MEATH PRIMARY SCHOOLS FINAL: Baconstown blitz edges out brave Ratoath SNS

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Baconstown NS 3-6

Ratoath SNS 1-10

Baconstown’s brilliant full-back line was crucial to their success over Ratoath SNS in the Div 1/2 Hurling Shield final at Trim on Thursday afternoon.

The blustery conditions certainly played their part as Baconstown took full advantage of the wind at their back in the first-half. In the second-half, the eventual winners managed the game very well and secured the victory.

Barbara Munnelly presents the shield to Brayden Kelly Baconstown N.S. (Captain) during the Cumann na mBun Scoil Meath Primary Schools DIV. 1/2 HURLING SHIELD FINAL, at St Loman's Park, Trim, County Meath.Photo: Gerry Shanahan-www.cyberimages.net11/06/2026 Photo by Gerry Shanahan

Ratoath started brightest when Evan Kelly got them off the mark before Kelly’s midfield partner Michael Ryan set up Leo Goodall for a nice score. Baconstown struck back with a bang when Eoghan Enright found the back of the Ratoath net before a Dara Cole free put them ahead by two points after five minutes.Ratoath got back on level terms with points from Kayden Clarke and Conor Fitzgerald. However, Baconstown seized momentum and scored 2-2 before the short whistle. The green flags came courtesy of a second goal for Enright and a superb long-range effort from Larry Wall. Cole knocked over another couple of frees as Baconstown led at the break 3-3 to 0-4.

After the restart, a Fitzgerald free and a long-range point from Kelly were cancelled out by another couple of frees from Cole. Michael Gallagher set up Ryan for a fine score before Fitzgerald reduced the gap back to six points.

Meath Chronicle sports reporter, Tom Gannon, presents the Spirit of the Final Award to Shay Smyth of Baconstown N.S. during the Cumann na mBun Scoil Meath Primary Schools DIV. 1/2 HURLING SHIELD FINAL, at St Loman's Park, Trim, County Meath.Photo: Gerry Shanahan-www.cyberimages.net11/06/2026 Photo by Gerry Shanahan

Baconstown’s full-back Shay Smith, who was absolutely fantastic throughout, struck a lovely free from distance to break Ratoath’s momentum. Ratoath closed out the game well as Fitzgerald and Greg Campbell knocked over points before Fitzgerald’s free from distance rattled the back of the Baconstown net.

However, Baconstown survived that late onslaught from Ratoath and were crowned champions.

11-06-26, Primary School Finals,Division 1/2 Hurling Shield FinalBaconstown N.S. v Ratoath S.N.S.Baconstown N.S. Team, Back Row, L-R, Conor Kavanagh, Shay Smyth, Luke Ryan Buckley, Brayden Kelly, Tiernan Gill, Jayden Keogh, Caolán Dorgan, James Flynn, Joshua Byrne.Front Row, L-R, Jack Holton, Bailey King, Bobby Conolly, Conall McKenna, Larry Wall, Eoghan Enright, Jaymie Farrell, Adam McKenna, Dara Cole.Photo: David Mullen/www.cyberimages.net Photo by David Mullen

Baconstown : Tiernan Gill; Conall McKenna, Shay Smith (0-1 free); Brayden Kelly, Luke Ryan Buckley, Joshua Byrne; Caolan Dorgan, Eoghan Enright (2-0); Larry Wall (1-0), Dara Cole (0-5 four frees), James Flynn; Adam McKenna, Bailey King . Subs :Jaymie Farrell, Bobby Connolly, Jayden Keogh, Jack Holton, Conor Kavanagh. Mentors - Darragh Ryan, Máire Keogh, Mickey Cole

11-06-26, Primary School Finals,Division 1/2 Hurling Shield FinalBaconstown N.S. v Ratoath S.N.S.Ratoath S.N.S. Team, Back Row, L-R, Jake Kelly, Luke Cheevers, Greg Campbell, Conor Fitzgerald, Evan Kelly, Hugh McNerney, Caelan Grall, Cillian Fitzgerald, Michael Ryan, Alex Kelly, Finn Friswell, Conall Grogan, Leighton Carey, Luke Kane.Front Row, L-R, Seán O’Brien, Hugo Lane, Kayden Clarke, Noah De La Vega, Michael Gallagher, Odhran Phelan, Aodhán Milne, Leo Goodall, Jack O’Meara, Michael Barron,Photo: David Mullen/www.cyberimages.net Photo by David Mullen

Ratoath :Noah De La Vega; Jack O’Meara, Hugh McNerney; Odhran Phelan, Caelen Grall, Conor Fitzgerald (1-4 frees); Conall Grogan, Michael Ryan (0-1); Evan Kelly (0-2), Michael Gallagher, Greg Campbell (0-1); Kayden Clarke (0-1), Leo Goodall (0-1). Subs :Alex Kelly, Cillian Fitzgerald, Hugo Lane, Aodhan Milne, Finn Friswell, Michael Barron, Luke Kane, Leighton Carey, Karthik Muthuvelraj, Jake Kelly, Luke Cheevers, Sean O’Brien, Omar Keogh. Niamh Shaw, Oonagh Conlon, Alan Mulvany

Referee : Sean Geraghty (Gilson NS, Oldcastle).

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