Gerry’s Prepared Veg U13 Division 4 Shield Final

Killeevan 4-7 Eire Og 4-4

It took them a while to get going, but eventually Killeevan overpowered Eire Og in a tense and cagey U13 Division 4 Shield Final in Scotstown on Saturday morning last.

Played in dry conditions on a perfect sod, the Sarsfields’ greater physical height and power proved the difference in a match that saw top scorer Oisin Lynch finish with 1-5.

Eire Og made the brighter start, with points from Kieran Mullaney and Patrick Croarkin putting the Smithborough boys two in front inside the opening three minutes.

Kileevan soon levelled the tie in as many minutes, thanks to responses from Cathal McGrath and Oisin Lynch, two apiece.

Despite Croarkin nudging the Ogs back in front with a point from play, Ryan Murphy plundered the first goal for Killeevan on the quarter hour with a tidy finish.

However, Eire Og went straight down the field from their next kickout and duly returned the compliment with Croarkin palming to the net, 1-3 to 1-2 to Eire Og after 15 mins.

Amazingly, Killeevan had the ball in the net again a minute later, this time from Liam Kelly. Oisin Lynch took a long range free, it landed into the square where the big half back was on hand with a fisted volley to the net.

As if that wasn’t enough, Oisin Lynch then landed the Sarsfields’ third major, although rather fortuitously. A long range effort for a point by Lynch bounced over the head of Eire Og’s keeper Ben Rooney and straight into the net, 3-2 to 1-3.

Lynch then followed this up with a free, and Killeevan were 3-3 to 1-3 in front at the break.

The leaders rattled off three points in a row at the start of the second period to firmly take control of this contest, courtesy of Leo Duke and a brace from Oisin Lynch, including his second free of the day.

However, just when all seemed lost for Eire Og, Patrick Croarkin popped up with their second goal from close range, before Kieran Mullaney rattled in another a minute later, to leave it 3-6 Killeevan 3-3 Eire Og, 5 minutes into the second half.

Killeevan soon steadied the ship however with another Lynch point, before Shane Fitzgerald banged in their fourth goal, only a minute after he had come on as a substitute for Cathal McGrath.

Try as they might, Eire Og pulled the gap back to three thanks to a Kieran Mullaney white flag and Patrick Croarkin’s third goal of the day.

They were not able to force a draw at the death however, and Killeevan deservedly hung on to take the spoils.

KILLEEVAN: Nathan Smith, Conor Greenan, James Duignan, Josh Thompson, Harry Og McGuirk, Leo Duke 0-1, Liam Kelly 1-0, Oisin Lynch 1-5 (2f), Dane McAviney, Cathal McGrath 0-1, Ryan Murphy 1-0.

Subs: Shane Fitzgerald 1-0 for Cathal McGrath.

EIRE OG: Ben Rooney, Jack McBride, Jamie Beggan, Aodhan Boylan, Conan Rooney, Jamie Gavin, Noah McGinty, Dylan Rooney, Kieran Mullaney 1-2, Nathan McAree, Patrick Croarkin 3-2.

Subs: Phillip Neeson for Nathan McAree, Alex McBride for Dylan Rooney