Kilbride 2-11 Ratoath 2-9

Kilbride's under age success continues after claiming the U16 division 3 title for the second year running. To view photos click here

After two games into the competition you wouldn't have predicted that it was going to be Kilbride's year.

A semi final win which saw them reverse an earlier round defeat to Killary Emmets meant they were back in another final, If they were to be successful again then they would have to beat another team that had also inflicted defeat earlier in round 1 and they were neighbours Ratoath.

The final was an early one last Sunday in Dunganny, Kilbride were coming into this in fine form having made light work of their opponents in the semi final. They also welcomed back Timmy Farrell who had been out of action for the last 18 months due to injury, could he be the difference?

Early exchanges saw Kilbride on top on the pocession stakes but were guilty of not taking there early chances. The first score did come on 5 minutes, a goal from Conor McWeeney, and 4 minutes later McWeeney was on hand again when he slotted over a point. Kilbride were playing all the football. There backs were solid and Ratoath found it hard to break down an excellent defensive unit. Zack McGovern got his first point of the day on 9 minutes and two minutes later his second for well derserved lead. Kilbride would have to wait until the 28 minute for there next score and during the intervening  period Ratoath would register 1-2 with the goal arriving from the penalty spot. It was a real contest as both teams show cased there skills  Kilbride talisman Andrew McWeeney was forced off injured just before the break. Josh Harford slotted over a free on 28 minutes to extend Kilbrides lead to two but Ratoath responded with a point of there own to leave just one in it at the break.

Half Time Kilbride 1- 4 Ratoath 1-3

After the break Ratoath dominated and raced clear after registering there second goal. A period of dominance followed and with 15 minutes left you could only see one winner. A point from Josh Harford kick started the fight back, Ben Donnelly and Brian Donnelly were working tirelessly and Timmy Farrell also found his range with two excellent points and an excellent save from Ratoath keeper kept them ahead but just. Both teams traded points but the turning point came with 7 minutes remaining. Ratoath cut open Kilbrides defence, a certain goal was on the cards but Kilbrides number one had other ideas and he pulled off a marvelous save to keep Kilbride in it, Kilbride responded, Finn Whyte, Conor O'Driscoll, Caolan Howard, Max Barrett were all magnificent in the last quarter,

The decisive score came with only 5 minutes left, It came from another turn over back in Kilbrides half, Dynamo Conor McWeeney shifted a few heavy tackles to find Harford who cut inside and with a clever hand pass put Farrell through on goal and he mad no mistake with a rocket of a shot to the roof of the net to put Kilbride 2 and send the large Kilbride following wild. Kilbride won the resulting kick out and another attack drew a free and Josh Harford slotted over his third of the game. Ratoath rallied and scored two more points to leave the bare minimum in it but it was the returning Farrell who when deep into injury time slotted over a magnificent point to secure a memorable win.

It was an excellent team performance and Kilbride just shaded it and in doing so secured back to back u16 league titles..

Kilbride: Paul Hayes Caolan Howard Conor O'Driscoll Max Barrett Finn Whyte Brian Donnelly Jack Sweeney Ben Donnelly Andrew McWeeney Conor McWeeney 1-2 Josh Harford 0-3  Killian Thornton Timmy Farrell 1-4 Zack McGovern 0-2 Aaron Nulty, Subs  Adam Smith for McWeeney, Jake Brerton for Thornton

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