Stafford masterclass inspires Kilmainhamwood to memorable title

Tempers frayed as north Meath rivals clash in Junior B final

Kilmainhamwood ............................1-6-14 (29)

Kilmainham......................................1-3-6 (15)

There are various ways for a GAA club to mark a significant anniversary such as winning a major championship – hold a lavish dinner dance, organise a reunion or present commemorative medals to the heroes involved. Surely, however, the best way of all to mark such an achievement is by winning another championship, on another unforgettable day.

That’s what Kilmainhamwood did at Grangegodden on Sunday when they celebrated 30 years since claiming their one and only Keegan Cup success by bagging the Junior B FC crown with Rian Stafford helping himself to a remarkable 1-16, including an astonishing five two-pointers, in a fiery encounter with north Meath rivals Kilmainham that involved the dismissal of three players.

Kilmainham’s Jamie O’Sullivan and Shane Morgan were sent packing by referee Thomas Macleod, while Kilmainhamwood’s Shane Towley also saw red during that madcap spell between the 50th and 55th minutes when the game momentarily spiraled out of control when little bushfires of conflict broke out all over the pitch.

The young Ballivor match official did well – helped by his umpires and linesmen – to regain some control of matters but for a time the game verged on the edge of anarchy. Macleod had no choice but to step up to the mark and dish out the red cards and he bravely did so. After that the dust settled and tempers cooled – a little.

Indeed, the referee could have shown red to one or two more protagonists as blows were struck and players hit the deck, but he and his fellow officials would have needed the proverbial eyes in the back of their heads to see all that was going on.

Three red cards suggests this was a dirty, mean-spirted affair but it wasn’t, until the fourth quarter when the normal rules were forgotten – at least by some of the combatants.

All that apart there was much for the football purists among the big crowd to be happy about and right up there was Stafford’s incredible, memorable scoring contribution. It was a contribution that finally put paid to Kilmainham’s spirited challenge and ensured his team went home with the silverware.

Kilmainhamwood had gone into the interval with a slender but deserved lead, 0-9 to 0-5. In the third quarter Kilmainham, playing against the breeze, enjoyed their best spell with their hard-grafting marquee player - Mickey Newman - stepping forward to loft over a super point with Stafford converting a free in response.

With 41 minutes on the clock Kilmainham put together a powerful coordinated attack that included Michael Hoey, Dylan Morgan and Declan Mullen. The move finished with Seanie Mahon unleashing a shot close to the Kilmainhamwood goals. Netminder Josh Clarke got a hand to the ball but could not do enough to stop it from going over the goal-line. Shortly afterwards Morgan slotted a neat point over the bar.

Suddenly the sides were level, 0-10 to 1-7. At that stage Kilmainham looked like the team most likely to win the day. Then Joe Shankey edged the ‘Wood one point in front again before Stafford stepped onto centre-stage. His first orange flag on 47 minutes was followed immediately afterwards by a fine individual goal, the talented player dancing around a defender before slotting him.

He then continued to give a masterclass in how to convert two-pointers as he and his colleagues started to make the most of the breeze. One monster two-pointer from Stafford followed another as he stepped into the pocket just outside the arc and made some magic.

Bolstered by these scores his team started to disappear over the horizon with Stafford’s colleague Cillian Burns also slotting over from outside the 40-metre arc. By the time Stafford registered his fifth two-pointer it was deep into injury time. Overall this was a fine attacking display by the ‘Wood with Matthew Vaughan, Brian Cassidy and Eoin Finnegan others to contribute scores.

Kilmainham’s Dylan Morgan showed he could also find the range and power to register three two-pointers of his own over the course of the game, including two in the closing stages, but even that highly commendable feat was overshadowed by Stafford’s heroics. Shane Morgan also added a point to his team’s tally.

When the final whistle blew happy Kilmainhamwood players and fans mingled and mixed in a joyful embrace. They had, after all waited a long, long time for this sweet victory.

Kilmainhamwood – Josh Clarke; Paul Carolan, Noah Madden, Padraic Barber; Dylan Ogle, Killian Russell, Niall Conlan; Ciaran Doyle, Kian Gilllespie; Cillian Burns (0-3 one two pointer), Rian Stafford (1-16 five two-pointers, four frees), Brian Cassidy (0-1); Joe Shankey (0-2), Matthew Vaughan (0-2), Shane Towley (0-1 free). Subs – Aaron O’Donnell for Ogle 53m, Darragh Smith for Vaughan 60m, Eoin Finnegan (0-1) for Shankey 61m, Shane Burns for Barber 62m.

Kilmainham – Terence Daly; Philly Malone, Stephen Newman, Jamie O’Sullivan; Seanie Mahon (1-0), Harry Newman, Lewis Curran; Mickey Newman (0-2), Declan Mullen; Michael Hoey, Andy Arkins, Shane Morgan (0-1); Mark Newman, Dylan Morgan (0-9 three two-pointers, three frees), Gerard Morgan. Subs – Larry Morgan for Arkins half-time, Freddie Newman for Mullen, Scott Lynch for Mark Newman both 55m.

Referee – Thomas Macleod (Ballivor).