Louth 1-20 Meath 1-16 (after extra-time)

Meath’s U-16s went toe-to-toe with a highly fancied Louth side in Millbrook, Oldcastle on Sunday evening and were a whisker away from lifting the Gerry Reilly Cup, only to be pipped in extra-time after a gripping contest that swung right to the end. PHOTOS

On a perfect evening for football, the young Royals led at the break and were two points to the good heading into added time, but Louth’s late rally forced the extra twenty minutes, where a crucial two‑pointer proved the difference. 

Louth started brightly and twice threatened the net in the opening quarter, rattling the crossbar before Cormac Fitzsimons pulled off a fine save to keep Meath level. John Killoran’s turnover sparked Meath’s big first-half moment, Tomas Dillon finishing smartly on 27 minutes to push Meath in front, and they took a 1-4 to 0-5 lead into the interval.

The Wee County hit the first four points after the restart to edge ahead by the 43rd minute, but Meath answered. Substitute Killian McGivern settled the Royals with a point before Conn Brennan’s deft two‑pointer on 45 minutes swung momentum back our way. Cormac Walsh, a constant threat, tacked on another as Meath drove on.

Louth struck back with a Cillian Duff goal to level it at 1-9 apiece, and while Harris Moffat and Cormac McKenna nudged Meath two clear heading into added time, late efforts from Conor Marron and Connell Kelly dragged Louth level at the whistle to force extra-time.

That extra period was knife‑edge stuff. Kelly’s two‑pointer late in the first half of extra-time opened a three‑point gap, with Louth 1-17 to 1-15 ahead at the turn. Meath chased it to the finish, Walsh clipping the only Meath score of the second period as Louth added three more to stretch clear. Deep in the dying moments Meath had a lifeline, but Daithi Holmes guessed right to save Dillon’s penalty, and with it went Meath’s last chance of a famous comeback.

There was plenty to admire in the game: Walsh’s scoreboard leadership, Dillon’s first‑half goal, Brennan’s key two‑pointer, energetic cameos from the bench, and a defensive shift that stood up to long spells of pressure.

Credit to Louth, worthy winners after a fine final, and for both teams the performance and experience will stand to them.

Padraig McCormack of @dromoneengineeringltd (Sponsors) presented the Man of the match award to Louths’ Finn McEneaney.

Members of the Reilly family presented the Gerry Reilly Cup to Louth captain, Josh Gahaya  

Louth: Daithi Holmes (St Patrick’s); Finn McEneaney 0-1 (St Joseph’s), Ollie Walsh (Naomh Mairtin) Calvin Winters (Naomh Mairtin); Jack Ruane (St Kevin’s), Brian O’Neill 0-2 (St Fechin’s), Mathew Kieran (St Joseph’s); Mark Smith (Oliver Plunkett’s), Pauric Maguire 0-2 (John Mitchell’s); Donnacha Reidy (St Joseph’s), Cillian Downey (St Nicholas), Cillian Duff 1-0 (St Fechin’s); Joe Lynch (Geraldines), Connell Kelly 0-11 (Dreadnots), Conor Marron 0-1 (St Mochta’s).

Subs: Dylan Kirwan 0-2 (Dreadnots), Tadhg Moroney 0-1 (Naomh Mairtin), Josh Gahaya (Wolfe Tones).

Meath: Cormac Fitzsimons 0-1 (O’Mahonys); Tomas Clarke (Dunshaughlin), Niall Rogan (St Michael’s), Liam O’Donoghue (St Colmcille’s); Niall Smyth (Skryne), John Killoran (Na Fianna), Conor McTigue (Dunshaughlin); Cormac McKenna 0-1 (Wolfe Tones), Alex Keane (Dunshaughlin); Conn Brennan 0-2 (St Ultan’s Cortown Gaels), Darragh Wright (Clann na nGael), Thomas McKeever (Wolfe Tones); Cormac Walsh 0-7 (Trim), Tomas Dillon 1-1 (Syddan), Mark Halpin (Oldcastle).

 Subs: Harris Moffat 0-2 (Skryne), Killian McGivern 0-1 (Kilbride), Tomas Proudfoot (St Ultan’s Cortown Gaels), Milo Stafford 0-1 (Kilmainhamwood), Caolan Comey (Summerhill), Leo Kavanagh (Moynalty), Ryan O’Neill (Simonstown), William Gifford (St Patrick’s).

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