Kilruane MacDonaghs claim another county title with junior B final win over Boherlahan

FBD Insurance Junior B Football Championship Final

Kilruane MacDonaghs 1-11

Boherlahan Dualla 0-10

Boherlahan’s attempt to capture the FBD Insurance County Junior B Football championship came up just short when they lost to history chasing Kilruane MacDonaghs at Templederry last Saturday afternoon.

Played in ideal weather conditions, for December, the Mid side produced a tremendous battle especially in the second half but could not break down a very fit Kilruane side who benefited from a Carl Williams goal and a Cian Darcy point just before half time. From there, Boherlahan were chasing that four point salvo but were unable to break through due to the solid work of Kilruane.

The game commenced with Boherlahan going a point in arrears after thirty four seconds when Cian Darcy put Kilruane in front. With both sides producing the usual end to end fair of stringing the passes together it was the sixth minute before Seamus Leahy levelled and the same player gave the Mid side the lead three minutes later.

Much of Boherlahan’s best play stemmed from the strong work rate of John Ryan and Brian Carrig at half back plus that of Cathal Darcy, Niall O’Dwyer and Colm O’Dwyer on the forty but Kilruane had the rock solid Niall O’Meara to keep the score rate low and after cutting off another Boherlahan attack the ball moved through at least four pairs of hands before Cian Darcy levelled in the 12th minute

Rob Austin did a fine job too and his last minute dispossession of a Boherlahan forward had defence turned into attack before a Carl Williams free edged Kilruane in front on the quarter hour mark. Boherlahan were quick to respond with an Eoin McLoughney equaliser but the same player was guilty of kicking Boherlahan’s fourth wide to date. Kilruane had just one to their credit at that stage.

As expected, Kilruane would have their purple patch and Mathew Spain rose to the challenge with two quick points from close in with both scores almost yielding goals as the Boherlahan defence had problems keeping an eye on the fleet footed corner forward. His opposite number Eoin McLoughney was equally impressive as he posted his second point in the 23rd minute.

Matthew Spain hit back with a point but another McLoughney point left his side one behind with four minutes to half time.
The Kilruane kickout reached Delvin Courtney whose fifty metre low ball reached Carl Williams outside the large square.

Williams lost possession but in an instant, he let fly and beat Boherlahan keeper Darragh Lacey at the near post. Kilruane suddenly had pomp and another move led to Cian Darcy scoring to leave them 1-7 to 0-5 in front at half time.

The half time break appeared to work well for Boherlahan who had three unanswered points on the board inside six minutes with Seamus Leahy, Tom Ryan and Eoin McLoughney (free) on target as the Boherlahan front three were causing the Kilruane full backline plenty to think about.

But Kilruane had Jerome Cahill to call on. He came on as a substitute at half time but his team continued to soak up the play with Matt Downey’s effort for a goal blocked down by Niall O’Meara. Once Kilruane returned to the opposition homeland it was a well taken score by Cian Darcy in the 45th minute closely followed by a Seamus Hennessey score three minutes later meant Kilruane were four in front- significant lead at the time.

Just as well, their defence continued to come under more pressure but goalkeeper Shinnors was alert in making two great saves, the second from Tomas Ryan who scored a minute later in the 53rd minute.

While Boherlahan continued to pressurise the hard working Kilruane defence especially Niall O’Meara was immense as Aaron Morgan, James Cleary, Rob Austin and Eoin Hogan played their part and as a result, the North champions used the breakaway method to find another score with Jerome Cahill and Seamus Hennessey combining for O’Meara to step up and score a point. Hennessey added another in the 56th minute which had Kilruane five in front for the first time.

With full time approaching Boherlahan pressed again and Eoin McLoughney’s close in free kept them close but Kilruane were in command and might have increased their lead to five but Mathew Spain’s free came back off the upright before full time was called.

Scorers: Kilruane MacDonaghs: C Williams 1-1 (0-1f); C Darcy 0-4; M Spain 0-3; S Hennessey 0-2; N O’Meara 0-1.

Boherlahan Dualla: E McLoughney 0-5 (0-2’f); S Leahy 0-3; T Ryan 0-2.

Kilruane MacDonaghs: Kevin Shinnors: Rob Austin, Eoin Hogan, Oisin O’Meara; Kevin Oakley, Niall O’Meara, Aaron Morgan; Kian O’Kelly, Sean McAdams; Matthew Moyles, Carl Williams, Delvin Courtney; Matthew Spain, Seamus Hennessey, Cian Darcy.

Subs: Jerome Cahill for Moyles (HT), James Cleary for Courtney (HT), Conor Austin for Oakley (HT); Ross Austin for Oisin O’Meara (36); Nathan Lynch for Kelly (48).

Boherlahan Dualla: Darragh Lacey; Ned Ryan, Tomas Bourke, Laurance Devane; Euan Ryan, Brian Carrig, John Ryan; Cathal Darcy, Niall O’Dwyer; James Murphy, Colm O’Dwyer, Mark Downey; Eoin McLoughney, Seamus Leahy, Tomas Ryan.

Subs: James Kirby for Murphy (HT); Cian MacBearthagra for C O’Dwyer (39); Padraig Ryan for Downey (48); Niall Manton for Leahy (55); Brendan O’Connor for T Ryan (58).

Referee: Padraig Skeffington (Cashel KC)