Kilmainhamwood GFC U16's secured the Division 6 league title when they defeated a gallant Moynalty in Páirc Tailteann on Wednesday.

Kilmainhamwood 9-13 Moynalty 5-11

From the throw-in midfielder Niall Bennett secured possession and worked the ball to corner forward Adam Crosbie who turned smartly and headed straight for the goals, however his thunderbolt went the wrong side of the post. Moynalty opened the scoring in the second minute with an effort off the post. In the third minute, Adam Crosbie was in again on goal but his effort was saved this time and from the resultant rebound, Moynalty defense conceded a free which Niall Bennett slotted over from 20 meters to get the 'Wood up and running. Moynalty edged ahead in the 5th minute with a run straight through the Kilmainhamwood defense but the two Nialls, Conlon and Bennett combined to restore parity for the 'Wood. In the 8th minute a Moynalty pick-up off the ground resulted in a 40 meter free which Niall Bennett sailed over the black spot cleverly using the significant breeze. Straight from the kick-out midfielder Declan Reilly soared into the evening sky to claim his ball and set Adam Crosbie in on goal … third time lucky, Adam slotted her home to raise a green flag. In the 9th minute, Niall Conlon split the posts as Kilmainhamwood were starting to fine form. Credit to Moynalty they raised their game too and scored two well taken points to leave it Kilmainhamwood 1-04 : 0-04 Moynalty in the 11th minute.

The Kilmainhamwood squad

In the 12th minute, Jamie Fagan latched onto a loose ball and clever interplay between Adam Crosbie & Declan Reilly released Niall Conlon who was unlucky to see his well-struck effort drift wide. From the kick-out Adam Crosbie executed a wonderful catch and as he twisted and turned the opposition defense into knots, complete with a clothes-line tackle which the referee played advantage, he swung over a beauty to keep the scoreboard ticking. In the 13th minute the Moynalty cavalry arrived and full-backs Callum Crosbie and David Carolan superbly held them up until Brian Cassidy was able to get back and make a goal-saving block. Jamie Fagan caught the out-field kick and found the on-running Adam Crosbie who played in the alert Jonathan Reilly, who perfected an excellent turn and lofted her over the bar with a sweet left footer to make it 1-06 : 0-04 in favour of the men from the 'Wood. In the 14th minute Ordhan Keogan got his name on the scoresheet with a well worked point from a ball he fought hard to win. Declan Reilly was continuing to be everywhere around the middle and some clever interplay involving Brian Cassidy resulted in Niall Conlon breaking free but only a wide was recorded.

Back in defense, David Carolan and Callum Crosbie worked well together to force the Moynalty attack to kick a wide before the men from the Tidy Town they found their range and rattled in 1-01 in quick succession. Niall Bennett went down with an injury and there was concern for a short period before the talisman got back to his feet and resumed normal service. In the 18th minute, David Carolan executed a great catch under pressure and Niall Conlon and Jonathan Reilly worked the ball into goal-magnet Adam Crosbie who duly applied the finish to put the 'Wood 2-07 : 1-05 to the good. The scores were coming thick and fast and Moynalty tagged on a point before Callum Crosbie brilliantly intercepted a ball and Keith Reilly got in for a goal after being setup by Niall Bennett, Jamie Fagan and Adam Crosbie. A Moynalty goal in the 23rd minute kept the noisy crowd noisy. Oldest brother Declan Reilly and youngest brother Oisín Reilly (a late replacement for the unlucky Dean Carolan who got injured during the day at school) combined to setup middle brother Keith Reilly for another white flag raiser on 24 minutes. From the kick-out Adam Crosbie again hit the back of the onion bag and Oisín Reilly was unlucky to see his well-executed effort hit the crossbar. As half-time approached it looked like the 'Wood would bring a commanding lead into the break but Moynalty produced a scintillating last few minutes bagging 1-02, which could have been a lot more but for the heroics of Kaylem Russell in the goals, David Carolan and Callum Crosbie in the full-back line and Brian Cassidy, Odhrán Keogan and Jamie Fagan in the half-backs. All this meant that Kilmainhamwood lead by 4-08 : 3-08 at the interval but Moynalty would have been the happier running down the tunnel for their half-time team-talk on account of the productive last five minutes.

Kilmainhamwood celebrate

When play resumed in the second half, Declan Reilly won a great ball around the middle of the field and found the always-alert Niall Conlon who, after a clever one-two with Oisín Reilly, got Kilmainhamwood motoring again with a lovely point from distance. Niall Bennett followed that up with a thunderbolt to the back of the net following great industry from Declan Reilly and Jamie Fagan. That goal seemed to spark Moynalty into live as they secured 2-02 over the next ten minutes leaving it Kilmainhamwood 5-10 : 5-11 Moynalty with 14th minutes gone in the second half. Kilmainhamwood management team of Aidan Crosbie, Gerry Bennett and Dan Breen made some astute switches in an attempt to counteract the Moynalty men that were doing the damage.

Moynalty were well and truly on-top and it looked like the game might be getting away from the 'Wood. However, nobody told Jonathan Reilly this as he jinked his way in for a goal and then Brian Cassidy tagged on another one-pointer. In the 20thminute of the second half David Carolan, Brian Cassidy and Oisín Reilly combined expertly to setup Declan Reilly for another lovely score. The 24th minute of the second half was to prove decisive as goals from Adam Crosbie and Niall Conlon made it increasingly likely that the cup would be heading to Kilmainhamwood that night. Moynalty pressed hard but Kaylem Russell pulled off a fine save with David Carolan on-hand to clear and Jamie Fagan running the show, despite shipping a heavy knock moments early, the final outcome was beginning to take shape. With time ticking down Jonathan Reilly cleverly flicked to ball over the advancing keeper and Niall Conlon rounded off the scoring with a typically elegant point to put Kilmainhamwood 9-13 : 5-11 to the good.

This was a wonderful team effort when everyone shining at different times in the game. The management and team can be very proud of themselves because despite what the scoreline might suggest, this was one tough final. Credit to Moynalty for never giving up and working right to the end. Thanks to all that travelled to Navan to support the lads and remember you can continue to support Kilmainhamwood by playing our lotto online at www.locallotto.ie/kilmainhamwoodgfc #ItsThereToBeWon

Kilmainhamwood: 1. Kaylem Russell, 3. Oisín Reilly, 4. David Carolan, 5. Odhrán Keogan (0-01), 6. Brian Cassidy (0-01), 7. Jamie Fagan (0-01), 8. Declan Reilly (0-01), 9. Niall Bennett (1-03), 10. Keith Reilly (1-01), 11. Niall Conlon (1-03), 12. Callum Crosbie, 13. Jonathan Reilly (2-01), 15. Adam Crosbie (4-01).

Frank Gallogly presents the U16 Division 6 FL Cup to David Carolan

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