A late goal by substitute Conor Walsh boosted Kilmainham to a narrow win over Castletown in a thrilling Gabriel O'Brien Crane Hire Under 21 FC B decider at Meath Hill on Saturday afternoon. Kilmainham 1-13 Castletown 1-10 Walsh struck in the 59th minute when flicking a Michael Newman free to the net after Castletown's neat approach play gave them the upper hand for most of the hour. Kilmainham - who won the Under 21 C title last year with most of this winning side - struck for 1-2 without reply in the final ten minutes to claim the Stiofain O Mealoid Cup with Shane Butler pointing twice from play. Moments before Walsh goaled, Castletown midfielder Shane Farrelly fired wide from close range. Had he netted the team in green and gold would have been four points to the good. Matthew Carroll's early goal got Castletown off to flying start and they led by four points on three occasions in the opening half. Three Gavin Butler points from play kept the team in red and black in the hunt and three Michael Newman points on the bounce in the latter stages of the opening half left Kilmainham ahead by the narrowest margin at the break, 0-9 to 1-5. A long range Shane Farrelly free levelled matters within five minutes of the restart before points in quick succession from Thomas Smith and Robert Cribben restored Castletown's advantage. Playing against a slight breeze at this well-appointed venue, they were unable to put the game beyond the reach of Kilmainham who were back on level terms again when Michael Newman pointed from play in the 41st minute. The scores were tied on four times over the the course of the hour with the eventual winners forcing parity in there instances. Pointed frees from Robert Cribben and Shane Farrelly restored Castletown's advantage heading into the final ten minutes as four wides in the latter stages left them open to the late sucker punch. Kilmainham - P. Hennigan; R. Mooney, D. Morgan; P. Mooney, G. Morgan, D. Sullivan; D. Newman, G. Butler (0-3); S. Butler (0-2), S. Mahon, S. Brosnan; P. Smith, M. Newman (0-7, 0-5 frees). Sub - C. Walsh (1-1) for Smith (34 mins). Castletown - R. Hoey; N. Smyth, D. Metry; N. Metry, G. Farrelly (0-1), E. Horgan; R. Cribben (0-4, 1 free), S. Farrelly (0-2, frees); D. Cribben, T. Smith (0-1), S. Dunne; M. Carroll (1-1), J. Ginnity (0-1). Sub - C. Weldon for D. Cribben (40 mins). Referee - S. McCormack (Walterstown). Tweet

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