Na Fianna 2-10
Bective/Cannistown 1-10

Na Fianna CLG created their own bit of history last Sunday evening when they won their first major final at Pairc Tailteann when the club's minor football team captured the Jacksie Kiernan sponsored Division 5 title against Bective/Cannistown.

Na Fianna opened the scoring after 30 seconds when team captain Richie Massey pointed. Further points from Michael Farley, Michael Hughes (2) Lee Hyland and Massey had the South Meat team leading 0-6 to 0-1 after 15 minutes. An Anthony Neary converted penalty was quickly cancelled by three Bective points, all from Paul McCabe, before Joshua Devine got Na Fianna's second goal just before half time. Na Fianna went in at half time on a comfortable margin of 2-6 to 0-4.

The first 15 minutes of the second half were a disaster for Na Fianna when Bective, through a combination of dominance at centre field and sloppy fouling by the Na Fianna defence allowed the Navan parish side score 1 goal and 4 points - all the points coming from the boot of Paul McCabe and Pauric McConnell getting the goal. Na Fianna's half time lead of eight points was now down to one. However the Na Fianna lads regained their composure around the middle of the field and tenacious defending by Aaron Farrell and Darren Ryan coupled with improved performances from Richie Massey and Jamie McCormack saw Na Fianna tag on a further four points to Bective's two (McCabe and Mark Lupo) leaving a goal between the sides as they entered the final minutes.

Strong defending allowed the South Meath lads to hold on for an historic victory. Captain Richie Massey accepted the cup from Minor Board secretary Peter O'Halloran on behalf to the winning team.

Na Fianna - Sean Coyle; Dylan McDonagh; David Coffey; Darren Ryan; Aaron Farrell (0-1); Anthony Neary (1-0); Jamie McCormack (0-1); Philip Geraghty; Michael Farley (0-1); Richie Massey (0-3); Lee Hyland (0-1); Michael Hughes (0-3); Joshua Devine (1-0). Subs: Stephen Forde for Lee Hyland; Sean Ryan for Michael Hughes; Evan Mulally, Evan Henrick, Andrew Glynn.

Bective scorers: Paul McCabe 0-9, Pauric McConnell 1-0 and Alex Carpenter 0-1

Referee Conor Martin, Drumconrath. Tweet

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