Cappagh have too much for Athea in Limerick premier junior 'A' football final

CAPPAGH were crowned Limerick premier junior A football champions after they defeated Athea 1-8 to 0-5 in the decider in  Askeaton on Saturday afternoon. 

The victors won the premier junior football championship for the first time since 2015 and they will play intermediate football in 2025. Cian O'Carroll and Seamus O'Carroll impressed for the winners, scoring 1-6 out of their side's 1-8. 

It has been a remarkable turnaround for Athea this year. Last year, Seamus O'Donnell's charges won a relegation final to preserve their status.

O'Donnell will take plenty of positives from this season's campaign. 

On three minutes, Athea midfielder Eoin O'Shea pointed from range for the game's opening score. That was the last time Athea led in this contest. 

Cappagh took complete control of this game in the remaining 57 minutes. Seamus O'Carroll made no mistake from a 45 to level matters on five minutes. 

Cappagh were boosted by the return of Seamus O'Carroll. The former Limerick footballer previously lined out with Castleknock in the Dublin senior football championship. 

Donal Canty's side were brave commititng huge numbers forward and they were forcing their opponents into mistakes. Full forward Jack Lenihan played a clever hand pass across to the oncoming Cian O'Carroll. The Croagh Kilfinny hurling star slotted the ball into the back of the net on nine minutes. 

Two minutes later, Seamus O'Carroll was on target from the placed ball to push Cappagh 1-2 to 0-1 ahead. 

Athea were struggling to work the ball outside of their half. The 1997 junior county champions were struggling to get scores on the board but Shane Mulvhill got his team's second point from distance to make it a three point game. 

Seamus O'Carroll and Jack Lenihan combined in a three minute spell to make it 1-4 to 0-2. Athea captain Andrew O'Riordan replied through a mark from the edge of the D to keep them within touching distance. 

Seamus O'Carroll got his fourth point of the day right before the interval. Cappagh led 1-5 to 0-3 at the break. 

Cappagh didn't take their foot off the gas at the start of the second half. Corner forwards Cian O'Carroll and John Fitzgerald got on the end of excellent team moves. O'Carroll's and Fitzgerald's efforts meant Carty's side led 1-7 to 0-3. 

It took 46 minutes for Athea to register their first score in the second half. Shane Mulvhill stepped up with a close range free. 

Jack Lenihan played a crossfield pass to Cian O'Carroll. Man of the match Cian O'Carroll once again showed his ruthlessness in front of goal. Cian O'Carroll was now on target with 1-2.

In the remaining 13 minutes, Cappagh defended excellently.

Athea continued to struggle to make any inroads in attack. Substitute Andy Ahern drove his shot over the bar on 60 minutes but that was as good it got. 

Cappagh hung on for a comfortable six point victory. It has been a memorable week for the west Limerick club. Their sister club, Croagh-Kilfinny won the intermediate hurling championship title last weekend and a large number of the Cappagh players were involved in that success.

The reigning premier junior A football champions will play Fires (Kerry) or Fenor (Waterford) in the Munster championship semi-final on November 23. 

SCORERS: 

CAPPAGH: Cian O'Carroll 1-2, Seamus O'Carroll (0-4, 0-3 frees, 0-1 45), Jack Lenihan and John Fitzgerald 0-1 each

ATHEA: Shane Mulvhill (0-2, 0-1 free), Andrew O'Riordan (0-1, 0-1 mark), Eoin O'Shea and Andy Ahern 0-1 each

CAPPAGH: Graig McInnes; Denis Lenihan, Tom McMahon (Joint Captain), Bob Cregan; Conor Lenihan, Barry Lenihan, Nessan Leahy; Aidan O'Shea, Eoin Barry; Seamus O'Carroll, Colin Barry (Joint Captain), James Lanigan; Cian O'Carroll, Jack Lenihan, John Fitzgerald.

SUBS: John Wall for Aidan O'Shea (45 minutes, injury), David Lowe for Colin Barry (55 minutes), Richard Lenihan for Fitzgerald (59 minutes), Richard O'Dea for Bob Cregan (60 minutes), Pat Lenihan for Jack Lenihan (63 minutes). 

ATHEA: Gerard Ahern; Eoin Sheahan, Callum Buckley, Tommy Quaid; Michael Dalton, Alan Kelly, James Hunt; Eoin O'Shea, Evan Curry; Shane Mulvhill, Dylan Griffin, Jack O'Connor; TJ Hunt, Andrew O'Riordan, Brian O'Connor.

SUBS: Martin Chawke for Jack O'Connor (Half-Time), Daire O'Shea for Griffin (36 minutes), Mark Reidy for Brian O'Connor (40 minutes), Kevin Murphy for Hunt (40 minutes), Andy Ahern for O'Riordan (53 minutes).

REFEREE: Liam McGraynor (Dromcollogher-Broadford)