Drumconrath/Meath Hill 0-11
Gaeil Colmcille 0-10
In a real Urban v Rural, Senior v Junior this U-15 Division 3 Final threw up an excellent game which remained in the balance right until the last kick of the hour.
It is not since the U14 Division 2 Championship success of 2005 that Drumconrath/Meath Hill have tasted success at such a high level and this was due to hard work and no little skill from a Parish that continues to punch above its weight being the only Parish in the County to see a reduction in population in the last two census's.
Gaelic Football is a big deal in Meath's most Parish and both Clubs will hope that these young lads though small in number will help to push these Traditional Junior Clubs to higher things.
The Red and Blue struck first with Cathal McEvoy earning a close in free that Dean Martin's trusty left foot ensured the 1st point of the game, the Kells lads where having none of it and took over in most sectors and pointed 4 times on the trot to lead 0-4 to 0-1 after 25 minutes.
Drumconrath/Meath Hill hung on during this time with some great defending from Daire Dunne, James Carolan and the excellent Sean Murray to ensure the team clad in White, Red and Green where kept within striking distance and when stylist Centre back Kieran Slavin lifted the siege with a fine point and this was added to as Paddy Matthews added another Drumconrath/Meath Hill got a great lift to raise their game.
With Patrick Halpin working hard on the "forty" Dean Martin added two more points from a free and a fine point from play in added time to give the Red and Blue a 1 point lead at the break (0-5 to 0-4) that looked at times during that half a very unlikely scenario.
The word is that the 3rd quarter is the Championship quarter and whatever was said to the Boys in Red and Blue saw them come out in fine form for the 2nd half as they continuously brought the game to the town lads in this quarter.
Thomas Duff opened the 2nd half account as Player of the Game wing back Sean Murray also got on the score board. Further points from Thomas Carolan and a free from Duff opened a 5 point lead.
Slavin, Matthews and the lively Jack McMahon where driving Drumconrath/Meath Hill forward at this stage with James Carolan, Cathal Marry and James McMahon all doing well the Kells lads where finding scores hard to come by as the Combination side led 0-9 to 0-4 but could have been further ahead.
Four Gaeil Colmcille points in a row left just a point between the sides with 10 minutes to go but Duff popped over a free to steady the Red and Blue. Thomas Carolan and Cathal McEvoy where proving a handful for the Kells backs. Carolan pointed late on to keep to leave it a three point game on 56 minutes 0-11 to 0-8.
Gaeil Colmcille were not for giving up and pointed twice to leave just a single point between these two fine sides and rattled the Drumconrath/Meath Hill cross bar as the Red and Blue nerves jingled big time.
Soon after that a low shot seemed to beat the Drumconrath/Meath Hill keeper Eoin Muldoon who had a fine game throughout but out of nowhere steady corner back Daire Dunne appeared to save the Day and make a goal line clearance as the Referee blew the Final whistle as Drumconrath/Meath Hill held out for a fine and just about deserved victory.
Captain Muldoon made a fine victory speech when presented with the Trophy by fellow Club man and County Board Vice Chairman Peter O'Halloran on what was a proud night for Drumconrath/Meath Hill Undeage Club.
Drumconrath/Meath Hill; Eoin Muldoon; Daire Dunne, James Carolan, Cathal Marry; James McMahon, Kieran Slavin (0-1), Sean Murray (0-1); Jack McMahon, Paddy Matthews (0-1); Thomas Duff (0-3), Patrick Halpin, Dean Martin (0-3); Cathal McEvoy, Oisin Kelly, Thomas Carolan (0-2). Subs; Conor Meegan for Kelly, Harry Corscadden for Martin and Ryan Carry.
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