Primary School Finals: Drumbaragh hold on in Trim thriller

BOYS DIV 5

This pulsating Boys Div 5 final went right to the wire with Drumbaragh surviving a brave, battling display by Kilbeg to secure the title in sensational style at Trim on Sunday afternoon.

Drumbaragh were in pole position at half-time when leading by 1-3 to 0-4 despite playing against the strong breeze and they looked to be in complete control when leading by 2-7 to 1-4 with just 12 minutes remaining.

However, inspired by the outstanding Tommy Farrelly Kilbeg never gave up and closed to within a point with a minute remaining, but the equaliser never came as the Ciaran Connolly inspired Drumbaragh side held on.

Conor Og Walsh scrambled a crucial early goal for Drumbaragh against the wind and even though Tommy Farrelly replied for Kilbeg, Drumbaragh continued to move the ball well with Ciaran Connolly clipping two points to make it 1-2 to 0-1.

A hat-trick of points from Tommy Farrelly (two frees) closed the deficit to one, but Ciaran Connolly ensured Drumbaragh took a 1-3 to 0-4 lead at the break.

Within a minute of the restart Ciaran Connolly added a goal from a point attempt that dropped short and he won the subsequent kickout to add a further point.

Joey Duignan made it 2-5 to 0-4 seconds later as Kilbeg struggled to get out of their half.

A Ciaran Connolly free stretched Drumbaragh's lead, but Kilbeg gave themselves hope when Tommy Farrelly's shot inched over the line.

Joey Duignan settled Drumbaragh, but a brace of Tommy Farrelly frees ensured Kilbeg kept their north Meath rivals honest.

Another Ciaran Connolly free made it 2-8 to 1-6 with nine minutes remaining and Ruairi Kavanagh kept Kilbeg alive with a stunning save to deny John Brooks a goal.

Tommy Farrelly closed the gap to four and when Jake Kearney scrambled a goal after Tommy Farrelly's initial shot was saved by Pauric Murray it set up a grandstand finish, but time ran out for the Kilbeg side as Drumbaragh held on.

Drumbaragh NS - Pauric Murray; Kayla Renehan, Oran Ephgrave; Oisin Downes, Charlie Meegan; Rocco Farrell, Ciarán Connolly (1-6 two frees); Hollie Curran, John Brooks; Joey Duignan (0-2), Luke Campbell. Subs - Zachary Morris, Conor Óg Walsh (1-0), Thomas Duffy, Albert Caldare. Mentors - Sarah Clarke, Lisa Brennan.

Kilbeg NS - Ruairí Kavanagh; Cooper Kellett, Mason Kellett; Callum Williams, Charlie Barrett-Lynch; Abbie Jackson, Jack Smith; James Gaffney, Tommy Farrelly (2-7 four frees); Una Uradnikova, Jake Kearney. Subs - Eli Griffin, Lewis Lynch, James Cooney, Jake McGivern, Hazel O’Connor, James Clarke, Eoghan Lynch, Killian Farrell, Reuben Cassidy. Mentors - Jennifer Farrelly, Thomas Farrelly.

Referee - Gerard Dwane (St Michael’s NS, Trim).