Navan O’Mahony’s 0-05
Kildalkey 2-07
It wasn’t Navan O’Mahony’s day in the Minor Hurling Final in Kiltale on Saturday afternoon, when Kildalkey brough the title home for the first time in over 70 years. In a lack-lustre game, O’Mahony’s struggled to get going throughout.
Kildalkey opened the scoring with a free after three minutes, while Dean Walsh, with the wind behind him, pointed from play to get O’Mahony’s on the scoreboard. This was followed shortly afterwards by a point from play from Seb Snow to give O’Mahony’s the lead.
Two minutes later, Kildalkey drew level. Midway through the half, O’Mahony’s went three points clear with three frees, one from Snow and two from Eoghan McDermott. This ultimately proved to be their last score of the game. Kildalkey reduced the deficit with ten minutes remaining in the half, and took the goal with a lead four minutes later. A late point for Kildalkey saw them take a two-point lead into half time.
Navan O’Mahony’s 0-05
Kildalkey 1-04
Although against a strong wind in the second half, it was very much all to play for. In the early stages of the half, O’Mahony’s had a number of opportunities that either were wide of target or dropped short and cleared by an alert Kildalkey defence.
The first score of the half came from a Kildalkey free in the ninth minute. The clouds that had been threatening since the middle of the first half opened in the second, with a ail-shower and gales of wind sending supporters seeking cover.
Three points separated the sides and O’Mahony’s did create some scoring opportunities but were denied by Kildalkey. On the twenty-minute mark, a 65 gave Kildalkey an insurance point and really left O’Mahony’s with a lot to do. They added to this with a free four minutes later and a late goal sealed the day and ensure victory went to Kildalkey.
Navan O’Mahony’s
Dan Carolan, Sam O’Brien, Luke Brady, Aaron Gavin, Diarmuid O Bric, Bobby Gaffney, Hugh Clarke Carolan, Seb Snow (0-02), Eoghan McDermott (0-02), Max Condon, Dean Walsh (0-01), Michael Byrne, Luke Casey, Lorcan McDermott, Euan Kerr
Daithi Wade, Harry McGuirk
