IHC B final: Maiden title for Boardsmill

Boardsmill's Fergal Flattery gets in his pass under pressure during the IHC B final at Athboy

Boardsmill 2-15 Wolfe Tones 1-15

Boardsmill claimed a maiden Intermediate B Championship with a three point victory over Wolfe Tones in Athboy.

A cagey few minutes for both teams saw Cillian Purcell pop up from wing back to opening the scoring with a well taken point. Both sides traded points throughout the half, but it was the 'Mill men that carved out goal scoring opportunities only to be denied by some outstanding goalkeeping from the Tones net minder. Points from Neil McLoughlin and a few frees from Luke Gallagher saw Boardsmill hold a three point lead at half time on a scoreline of 0-8 to 0-5. Neil McLoughlin also picked up a yellow card.

The second half opened with a Luke Gallagher pointed free within the first minute before the Tones responded. With tough physical battles all over the pitch, scores from play were at a minimum and placed balls became the main method of scoring. Gallagher had one of his finest days in a Boardsmill jersey as he hit frees from all angles, keeping his own personal tally creeping towards double figures for the game. A mishit shot saw the opportunistic Cathal Wall show his hurling ability with a well flicked goal to the Wolfe Tones net. He followed this up with a second goal a few minutes later by rounding the entire Tones full back line, before blasting an unstoppable shot to the top corner of the net to open up an eight point lead. To the Kilberry mens credit they stormed back into the game as a dropping ball found it's way to the 'Mill net.

With the game in the melting pot it was once again Gallagher who stepped up and scored a brace of points, one from a free and the other a beauty of a strike over the shoulder out by the sideline.
Following a scramble in front of the Boardsmill goalmouth it was Eamon Roche who came out with the ball and cleared it before referee Conal O' Sullivan blew the full-time whistle. Captain Ray Hatton was presented with the Championship trophy and the celebrations fully began.

Some teak tough defending, youthful exuberance in midfield and some wiley experience in the forwards saw the 'Mill claim the Intermediate B Championship.

Boardsmill team and scorers: Andrew Gallagher, Jack Bird, Jim Bird, Conor Darby, Cillian Purcell (0-1), Ray Hatton, Eamon Roche, Jim Roche, Darragh Purcell (0-1), Luke Gallagher (0-11), Neil McLoughlin (0-1), Liam O' Brien, Cathal Wall (2-1), Fergal Flattery, Stephen Gibbons.
Subs used: Donal Flattery, Diamond Whelan, Sean Cribbin, Cian Royston.
Subs: Mark Hatton, Niall Durkan, Tadhg Cotter, Cormac Byrne, Eric McKay, Jake Morgan.

Referee Conal O' Sullivan