make a real game of it. McElroy added another free, and substitute Cameron Griffin injected energy. But Stabannon, calm under pressure, steadied the ship through the reliable boot of Butterly and the creativity of Shevlin.

Stabannon Close It Out

As the half wore on, Stabannon’s superior depth told. Shevlin was outstanding, picking off points from all angles, while Sean Reynolds and substitute Robert Callaghan also chipped in.

O’Raghallaighs battled gamely until the end, with late scores from Jason Reynolds and Daniel Reilly ensuring they went down swinging, but the damage had long been done.

Stabannon’s finishing tally of 2-22 spoke volumes about their attacking threat, with Shevlin and Butterly particularly sharp, while Clinton and Bobby Butterly provided the crucial first-half goals.

Scorers

Stabannon Parnells: Harry Butterly 0-8, Dylan Shevlin 0-7, Conor Clinton 1-0, Bobby Butterly 1-0, Sean Reynolds 0-2, Padraig Reynolds 0-1, Colm Giggins 0-1, Jake Corrigan 0-1, Robert Callaghan 0-1, Ryan Shevlin 0-1

O’Raghallaighs: Kyle McElroy 1-6, Conor McGinty 1-0, John Horan 1-0, Daniel Reilly 0-2, Ben Rogan 0-1, Eoin Moore 0-1, Jason Reynolds 0-1.

Teams

Stabannon Parnells:
Michael Lynch; Johnny McGee, Colm Giggins, Ryan Halpenny; Richard Rogers, Bobby Butterly, Alan Reynolds; Harry Butterly, Ryan Shevlin; Robert Callaghan, Sean Reynolds, Jake Corrigan; Conor Clinton, Dylan Shevlin, Padraig Reynolds.
Subs: Robert Callaghan for Padraig Reynolds (38), Barry McCoy for Ryan Halpenny (51), Mark Byrne for Richard Rogers (56), Shane Brady for Ryan Shevlin (59), Cillian Lynch for Conor Clinton (59).

O’Raghallaighs:
Joe Finegan; Danny Morgan, Alan Doyle, Eseosa Omoregbe; Joe Meehan, Emmet King, Daniel Reilly; Conor McGinty, Jason Reynolds; Olan Walshe, Kyle McElroy, Eoin Moore; John Horan, Ben Rogan, Barry Finegan.
Subs: Cameron Griffin for Olan Walshe (45), Chris Smith for Danny Morgan (51), Lucas Carton for John Horan (54), James Morgan for Joe Meehan (56).

Man of the Match

Dylan Shevlin (Stabannon Parnells):
Shevlin was at the heart of everything positive for Stabannon. His seven points came from a mixture of clever movement, crisp finishing, and intelligent decision-making. Always available for the pass and relentless in pressing the O’Raghallaighs defence, his performance epitomised Stabannon’s sharp, confident display