Killary Emmets 1-13 Skryne 0-7

Killary Emmets claimed the Liam Tolan Cup for the Meath Minor Division 2 Championship Final in Donaghmore Ashbourne. Photos 

This was a fitting venue for the final as Liam Tolan graced the field in Ashbourne on many occasions while playing for the his local club Skryne and the local Ashbourne Community school that he attended. This was the third occasion that these teams met over the past two years and it was Killary who had the upper hand going into the final after recently beating Skryne in the group stages. The scene was set and the pitch and facilities was in perfect condition for a championship final. Ironically enough referee Andrew Smith who took charge of the final also officiated the same two teams in the 2019  Cross Border Leinster Final which Killary won too. Captain Rian Mc Connell won the toss and decided to play against the wind in the first half. You could feel the tension building as Amhrán na bhFiann was playing and both teams grouped together ready for battle.

The ball was thrown up and straight away Skryne won position and penetrated the Killary defence but failed to score. It was a nervous start by both teams but Killary spurred two really good goal scoring opportunities and Skryne were also guilty of some poor finishing. It was 8 minutes into the game before Skryne got their first score from the boot of John Finnerty and this was followed up quickly by corner forward Andrew Canavan to put them ahead by two. Adam Matthews opened Killarys scoring on 11 minutes with a beautiful struck point from a difficult angle. Rian Mc Connell levelled the game with a free kick after a foul on Adam Matthews. It was level at the first water break but Billy Smith put Skryne ahead again with a lovely long range point from in front of the stand much to the delight of the large Skryne contingent. The Killary goal keeper Aron Monaghan was called into action with a super save from a pile driver of a shot from John Finnerty which he held well and without hesitation headed up the pitch like Rory Beggan in the All Ireland Semi Final against Tyrone looking for the score but instead laid it off and headed back to his goal like Davy Fitzgerald in the 1996 All Ireland Hurling final for Clare at flat to the matt speed.  Ciaran Quinn went on a mazy run through the Killary defence and slotted over their fourth point of the game. Eoin Dillon got Killary back in business with a well executed point against a strong breeze and followed up with an excellent shot from a tight angle to level the game. Skryne took over again and when Andrew Canavan broke through the Killary defence with only the keeper to beat everyone thought this was the turning point but up stepped Aron Monaghan with a super point blank save to deny Canavan the lime light and stop an almost certain goal. From the resulting 45 Skryne took the lead again from the boot of Ciaran Quinn. Keeper Aron Monaghan continuously found his man from the Killary kick outs and with county minors Killain Smyth, Rian Mc Connell and Adam Matthews terrorising the Skryne defence with their direct running, kept them in touch all the way up to half time. Rian Mc Connell fired over the last score of the first half to leave the game Skryne 0:06 Killary Emmetts 0:05

The start of the second half was a nervy affair with both teams coughing up prime possession but neither teams punishing their opponent. Killary got to grips with the game and when Rian Mc Connell fired over the equalising score from a free and things started to change and the intensity that Killary brought to the game started to show. Adam Matthews broke Skrynes hearts on numerous occasions with his darting runs and finished of with a beautiful point from the left wing to take the lead score on 35 minutes. Killary totally dominated the third quarter and with three points in a row from the boot of Adam Matthews the game appeared to be slipping away from Skryne. Corey Curtis and Jack Dowdall worked extremely hard on the wings turning over ball after ball and setting up the play and Darragh Kelly who was very closely marked throughout the game worked well in creating space for the other lads to get scores. John Gabriel Gomez (GABO) replaced Cormac Dardis and instantly made a huge difference at full forward with his strength, workrate and ball retention. Ciaran Quinn pointed a free for Skryne just before the second water brake and this was to be their last score in the game. A fortuitous goal fell to the ever-impressive Eoin Dillon who capped of a good evenings work with a well taken goal to lift the roof of the Ashbourne stand and dugout.  At the water break the score was Killary 1:10 Skryne 0:07.

Killary introduced two subs Mark Goslin and Ewan Sheridan and instantly got involved in the action with Mark Goslin slipping the ball to Adam Matthews who coolly slotted over his sixth point of the game. Skryne were not given u easy and they pushed hard and broke through the Killary defence twice to created two good goal chances but the ever impressive goalkeeper Aron Monaghan came to the rescue once again with his heel saving a shot form Andrew Nolan and a shot from Billy Smith was turn away for a 45. The Full Back line of Darren Mc Mahon ,Mark Young and Cillian Oaks was outstanding throughout the game and turned over the Skryne forward line on numerous occasions. Patrick Balfe, Killian Smyth and Cormac Farrelly were equally on top throughout  in  the half back line and nothing was getting through easy. Killian Smyth broke from defence and with some excellent quick handpassing moves set up Adam Matthews again to slot over a point and ultimately but the game out of sight for Skryne. Killarys fitness was a major factor in the last ten minutes of the game when they totally dominated the game and when Rian Mc Connell kicked over his fifth point of the game it was only a matter of time when referee Andrew Smith blew the final whistle.

The jubilation of the Killary Emmetts squad was one of sheer delight and relief because after two semi finals in three years this was a badly needed success for this combination who have put some serious work into developing players to play at a high level. Joint captains Mark Goslin and Rian Mc  Connell lifted the Liam Tolan cup much to the delight of their parents, mentors and many supporters.

Killary Emmets: Aron Monaghan, D. Mc Mahon, M. Young, C. Oaks, C. Farrelly, K. Smyth, P. Balfe, C. O Dea, R. Mc Connell, J. Dowdall, D. Kelly, C. Curtis, E. Dillon, A. Matthews, C. Dardis. Subs: J. Gabriel Gomez for C. Dardis, E. Sheridan for E. Dillon, M. Goslin for J, Dowdall, A. Young, P. Cassidy, Z. Bourne, J, Kearney, J. Curtis

Management: Anthony Monaghan, Joey Matthews, Jack Reid, Michael Fedigan, Dary Hutchinson,Physio Paddy Mac

Referee: Andrew Smith (Dunshaughlin)

 

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