MFC Div 1 final: Cilles claim Delany Cup in thriller
October 03, 2025
Eoin Dunne keeps possession for St. Colmcilles during the MFC Division 1 final against Dunboyne at Ashbourne
St. Colmcilles 0-18 Dunboyne 2-11 AET
St. Colmcilles claimed the Delany Cup for the first time since 2021 with this extra time win over Dunboyne at a very wet and windy Ashbourne.
A poor first half was no indication for the thrill and spills that were to follow for the remainder. Within five minutes of the throw in the rain came and didn’t let up till the end of normal time. The teams went to the dressing room level 0-3 each at the end of the first 30. Charlie Gallagher with Dunboyne’s tally while Dylan Feehan, Joe Smyth and Eoghan McBrearty raised white flags for the Cilles.
St. Peters got a great start to the second half. Gallagher’s attempt from a free was short but the ball skidded off the waterlogged square, deceived Cilles keeper Cathal Bentley and ended up in the net. Tom Feehan’s men rallied and points from Alex Brady, Smyth, Liam O’Donoghue and Eoin Dunne left two in it 1-5 to 0-6 at the end of the third quarter. Three unanswered points from the impressive Smyth had St. Colmcilles in front for the first time in the game. Two points separated the teams as injury time approached and it looked like the East Coast side would hold on but a sweeping Peters move ended with a goal from Joel Mangan and Dunboyne were in front. The eventual winners did not panic and with almost the last kick of normal time McBrearty sent over the equaliser to force extra time.
The rain disappeared and Dunboyne ended the opening ten minutes of extra time in front 2-11 to 0-14. Cormac Black led the St. Colmcilles fightback with the first score of the second half. McBrearty pointed a free to leave one in it and soon after the county minor captain sent over a two pointer to put his side one up. As Dunboyne came looking for the equaliser the St. Colmcilles defence stood tall and resisted numerous attacks. It did appear as though St Colmcilles breached the three up rule in the final moments but despite vociferous calls, play continued until the final whistle blew.
After the game Minor Board Chairperson Niall Gogarty presented the Delany Cup to Cillian Murphy.
St. Colmcilles: Cathal Bentley, Danny McCabe, Caolan Gartlan, Dominic Duffy, Cormac Black 0-2, Alex Brady 0-1, Dylan Feehan 0-2, Ben Mullen, Cillian Murphy, Milo Hall, Eoghan McBrearty 0-5, Liam O’Donoghue 0-1, Joe Smyth 0-5, Luke Gibbons, Calvin Haugh. Subs: Carl Cummins, Gearoid Reidy, Ciaran Brennan, Eoin Dunne 0-1, Sean Donnelly, Reuben Moore, Ciaran Grant, Matthew McCloskey 0-1, Nicholas Ehicoya, Jack O’Byrne,
Dunboyne: Sean Doyle, Callum Grey, Paul Magee, Shay Cooke, Owen Townsend, Noah Whitton, Andrew Norman, Eoghan McDonald 0-1, Charlie Gallagher 1-7, Rory Callanan, Alfie Lonergan, Tadgh Brennan, Ryan Monahan, Sean Delaney 0-2, Joel Mangan 1-1. Subs: Alex Donnelly, Josh Mahon, Lucas Kelly, Sean McNulty, Jack Lawlor, Cillian Lee, Jack Gallagher, Luke Kennedy, Tom Brandsman, Evan Murphy, Tom Hanaway, Shea Mooney, Charlie Mangan, Daichi McGovern
Referee: Joseph Curran
