Kildare hold off Meath's late push to retain Paul McGirr Cup
June 07, 2025
Kildare's Charlie Cullen moves in to block Lewis Ryan's (Meath) shot during the Paul McGirr Cup final at Tullamore
Kildare are All-Ireland minor football Tier 2 champions for the second year in-a-row after defeating neighbours Meath by 2-12 to 1-12 in Tullamore.
Calum Calum Keaveny's goal after three minutes gave the defending champions an ideal start to this decider and the same player would goal again some 25 minutes later to help send the Lilywhites in at half-time with a commanding 2-7 to 0-3 advantage.
A goal from Sean Smith got Meath motoring nine minutes into the second-half and they’d land points via CJ Lynch, Charlie Gallagher and Stephen Cahill to keep themselves in with an outside change for the title.
Ollie Deller’s point put Kildare back up by six with as many minutes remaining ahead of back-to-back two-pointers from Gallagher putting real heat on the holders in the closing stages.
Niall Cronin’s side held out to win by three in the though, with Pauric Carty sailing over the game’s lasty point which proved the insurance for them in the end.
Tweet2025 Paul McGirr Cup Champions!
— Kildare GAA (@KildareGAA) June 7, 2025
Congratulations to the team & management 🏳 pic.twitter.com/ToZskoorZz
