Navan O’Mahony’s 0-05 Kildalkey 2-07

All roads led to Kiltale on Saturday morning for the 2024 Meath Minor A Hurling championship final between these two teams that knew each other inside out. Kildalkey ans O'Mahony's have met on numerous occasions since an Under 12 final in 2019 with never much between them. PHOTOS

O'Mahonys went in as strong favourites for this final though having beaten Kildalkey in Round 1 by 1-17 to 1-9 and topped the group.

After that loss Kildalkey had to regroup and a draw against league champions Dunboyne in round 2 kept the dream alive and set up a must win game against Trim which they won by 1 point. Further wins against Rathmolyon/Boardsmill and Ratoath meant they got their chance to play in a county A final a first appearance since the early 2000's which incidentally they lost to O'Mahonys .

The club did win a minor A in the mid nineties when they were amalgamated with Boardsmill but haven’t won on their own since 1948 so this was a massive opportunity for them to create their own piece of history.

The game was low scoring but what it lacked in scores it more than made up for in drama and effort as both sides went at it from the start. 

Conor Barnwell from a free got the village up and running but the town side settled and hit the next 2 including 1 from Dean Walsh and a free from Seb Snow.

Edward Dunne replied after some great work by Eoghan Monaghan but O'Mahonys hit the next 3 frees to take the lead 0-5 to 0-2 after 16 minutes with points from Snow and Eoghan McDermott.

That was to be their last score as the Kildalkey boys hunted in packs hooking blocking and harrying for their lives and held the Navan men scoreless for the remainder of the game. Barnwell got a point from play and then got on the end of a James Potterton cross for a vital goal. He hit the next free to leave the score Kildalkey 1-4 O Mahonys 0-5 at the half time whistle.

Barnwell hit a huge free over for the Village to stretch their lead and soon after the clouds gathered and the heavens opened for a torrential spill that left hurling hard for both teams as they battled the elements. 

In a game where backs were on top and scores were seriously hard to come by these conditions didn’t help but Barnwell struck a 65 over the bar for a 1-6 to 0-5 lead. O'Mahonys laid siege on the Kildalkey goals but the hungry Kildalkey backs stood firm and cut out numerous attacks and made turnovers through sheer hard work and will to win.

Barnwell got another point from another free and with a few minutes left on the clock after been held for most of the match captain James Cully popped up as he has done so often over the years for a goal to seal the win for the Village men.

A few minutes later referee Martin Dawson blew for full time and Kildalkey were champions to the delight of their huge support in what was a brilliant team performance as every player played their part in the win.

Fintan Porter made the presentation to the Kildalkey captain James Cully after the game for only the third time in the club’s history.

What a day to remember for everyone involved.

Kildalkey team and scorers: C Monaghan, R Diggins, C Diggins, L Kenny, D Quinn, P Casey, M Carr, B Birmingham, E Dunne (0-1), C Prior, C Barnwell (1-6)(5f), E Monaghan, D Kealey, J Cully (1-0), J Potterton 

Subs: A Potterton for J Potterton, D Heavern, D Corrigan, C McMahon, R Mc Carthy, D Keogh

 

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