The Duleek B.N.S. players who won the Boys’ Div 1 Shield were (from left) back - Sam Doyle, Daniel O’Connor, Rio Devlin, Rian Power, Charlie Cummins, Callum McArdle, Jamie Martin, Joe Courtney, Jamie Lacken Campbell, Jake Smith, Jack Cadwell, Sam Hunt, Mohammad Salem, Mason Brady, Kai Downes, Charlie Geraghty, Evan O’Neill, James Burke, Jake Brodigan; front - James Quinn, Cathal Finnegan, Dylan McManus, Taffy Shalom Hambakachere, Lennon Maher, Zak Meehan, Thomas Hanlon, Max McCabe, Sonny Hislop, OIsín Cudden, Cathal Coleman, Cian Callaghan, Cade Fitzpatrick.

Bright start helps Duleek B.N. S. to deserved victory

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The Duleek B.N.S. players who won the Boys’ Div 1 Shield were (from left) back - Sam Doyle, Daniel O’Connor, Rio Devlin, Rian Power, Charlie Cummins, Callum McArdle, Jamie Martin, Joe Courtney, Jamie Lacken Campbell, Jake Smith, Jack Cadwell, Sam Hunt, Mohammad Salem, Mason Brady, Kai Downes, Charlie Geraghty, Evan O’Neill, James Burke, Jake Brodigan; front - James Quinn, Cathal Finnegan, Dylan McManus, Taffy Shalom Hambakachere, Lennon Maher, Zak Meehan, Thomas Hanlon, Max McCabe, Sonny Hislop, OIsín Cudden, Cathal Coleman, Cian Callaghan, Cade Fitzpatrick. David Mullen

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The Gaelscoil Thulach na nOg players (from left) were: back - Ben Ó Cearúil, Cian Ó Meachair, Josh Mac Liam, Seán Ó Beoláin, Richard O Fiail, Joe Mac Uait, Charlie Mac Seoin- Ó Néill, Liam Mac Giolla Rua, Jack Ó Scolaí, Ari Ó Sceacháin, Aidan Ó Meachair, Caimin Ó Diarmada, Ruairí Ó Cuinn, Sam Ó Briain, Caleb Ó Gruagáin. Front - Max Mac Larnáin, Cillian Mac Graith, Jack Ó hÓgáin, Eoin Ó Murchú, Tadhg Ó Dubhda, Cóilín Ó Doibhlinn, Harry Ó Leathlobhair, Matt Ó hArrachtáin, Harry Ó Gib, Aaron Ó Conchubhair, Danny Townsend, Lochlann Ó Donnchú, Pádraig Ó Ceallacháin David Mullen

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Frank Reidy presents the Div 1 Shield to Duleek B.N.S. captain Charlie Cummins. PHOTO: DAVID MULLEN/WWW-CYBERIMAGES.NET. David Mullen

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Gaelscoil Thulach na nOg player Richard O Fiail receives the Spirit of the Final award from Frank Reidy. David Mullen

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Duleek B.N.S player Rio Devlin (left) goes on a solo run pursued closely by Gaelscoil Thulach Na nOg’s Coilin O Doibhlinn. David Mullen

Jimmy Geoghegan

Published: Wed 29 Nov 2023, 12:47 PM

Last updated: Wed 29 Nov 2023, 12:52 PM

BOYS' DIV 1 SHIELD

TOM GANNON

A powerful first-half performance from Duleek B.N.S was enough to see them claim the boys Div 1 Shield final 4-7 to 1-10 in what was certainly a game of two halves. Superb exploits from the likes of Kyle Finnegan and Charlie Cummins gave Duleek a commanding lead at half-time. Gaelscoil Thulach na nOg showed great spirit to rally in the second half but it just wasn’t enough and Duleek B.N.S. claimed victory in the enthralling contest.

Thulach na nÓg’s joint captain and keeper Jack Ó Scoalí was called into action early on as he was forced to palm Charlie Cummins attempt over the bar and deny Duleek an early goal. O Scolaí then pulled off a wonderful save from a close range shot of Max McCabe.

Shortly after Kyle Finnegan produced a superb Evan Ferguson-esque finish to put Duleek four points to the good after ten minutes of action.

Aaron Ó’Conchubhair settled the ship for Thulach na nOG with a wonderful point. Duleek responded immediately. Finnegan teed it up lovely for Brodigan to finish to the back of the net.

Then came what was probably the score of the day. Charlie Cummins hit a curler from distance and it dropped right into the top corner of the net. Kyle Finnigan also produced a moment of magic for Duleek’s fourth goal with an effort from distance.

Harry Ó’Leathlobhair got Thulach na nÓG’s fourth score of the game just before half-time as the teams went in for the break.

Thulach Na NÓG came out fighting after the break with two lovely scores from their midfielders Richard O Fiail and Liam Mac Giolla Rua. However, points from Charlie Cummins and Jack Cadwell kept Duleek in a commanding position.

The Gaelscoil had to go in search of a goal or two and despite a very resilient Duleek defence, they finally got the break they were looking for with Seán Ó Beoláin finishing to the back of the net.

Despite a fine second-half performance time ran out for the Gaelscoil and Duleek B.N.S held on for a famous victory.

Duleek B.N.S - Daniel O’Connor; Victor O’Neill, Jamie Martin, Sonny Hislop; Lennon Maher, Callum McArdle, Jack Cadwell (0-1); Charlie Cummins (1-2), Rian Power; Jamie Lacken Campbell, Max McCabe (0-3 one free), Rio Devlin; Jake Brodigan (1-0), Evan O’Leary, Kyle Finnegan (2-1). Subs - James Burke, Sam Hunt, Mason Brady, Jake Smith, Dylan McManus, Cathal Coleman, Michael Gogarty,Taffy, James Quinn, Oisín Cudden, Sam Doyle, Mohammad Salem, Charlie Geraghty, Cian Callaghan, Thomas Hanlon, Zak Meehan, Kai Downes, Joe Courtney, Cade Fitzpatrick. Mentors - James McDonald, Keith McDonald, Ruth Commins.

Gaelscoil Tulach na nÓg - Jack Ó Scolaí; Danny Townsend, Aidan Ó Meachair, Cóilín Ó Doibhlinn; Charlie Mac Seoin-Ó Néill, Joe Mac Uait, Caimin Ó Diarmada; Richard Ó Fiail (0-5 three frees), Liam Mac Giolla Rua (0-2); Ari Ó Sceacháin, Seán Ó Beoláin (1-0), Harry Ó Leathlobhair (0-1); Matt Ó hArrachtáin, Tadhg Ó Dubhda (0-1), Aaron Ó Conchubhair (0-1). Subs - Cian Ó Meachair, Cillian Mac Graith, Jack Ó hÓgáin, Harry Ó Gib, Pádraig Ó Ceallacháin, Sam Ó Briain, Eoin Ó Murchú, Josh Mac Liam, Max Mac Larnáin, Caleb Ó Gruagáin, Lochlann Ó Donnchú, Ruairí Ó Cuinn, Oisín de Paor, Ben Ó Cearúil, Daithí Mac Donnchadha. Mentors - Niamh De Brún, Conor Ó Scolaí, Tónaí Ó hÓgáin.

Referee - Eoin Joyce (St Michael’s NS, Trim)