Kevin Lynch's reach the Shield semi-final of the Derry Féile na Gael in Wexford

Derry Féile na Gael

Group 2 

Kevin Lynch’s 3-4

Clonkill 1-4

In their opening game of the tournament in Wexford the Dungiven side got the better of their Westmeath opponents by two majors from the stick of Aidan Kelly.

Kevin Lynch’s got off to the ideal start in Bunclody, when Aidan Kelly rattled the back of the net. The gap was extended as Aodhan McVey slotted over a dead ball. Scores were coming easier for the Derry side as McVey drove an outrageous sideline over the bar before Kelly added his second goal of the tie. All the opposition could muster was two white flags before half time.

Once the play resumed Kelly netted his hat trick before another free from dead ball specialist McVey. After a period of pressure the Westmeath men netted to narrow the gap. As the final whistle got closer McVey finished the scoring for his side with an effort from play.

The final two consolation scored came from their opponents before the game finished.

Group 2 

Kevin Lynch’s 3-7

Birr 4-6

In arguably one of the games of the competition Birr manged to get the better of the Derry side by the narrowest of margins.

After Birr flew into an early four point lead the game changed as Kevin Lynch’s battled back with a goal and four points unanswered.

The scoring started with white flags from Oisin Donaghy and Dara McKenna. It was dead ball specialist McVey that narrowed the gap with a third in a row from play.  The Dery men then took the lead when Dylan Irwin raised a green flag. The last score of the purple match was that man McVey again. With the halftime whistle around the corner Birr narrowed the gap before the final score of the half with a minor from midfielder Peader Kelly.

The second half began with a bang as Dylan Irwin found the back of the net. Afte this early goal Birr battled back into the with two goals and a point as the tie came back into the melting pot. With eight minutes to go scored were getting harder to come by until McVey found his range with another free. The Offaly side hit a purple patch in the last few minutes with a final goal and two points in between a scrambled goal by Lynch’s before a final McVey effort from play.

Shield Semi Final

Kevin Lynch’s 2-2

Trim 1-6

Only a point separated the two sides in this semi final as the Meath side managed  to come out on top.

From the outset of this semifinal anyone in attendance could see that scored would be very difficult to come by. The first of the game was from the Meath side before KL’s took the lead as Aidan Kelly found the back of the opposition net. As the halftime whistle got closer Trim added two more white flags in between a Kelly effort this time from play. This left the minimum between the sides at the break.

The Dery side got the ideal start to the second period with a second goal of the game from Kelly.

This was the end of the scoring as Trim battled back control with a goal and two points of their own. It looked like Trim were on the way to a win  but  McVey had other ideas as he levelled the tie with a long range free. It wasn’t to be for the Derry boys as Trim made sure of the victory with the final puck of the game.

Management Team: Manager Davy Harry, Coach: Anton O’ Hara, Kieran Farren, Kevin Loughart, Oliver Kelly, Cathal O’Kane, Prionnsias Brolly

Squad:Ryan Moore, Charlie O’Kane, Conal Gillan, Oran McCloskey, Conor O’ Neill, Ultan McCloskey

Anton Farren, Pearse Murphy (C), Peader Kelly, Dara McKenna, Oisin Donaghy, Aidan Kelly, Dylan Irwin, Aodhán McVey

Dára Lockhart, Séan Farran, Oisin O’ Neill, Ben Haran, Breandan Óg Kelly, Conor McCloskey, Shay Colgan, Aodhan McCloskey

James Óg O’ Kane, Aaron McGonigle, Ruairí Haran.