P.Graham Tarmac JFC Final
Éire Óg 0-13
Rasharkin 2-15
At Dunsilly
Rasharkin added the Junior Football Championship crown to the league title they claimed earlier in the season after a devastating second half display saw them pull clear of Éire Óg in Saturday’s final.
The Dreen men were pushed to the pin of their collars by a determined Éire Óg side who fought back from an early deficit to leave the side's level at the break. But Rasharkin found another gear after the restart, with Thomas Hasson’s goal and the outstanding Tiernan O’Boyle proving decisive.
O’Boyle was the man who swung the contest firmly in Rasharkin’s favour, landing four superb two-pointers in a magnificent midfield display. His long-range accuracy punished the Derryiaghy men at crucial stages, while Rasharkin’s greater intensity after the interval left the Ógs struggling to keep pace.
It had looked ominous for Éire Óg in the opening quarter as Rasharkin settled quickly and threatened to run away with the contest. Eamon McNeill’s thunderous goal, coupled with two early two-pointers from O’Boyle, opened up daylight between the sides.
However, Éire Óg showed tremendous character to turn the tide before the interval. With Eoin Dixon, Mark O’Hanlon, Conor McKenna and Conall Smyth leading the charge, the Belfast side reeled off a succession of unanswered scores to drag themselves back into contention.
A black card for Brian Óg O’Neill left Rasharkin short-handed, and Éire Óg seized their opportunity. Conor Dixon, Eoin Dixon, Smyth and Barry McDaid all contributed as the momentum swung dramatically, while Ryan Doherty was forced into a series of important interventions to keep the Dreen men in front.
Eoin Dixon had the final say of the opening half, working a short 45 with Luca Mulholland before splitting the posts to leave the sides deadlocked at 1-7 to 0-10.
Rasharkin needed a response, and they delivered it in emphatic fashion.
Oran McMullan drove straight through the heart of the Éire Óg defence shortly after the restart, and although Jamie King saved his initial effort, Hasson reacted quickest to bury the rebound and restore Rasharkin’s advantage.
Éire Óg replied through Karl McKenna, but O’Boyle soon landed his third two-pointer of the afternoon with an enormous effort from distance that left the Dreen men firmly in control.
Doherty continued to frustrate the Ógs between the posts, producing another important stop to deny Conor Dixon after good work from O’Hanlon. At the other end, Rasharkin were winning crucial turnovers and putting Éire Óg under pressure higher up the pitch, a marked improvement on the closing stages of the first half.
Stephen Erskine solos the ball out for Éire Óg
Hasson and McNeill added points before O’Boyle struck his fourth two-pointer of the final to put further daylight between the teams and leave Rasharkin on the brink of glory.
Hasson had the opportunity to put the result beyond doubt from the penalty spot after being upended when through on goal, but King produced an excellent save to keep Éire Óg’s hopes alive.
To their credit, the Ógs continued to battle, with Brendan Shannon and Ronan McKeown adding late points. But Rasharkin had too much in reserve, with Casey and Oran McMullan replying to ensure there would be no late comeback.
While O’Boyle’s extraordinary shooting was the headline act, Rasharkin’s victory was built on a complete team performance. Oran McMullan dominated the middle third, James Higgins and Cormac McMullan provided the running power to drive the side forward, and Pearce Kelly was outstanding in defence as Éire Óg tried to find a way through.
Doherty’s crucial saves also proved invaluable as Rasharkin recovered from a difficult end to the first half to produce a commanding finish.
For Éire Óg, their first half response demonstrated their quality and fighting spirit, but they were ultimately unable to live with Rasharkin’s renewed intensity after the break.
The final whistle confirmed a memorable championship triumph for Rasharkin, who can now celebrate a league and championship double in 2026. With O’Boyle leading the charge and the Dreen men finishing in devastating fashion, the junior crown is heading home.
Rasharkin Starting XV: Ryan Doherty; Liam Quigg, Fergus Quigg, Pearce Kelly; Thomas Hasson, Fearghal Kennedy, Colm Kennedy; Tiernan O’Boyle, Oran McMullan; Cormac McMullan, Eamon McNeill, James Higgins; Killian O’Boyle, Brian Óg O’Neill, Andrew Hasson
Subs: Oisin Casey for B Óg O’Neill (HT); Daniel Doherty for A Hasson (40); Pearse McTague for K O’Boyle (45); Daniel McGurk for F Kennedy (58)
Scorers: T O’Boyle 0-8 (4TP); T Hasson 1-1; E McNeill 1-1; O McMullan 0-2; J Higgins 0-1; K O’Boyle 0-1; O Casey 0-1
Éire Óg Starting XV: Jamie King; Barry McDaid, Brian O’Malley, Karl McKenna; Conor McKenna, Stephen Erskine, Conor Dixon; Ronan McKeown, Eoin Dixon; Mark O’Hanlon, Lorcan McIlroy, Brendan Shannon; Luca Mulhollan, Jarlath Devlin, Conall Smyth
Subs: Dermot Burns for C Dixon (42); Mark Graham for C Smyth (49); Ciaran Rice for S Erskine (50); John Erskine for B McDaid (52); Adam McKenna for E Dixon (57)
Scorers: E Dixon 0-3 (1TPF); C Smyth 0-2; B Shannon 0-2 (1F); C Dixon 0-2 (1F); B McDaid 0-1; K McKenna 0-1; R McKeown 0-1; L McIlroy 0-1
