Success comes at a price for Kilmainham

Two goals either side of the break were crucial as Kilmainham captured the 2010 AFL Div 4 title overcoming Leinster JFC champions Ballinabrackey at Trim on Sunday. It was a bittersweet victory for the Kells parish side as Denis Newman sustained a broken leg in the closing stages. Up to that point Newman had given a man-of-the-match performance for the winners at wing-back. The Bracks had wind advantage in the opening half and made the perfect start with a goal in the first minute. Kilmainham almost levelled soon afterwards, but Ger Morgan's effort was well saved. Morgan was not to be denied though and he found the net soon after and with Gavin Butler pointing Kilmainham forged ahead. However, Ballinabrackey took control subsequently and registered some fine scores, but Joe Mahon's late goal for Kilmainham ensured they were only 2-1 to 1-6 adrift at the interval. The second-half was a tight and tense affair. Michael Newman notched a couple of frees to keep Kilmainham in touch before Sean Mahon rifled his side's third goal to the net to put Kilmainham two points clear with 10 minutes remaining. Victory was sealed for the north Meath men on the stroke of full time when Shane Morgan scored a fourth Kilmainham goal. Denis Newman suffered his injury shortly after that as Kilmainham held on for a merited victory. Kilmainham - K Jordan; M Fallon, H Newman, J Quigley; J Mahon (1-0), P Curran, D Newman; R Mooney, G Butler (0-1); S Mahon (1-0), T Lynch, S Morgan (1-0); G Morgan (1-0), Michael Newman (0-2), D Farnan. Subs - S Brosnan for Curran, Curran for Fallon, Mark Newman for Brosnan, S Butler for Farnan, Farnan for Michael Newman.