MEATH PRIMARY SCHOOLS FINALS: Birmingham goal decisive as Kiltale hold on

Kiltale NS 2-6

Kill NS 2-5

Despite a late revival from St Michael’s Kill which was mostly down to the fantastic efforts of their midfield duo Dylan Doherty and Sam Hayes, Kiltale weathered the storm and secured the Div 4 Hurling title in Trim on Friday.

Kiltale’s performance was largely spearheaded by the equally talented Charlie Lyndon and Ronan Donoghue and the pair combined for 1-5 of Kiltale’s tally. But the crucial goal was scored by Ciara Birmingham who made a big impact when she was introduced into the contest.

It was St Michael’s who started brightest, and a fantastic individual run from Dylan Doherty was polished off nicely when the joint captain found the back of the Kiltale net. Oisin Byrne forced a good save out of the St Michael’s net minder Regan Doherty before Charlie Lyndon got Kiltale off the mark with a free and followed up with another a couple of minutes later.

Jack McCormack brought Kiltale level before Lyndon edged the eventual winners in front with a super free from distance. In the 15th minute, Donoghue struck a free low and hard and found the back of the St Michael’s net. Donoghue then followed up with a point just before the break and half-time Kiltale led 1-5 to 1-0.

St Michael's had strong wind at their back for the second period and Hayes in particular took full advantage with two points in quick succession shortly after the restart. Donoghue struck back for Kiltale with a well-hit free before Dylan Doherty kept St Michael’s in touch with a nicely hit free of his own.

A long ball was played into the St Michael’s danger zone, and Birmingham did ever so well to claim possession and expertly dispatched the ball to the net for a crucial goal.

Dylan Doherty almost got his side back on terms when he scored 1-2 late on but ultimately St Michael’s fell just short as Kiltale were crowned champions.

Kiltale NS : Oisin Kelly; Jamie Black, Ben Black; Charlie Lyndon (0-3 frees), Vincent McCormack; Oisin Byrne, Ronan Donoghue (1-2 frees); Cillian O’Gorman, Jack McCormack (0-1); Darragh Madden, Sean Kelly. Subs: Stephn Murray, Brody O’Connor, Colin Durnin, Liam Maguire, Tom Byrne, Ciara Birmingham (1-0), Anna Kane, Isobel Madden, Tara Madden, Caitlin McGuirk, Kate Molloy, Emily O’Neill. Mentors - C McElroy, C Fitzsimons, J Donoghue.

St Michael’s NS : Regan Doherty; Anna Doherty, Ryan Maher; Peter Callaghen, Ellen Doherty; Dylan Doherty (2-3 three frees), Sam Hayes (0-2); Kayden Doherty, Teddy Kisella Phillips; Finn Mulcahy, Bramble Sheridan. Subs - Eve Doyle, Cora Cosgrave, Eoin Cosgrave, Josh Farrell, Conor Finnegan, Bill O’Halloran, Brer Sheridan, Tadgh Cosgrave, Donnacha Forde, John Forde, James Regan, Kyron Skerry. Mentor - Paul Noonan.

Referee : Chris Lynagh (St Paul’s N.S)