Primary Schools Finals: St Oliver's keep their head to seal crown

BOYS DIV 1 SHIELD

Fergal Lynch

Published: Fri 28 Nov 2025, 5:14 PM

St Oliver Plunkett's defended heroically and proved that goals win games as they hit Gaelscoil Thulach na nOg for four to secure the Boys Div 1 Shield title at Trim on Sunday morning.

Gaelscoil Thulach na nOg started strongest and had three points on the board inside five minutes with Harry Ó Leathlobhair and Lochlann Ó Donnchú on target before Harry Ó Leathlobhair converted a free to make it 0-3 to 0-0.

St Oliver's gave themselves hope with a goal from Layton Conaty and in the 14th minute they benefitted from an officiating error when Ben Murray's point attempt was deemed to have crossed the goal line by an umpire and a second goal was awarded.

Boosted by that stroke of luck St Oliver's stretched their lead to 3-0 to 0-3 when Charlie Mulchrone's short attempt was batted into the path of Michael McAteer who made no mistake from close range.

Harry Ó Leathlobhair settled Gaelscoil Thulach na nOg with his third point and further scores from Cathal Ó Diarmada closed the gap to 0-6 to 3-0 at half time.

23-11-25, Primary School Finals,Game 1 Primary School Boys Div 1 Shield Final,Gaelscoil Thulach na nÓg N.S. vs St Oliver’s N.S. NavanGaelscoil Thulach na nÓg N.S Team, Back Row, L-R, Bobby Ó Cadhain, Donagh Mac Uaitéir, Rian Ó Súilleabháin, Daniel Solon, Seán Pelly, Ruairi Ó Cuinn, Fionn Ó Maoldomhnaigh, Cathal Ó Diarmada, Harry Ó Gibb, Leo Ó Maoilbheannachta, Oran Ó Néill, AJ Ó Ciosóg, Charlie Ó Cearúil, Theo Coquet Furlong, Tom Ó Céitinn, Harry Ó Maoluala, Bart Burkenkov.Front Row, L-R, Oran Mac Mathúna, Lochlann Ó Donnchú, Isaac Breathnach, Aaron Ó Conchubhair, Carter Mac Liam, Andrew Ó Draighneáin, Cillian Mac Antiompanaigh, Harry Ó Leathlobhair, Logan Carolan, Senan Ó Raghallaigh, Daragh Mac an Gheairr, Harry Mac Gabhann, Cathal Ó Moráin.Photo: David Mullen/www.cyberimages.net Photo by David Mullen

The second half started with both goalkeepers making great saves.

Firstly Kyle Brady produced a stunning save to deny Harry Ó Leathlobhair, then Sean Pelly dived magnificently to his right to keep out Caoimhin Cornally's blistering drive.

23-11-25, Primary School Finals,Game 1 Primary School Boys Div 1 Shield Final,Gaelscoil Thulach na nÓg N.S. vs St Oliver’s N.S. NavanSt Oliver’s N.S. Navan Team, Back Row, L-R, Eimear Farrell, Caoimhe Sheils, Cian Reilly, Kyle Brady, Daniel Loganathan, Jack Nolan, Cillian Murtagh Long, Conor Clynch, Jack Clarke, Caoimhin Cornally, Justin Comaskey, Danny Tormey, Mark Tighe, Chloe Lane, Toyo Opdipe.Front Row, L-R, Ben Murray, Michael Rennicks, David Kearney, Charlie Mulchrone, Jack Bellew, Caolan Ryan, Michael McAteer, Layton Conaty, Bogdan Racu, Marcel Sosin, Mark O`Brien, Max McCann.Photo: David Mullen/www.cyberimages.net Photo by David Mullen

Gaelscoil Thulach na nOg eventually found their way past the excellent Brady when Aaron Ó Conchubhair hit the net to restore parity, but that proved to be the Dunboyne side's last score as St Oliver's retook the lead with a fine Chloe Lane point and then wrapped up the win with a superb goal from Jack Bellew.

23-11-25, Primary School Finals,Game 1 Primary School Boys Div 1 Shield Final,Gaelscoil Thulach na nÓg N.S. vs St Oliver’s N.S. NavanFergal Lynch presents the Spirit of the spirit of the final award to Cian Reilly (St Oliver’s N.S. Navan)Photo: David Mullen/www.cyberimages.net Photo by David Mullen

Bellew added another point from a free and one from play to leave his side with a comfortable advantage and they held on despite intense pressure in the closing stages.

23-11-25, Primary School Finals,Game 1 Primary School Boys Div 1 Shield Final,Gaelscoil Thulach na nÓg N.S. vs St Oliver’s N.S. NavanPadraig Farrell presents the shield to St Oliver’s N.S. Navan captain -Jack BellewPhoto: David Mullen/www.cyberimages.net Photo by David Mullen

St Oliver Plunkett PS - Kyle Brady; Justin Comaskey, Jack Clarke, David Kearney; Michael Rennicks, Daniel Loganathan, Cian Reilly; Caoimhin Cornally, Jack Nolan; Conor Clynch, Jack Bellew (1-2 one free), Layton Conaty (1-0); Ben Murray (1-0), Michael McAteer (1-0), Charlie Mulchrone. Subs - Chloe Lane (0-1), Myko Legano Villalobos, Mark O'Brien, Bogdan Racu, Caolan Ryan, Cillian Murtagh Long, Toyo Opdipe, Caoimhe Sheils, Eimear Farrell, Max McCann, Marcel Sosin, Mark Tighe, Danny Tormey. Mentors - Declan Kearns, Piaras Ó Dúláine, Anthony McDonagh.

Gaelscoil Thulach na nOg - Seán Pelly; Oran Ó Néill, Ruairi Ó Cuinn, Fionn Ó Maoldomhnaigh; Theo Coquet Furlong, Daniel Solon, Aaron Ó Conchubhair (1-0); Cathal Ó Diarmada (0-2), Lochlann Ó Donnchú (0-1); Carter Mac Liam, Leo Ó Maoilbheannachta, Senan Ó Raghallaigh; Harry Ó Leathlobhair (0-3 one free), Charlie Ó Cearúil, Harry Ó Gibb. Subs - Andrew Ó Draighneáin, Tom Ó Céitinn, Donagh Mac Uaitéir, Harry Ó Maoluala, Rian Ó Súilleabháin, Isaac Breathnach, Cillian Mac Antiompanaigh, Oran Mac Mathúna, Bart Burkenkov, AJ Ó Ciosóg, Bobby Ó Cadhain, Harry Mac Gabhann, Cathal Ó Moráin, Daragh Mac an Gheairr, Logan Carolan. Mentors - Niamh De Brún, Ross Banahan.

Referee - Kevin Higgins (St Mary’s NS, Trim).