Under 21 HC final: Dunboyne have that bit extra
December 03, 2016
Dunboyne's Killian Smith gains possession as Conor Kearney, Scott Shelly and Mark Healy close in during the Meath U21 Hurling Championship final at Pairc Tailteann
Superior scoring power saw Dunboyne claim the Uniflu Under 21 HC title with a thrilling narrow extra time win over Kildalkey at Pairc Tailteann on Saturday afternoon
Dunboyne ......... 2-15
Kildalkey ........... 0-19 after extra time
Skipper Sean Quigley set the tone for Dunboyne with 1-10. In addition the winning-captain led from the front as the team in yellow and black fended off strong opponents.
The outcome was hard on Kildalkey, who having dethroned Kiltale in the semi-final, finished runners-up at this level for the second year running.
Overcast and dry helped matters while the scores were tied five times over the hour, but not again after Quigley (free) posted the first score in extra-time.
Dunboyne remained in front to the end, but Kildalkey were capable of bridging the gap until Quigley (free) posted the last score of the game.
Dunboyne's Eoghan Ryan with Conor Kearney Kildalkey
In the individual scoring stakes, Quigley was eclipsed by Conor Kearney, who managed 0-16 (all bar one from frees). Near the end of extra time with just one point in it, he had one effort from his own 65 drop short at the hospital goal.
After a low-key first-half, the final gathered momentum. Dunboyne were never in arrears after Quigley tied it at 0-9 to 1-6 from a 42nd minute free.
Daragh Gilmartin's 47th minute goal left it 2-7 to 0-10 and Dunboyne remained in front to the end.
A close first-half yielded just nine scores but there was never more than a goal between the sides. Dunboyne took the lead through Jack Cox two minutes in.
A Conor Kearney free squared matters shortly after. It proved to be the first of two times in the first-half that the scores were tied.
James McNally beats Eoghan Ryan to the ball
Eight minutes in Kildalkey were denied a goal at the town end when Evan Fitzgerald's pull hit the post.
Seconds later Martin Healy earned the team in royal blue jerseys the lead with an effort that was initially given as wide.
Midway through the half, Conor Gilmartin made it 0-2-each.
The next score was the only goal of the first-half. It came from a Sean Quigley penalty that Kildalkey 'keeper Brin Kelly got a stick but couldn't keep out.
The award was given for a foul on Daragh Gilmartin by Sean Kirke, for which the corner-back picked up a yellow card.
Kildalkey outscored Dunboyne by 0-3 to 0-1 over the remainder of the half with a Sean Quigley free being the only score for the team in yellow and black in that time.
Dunboyne led by 1-3 to 0-1 at the break. Quigley (free) and Sean Hayes moved them a goal clear within two minutes of resumption.
Teams were tied twice in the third quarter during which time a Kearney point from play put Kildakey ahead, 0-9 to 1-5.
Kildalkey's Sean Kirke with Conor Gilmartin Dunboyne
Scores were tied three times (five in all to this point) in the second-half before Dunboyne struck their second goal. Sean McGrath's long delivery wasn't collected by Kildalkey 'keeper Brin Kelly. Daragh Gilmartin was on hand to fire home the second goal for the team in yellow and black.
Dunboyne were a goal clear with 55 minutes gone when Quigley turned provider for Jack Cox to score. Gradualy, Kildalkey eroded the deficit with two stoppage time points from Kearney completing the comeback.
Dunboyne were able to stem that momentum, outscoring Kildalkey by 0-5 to 0-3 in the additional 20 minutes and claim the Carrigy Cup.
Dunboyne - Liam Kane; Cian O'Dwyer, Sean Hayes (0-1), Conor Rohan; John Finlay, Sean McGrath, Eoghan Ryan; Jack Delaney, Killian Smith; Jamie Gilmartin, Sean Quigley (C) (1-9, 1-0 pen, 0-7 fs, 0-1 65), Conor Geoghegan; Conor Gilmartin (0-1), Jack Cox (0-3), Daragh Gilmartin (1-1). Subs - Michael Farrell for Geoghegan (20), Mark Delaney for Hayes (58). For extra-time - Gavin O'Keeffe for O'Dwyer. Extra-time - Sean Hayes for J Gilmartin (80)
Kildalkey - Brin Kelly; Sean Kirke, Luke Rickard, Tiernan Bird; Martin O'Leary, Mark Healy, Scott Shelly; Brendan McKeon, Steven Murray; James McNally (0-1), Kevin McKeon, Ben Rickard; Martin Healy (0-2), Evan Fitzgerald, Conor Kearney (0-16,15 fs). Subs - Aaron Byas for Murray (43), Brian Conneely for B Rickard (59).
