Cumann na mBunscol Finals: Goals decisive as Baconstown crowned champions
BOYS DIV 4
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Baconstown NS’s Brayden Kelly holds off the challenge of Moynalty NS’s Freya O’Loughlin during Sunday’s Boys Div 4 final at Ashbourne. Photo: Gerry Shanahan / www.cyberimages.net Gerry ShanahanImage 2 of 5
The Baconstown NS players (from left) were: back - Joshua Byrne, Shay Smyth, Adam McKenna, Jayden Keogh, Caolán Dorgan, Conor Kavanagh, James Flynn, Joshua Counihan, Bailey King, Dara Mullen, Luke Buckley Ryan, Caelan Duffy; front - Tiernan Gill, Larry Wall, Jamie Farrell, Jack Holton, Eoghan Enright, Brayden Kelly, Dara Cole, Conall McKenna, Bobby Connelly. David MullenImage 3 of 5
The Moynalty NS players (from left) were: back - Emily Rose Parker, Anna Kavanagh, Freya O'Loughlin, Molly O`Reilly, Charlie Reilly, Alfie Wallace, Rufus O`Loughlin, Joey Lynch, Lewie White, Calvin Travers, Emily Brogan; front - Indyah Mulligan, Terry Gilsenan, Max Carville, Lilly Carville, Freya Sheridan, Conor Gilsenan, Labhraí Pratt, Daniel O`Loughlin, Ódhran Kavanagh. David MullenImage 4 of 5
Baconstown joint captains Conor Kavanagh (left) and Eoghan Enright received the Boys Div 4 Cup from James Brennan. Gerry ShanahanImage 5 of 5
Moynalty NS's Terry Gilsenan received the Spirit of the Final award from Meath Chronicle's Fergal Lynch. Gerry ShanahanDespite being outscored seven scores to nine Baconstown NS proved that goals are still a valuable commodity as they edged out Moynalty by 4-3 to 1-8 in a thrilling Boys Div 4 final at Ashbourne on Sunday.
Goals gave Baconstown the edge in the first-half, but it was Moynalty who enjoyed the lions share of possession and who went closest to finding the net first when Joey Lynch forced Conor Kavanagh into a brilliant save after just 15 seconds.
Terry Gilsenan did give Moynalty the lead in the fifth minute but then Baconstown responded with an outstanding goal from Dara Cole.
Another fine save by Kavanagh prevented Labhrai Pratt from scoring a goal and two minutes later Baconstown grabbed their second goal when Larry Wall netted after a fine run by Eoghan Enright.
Then Moynalty hit a purple patch inspired by Freya O'Loughlin, Lilly Carville, Anna Kavanagh and Gilsenan.
Carville, Kavanagh (two) and O'Loughlin all pointed to close the deficit to the minimum, but Baconstown had the last word of the half with James Flynn on target to secure a 2-1 to 0-5 interval lead.
The goals continued to flow for Baconstown in the second period, but it took over five minutes for the next one to arrive with Dara Cole's shot from distance deceiving the Moynalty defence and ending up in the net.
Terry Gilsenan replied with a converted free, but a brilliant finish from James Flynn, who wore three on his back but played full-forward, made it 4-1 to 0-6.
Gilsenan again dragged Moynalty back into the game with a brilliant point, but two frees from Larry Wall, either side of another Gilsenan point, kept Baconstown clear.
Joey Lynch produced a brilliant finish for a Moynalty goal late on, but that was as close as they could get as Baconstown held on.
Baconstown NS - Conor Kavanagh; Adam McKenna, James Flynn (1-1); Conall McKenna, Bobby Connolly, Luke Buckley Ryan; Dara Cole (2-0), Eoghan Enright; Caolán Dorgan, Brayden Kelly, Larry Wall (1-2 two frees); Shay Smyth, Bailey King. Subs - Tiernan Gill, Caelan Duffy, Jaymie Farrell, Jayden Keogh, Joshua Byrne, Dara Mullen, Joshua Counihan, Jack Holton. Mentors - Darragh Ryan, Máire Keogh, Mickey Cole.
Moynalty NS - Ódhran Kavanagh; Conor Gilsenan, Alfie Wallace; Max Carville, Terry Gilsenan (0-4 one free), Daniel O’Loughlin; Rufus O’Loughlin, Anna Kavanagh (0-2); Freya O’Loughlin, Lilly Carville (0-1), Labhraí Pratt (0-1); Joey Lynch (1-0), Indyah Mulligan. Subs - Freya Sheridan, Charlie Reilly, Emily Brogan, Molly O’Reilly, Emily-Rose Parker, Lewie White, Calvin Travers, Kayla Smith, Réaltín Daly, Renaldas Kancleris, Annabel O’Reilly, Dylan Aviles-Pillay, Sage Sharkey, Doireann Halligan. Mentor - Aaron Browne.
Referee - Kevin Higgins (St Mary's Trim).