Cahill inspires St Anne’s to first title

Fergal Lynch

Published: Thu 29 Oct 2026, 12:07 PM

St Anne's NS...........................3-8

St Stephen's NS......................2-7

After knocking on the door a good few times over the last 20 years St Anne's Navan finally made it into the winners circle as they edged lout town rivals St Stephen's in a thrilling Boys Div 2/3 Shield final at Trim on Thursday.

22-10-26, Primary School Finals, Game 4 Boys Div 2-3 Shield finalSt Anne's Navan v St Stephen's NavanSt Annes NS players Jake Noikovas and Daniel Duffy Wright celebrate at the final whistle after defeating St Stephen's Navan in the Boys Div 2-3 Shield finalPhoto: David Mullen/www.cyberimages.net Photo by David Mullen

It had looked set to be plain sailing for St Anne's as they wore the O'Mahonys colours with distinction and roared into a 1-6 to 0-1 interval lead inspired by the brilliant Harvey Cahill and Cian Dunphy.

However, St Stephen's battled back in the second period and clawed their way back into contention with goals from Oliver Towell and the lively Noah O'Brien giving them hope, but time eventually ran out on them.

ST. ANNE’S N.S. players celebrate after their win in the Cumann na mBun Scoil, Meath Primary Schools finals, at St Loman's Park, Trim, County Meath.Photo: Gerry Shanahan-www.cyberimages.net22/10/2026 Photo by Gerry Shanahan

It took less than 20 seconds for Harvey Cahill to open the scoring as he carved through the heart of the St Stephen's defence before blasting to the net.Scores became difficult to come by with five of the remaining seven points in the half coming from St Anne's frees as Harvey Cahill landed two, while Cian Dunphy kicked a brace to add to a converted free from captain James Regan.

Fergal Lynch, Meath Chronicle Sports Editor, presents the Spirit of the Final award to Harvey Cahill of ST. ANNE’S N.S. during the Cumann na mBun Scoil, Meath Primary Schools finals, at St Loman's Park, Trim, County Meath.Photo: Gerry Shanahan-www.cyberimages.net22/10/2026 Photo by Gerry Shanahan

St Stephen's sole reply was a point from Noah O'Brien in the 18th minute, while Harvey Cahill scored St Anne's only point from play to ensure that 1-6 to 0-1 interval lead.

The second-half was much more exciting.

22-10-26, Primary School Finals, Game 4 Boys Div 2-3 Shield finalSt Anne's Navan v St Stephen's NavanSt Anne's Navan Team, Back Row, L-R, Frankie Barry, Evan Moore, Jacob Roche, David McLoughlin, Harry McCaffrey, Jake Noikovas, Harvey Cahill, Edward Cahill, Joseph O’Rourke, Edward Costan, Jacob Roche, Frederico Peres Dos Santos Araujo, Daniel Duffy Wright, Rory Lyons.Front Row, L-R, Aaron Lynch, Adam Coyne, Ryan Rennicks, Ben Carroll, Cian Dunphy, Jake O’Sullivan, Muhammad Usman Zia, Eoghan Eiffe Kiernan, James Regan, Leonardo Talon, Jason Fleming, Daniel Laird,Photo: David Mullen/www.cyberimages.net Photo by David Mullen

Further frees from Cian Dunphy and Harvey Cahill extended St Anne's lead and when Cahill turned over a St Stephen's attack and linked up with Jake Noikovas before blasting the second of his three goals the advantage was extended to 13-points.

However St Stephen's dominated the final 20 minutes as a Noah O'Brien free was followed by Oliver Towell's goal, and when Noah O'Brien (free) and Igor Nowak tagged on points the deficit was down to 1-4 to 3-8 with 12 minutes left.

22-10-26, Primary School Finals, Game 4 Boys Div 2-3 Shield finalSt Anne's Navan v St Stephen's NavanSt Stephen's Navan Team, Back Row, L-R, Igor Nowak, Efosa Agbonze, Reuben Farrell, Rhian Conway, Conor Cheevers, Daniel Behan, Edward Letinois, Pietro Cipolli Dos Santos, Liam Coughlin, John Hannigan, Oliver Towell, Trayvon Adelowaken.Front Row, L-R, John Paul Reilly, Jayden Lee, Oliver Chaney, Noah O’Brien, Leighton McTiernan, Brody Fitzpatrick, Eric Szorenyi, Jerome Jacob, Oliver K.P, Charlles Miguel.Photo: David Mullen/www.cyberimages.net Photo by David Mullen

A brilliant fetch, turn and finish to the net by Harvey Cahill settled St Anne's and it turned out to be a crucial goal as St Stephen's bagged their second goal from Noah O'Brien after a clever solo and go to leave just five between the sides again with eight minutes left.

Noah O'Brien continued to eat into that deficit with converted frees, but time ran out as St Stephen's firsat appearance in a Cumann na mBunscol final ended in disappointment.

Máire Ní Ghealbháin presents the shield to James Regan (left) and David McLoughlin , captains of ST. ANNE’S N.S. during the Cumann na mBun Scoil, Meath Primary Schools finals, at St Loman's Park, Trim, County Meath.Photo: Gerry Shanahan-www.cyberimages.net22/10/2026 Photo by Gerry Shanahan

St Anne's NS: Harry McCaffrey; Rory Lyons, Joseph O’Rourke; Jacob Roche, James Regan (0-1 free), Edward Cahill; David McLoughlin, Jason O’Rourke; Cian Dunphy (0-3 frees), Harvey Cahill (3-4 three frees), Jason Fleming; Eoghan Eiffe Kiernan, Jake Noikovas. Subs: Ben Carroll, Evan Moore, Daniel Laird, Leonardo Talon, Edward Costan, Daniel Duffy Wright, Martin McDonagh, Frankie Barry, Frederico Peres Dos Santos Araujo, Jake O’Sullivan, Aaron Lynch, Adam Coyne, Muhammad Usman Zia, Ryan Rennicks. Mentors: C Kelly, M Brennan, M Leavy, A Kavanagh.

St Stephen's NS: Edward Letinois; Oliver Chaney, Conor Cheevers; Jerome Jacob, Daniel Behan, John Hannigan; Liam Coughlin, Efosa Agbonze; Brody Fitzpatrick, Noah O’Brien (1-6 five frees), Leighton McTiernan; Trayvon Adelowaken, Reuben Farrell. Subs: Oliver Towell (1-0), Rhian Conway, Igor Nowak (0-1), Charlles Miguel, Eric Szorenyi, John Paul Reilly, Oliver KP, Pietro Cipolli Dos Santos, Callum Murphy. Mentors: Luke Sheridan, Kevin McCormack.

Referee: James Minnock (Wilkinstown NS).

Check out more photos from the game by clicking here