MEATH PRIMARY SCHOOLS FINALS: Great start half the battle as Carnaross hold on to win

Carnaross NS2-6

Killyon NS1-8

The importance of making a bright start in any game was underlined in this Div 5 Hurling final at Trim on Thursday with Carnaross racing into a 2-0 to 0-0 lead in the opening minutes. It was a lead that provided the foundations for ultimate success.

Hugh Farrelly and Jack Brady scored those early goals that set Carnaross on their way. In front by 2-5 to 1-3 at the break Carnaross managed to stay one step ahead with some sound and sturdy defending helping to keep Killyon at bay, especially in the second-half when the players in green and red had a sturdy breeze behind them.

Brady had a major influence finishing with super 1-3 while Farrelly was next in his team’s scoring charts with the goal he scored in the opening minutes. It was a fine piece of opportunism, as he was able to get to the end of a Brady centre and cleverly divert the ball to the net.

James Brady also showed plenty of determination and enterprise for the winners and finished up with two points, one from a free while the hard-grafting Hugh Woods was another to raise a white flag. Some of Carnaross’s stickwork and ability to take scores was of the highest quality – as it had to be to contain a strong and spirited Killyon side.

They gave themselves a real chance when, against the breeze, they engineered a goal in the opening half with Aine Ward and Jamie Gilsenan involved in the carefully constructed build up that ended with Jack Quinn firing home.

Killyon had five scorers with captain fantastic Killian Mitchell and David Feeney contributing three points apiece while Ward and Sean Mulchrone tagged on one apiece.

It was a very decent tally to get in the difficult conditions but they couldn’t overtake Carnaross who fought and battled for every ball like a true team of heroes.

Carnaross NS: Tiernan Mulvany; Michael Dunne, Kieran Yore, Eoghan Larkin; Jack Brady (1-3), Tom Yore; James Brady (0-2 one free), Hugh Woods (0-1), Hugh Farrelly (1-0). Subs – Dillon Finn, Sam Walsh, Aaron Ormiston, Sam Farrell, Ben Murphy, Conor Doughty Stanley, Charlie Shannon, Bobby Newman, Ken O’Brien de Carvalho, Eoghan Comiskey, Callum Caffrey. Mentors – Rachael Browne, Tommy Barrett.

Killyon NS: Tom Flanagan; Emily Quinn, Killian Mitchell (0-3 frees), David Feeney (0-3 frees); Sean Mulchrone (0-1), Jamie Gilsenan; Jack Quinn (1-0), Aine Ward (0-1 free), Matthew Cunningham. Subs – DJ Duignan, Gearoid Joyce, Erin McCormack, Maksim Lazaryev, Warren Duignan, Cameron Farrelly, Matthew Carney. Mentors – Angela Sheerin, David Mitchell.

Referee: Nigel Ryan (St Oliver’s NS, Navan).