Walterstown 4-13  Rathkenny 1-3

Walterstown claimed the RS Awards Division 3 Shield title in a wet Rathkenny on Tuesday evening last. The Blacks prevailed by a 19 points against the home side and it was two goals in each half that put the icing on the cake for Andy McGuinness’ side. 

Even at the interval Walterstown were well on their way to victory when they led 2-11 to 0-2 and after the turnaround they simply picked up where they left off in the first half. 

It was Rathkenny that enjoyed the lion’s share of possession during the early stages, however they didn’t make it count on the scoreboard. Indeed the home side were guilty of some poor shooting for the 50 minute duration and paid a heavy price for it. 

Once Walterstown settled they certainly didn’t have the same problems in front of the posts. They opened their account when midfield maestro Neil McGinley split the posts with only 30 seconds on the clock. They doubled their advantage in the ninth minute when McGinley once again raised a white flag, this time from a free out right after Luc Doyle was fouled. 

It was Doyle, a member of the Meath U14 development squad, who pulled many of the strings for the young Walterstown side on the night. He was immense at centre back and is certainly one to keep an eye on for the future. At the midway point of the first half it was Doyle who combined with his fellow Meath U14 development squad team mate Neil McGinley, who kicked a superb score to leave Walterstown leading by six points and Rathkenny yet to open their account. 

The home side finally got up and running on the scoreboard when they split the posts after 18 minutes but there was no let up from the Johnstown based club either. Before the break they put their feet on the proverbial pedals, grabbed two goals and were well on their way to victory at the halfway mark. 

Walterstown’s first goal came after 22 minutes when Neil McGinley finished superbly to the net to give his side a 1-9 to 0-1 advantage. Soon after Luc Doyle added to their tally with a stunning point before the impressive Caoilinn Campbell-O'Brien blasted to the net to leave the score at 2-11 to 0-2 at the interval. 

Just as they did in the first, Walterstown were quick off the mark when McGinley fired over another point before Rathkenny grabbed their only goal of the game some six minutes in to the half. A super save by Walterstown ‘keeper Aaron Barry prevented Rathkenny from hitting the net a second time soon after and from there on in it was all Walterstown. 

Caoilinn Campbell-O'Brien, after collecting a pass from Robbie Davis, blasted to the net for his second and Walterstown’s third goal of the evening after 40 minutes and Conor Brady put the icing on the cake when he palmed to the net late in the day to leave the score at 4-13 to 1-3. 

Soon after referee Tom Lorton sounded the long whistle and Walterstown were later presented with the shield by Meath star Donal Keogan. 

Walterstown: Aaron Barry; Alex Barrett, Eoin Heffernan, Conor McEntee; Evan Mulligan, Luc Doyle, Oliver Maloney; Caoilinn Campbell-O'Brien, Neil McGinley; Ryan Brady, Robbie Davis, Sean McGuinness; Eanna Holland, Conor Brady, Neil McMahon. Subs: Fionnan O’Connor replaced S McGuinness; Cian Egan replaced N McMahon; Cormac McGuire replaced R Brady; Alex Carter replaced E Mulligan; Liam Carroll replaced Eanna Holland. 

Referee: Tom Lorton (Simonstown). 

 

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