O’Shaughnessy treble inspires Kilcleagh NS boys to victory

Kilcleagh NS 4-6 Dalystown NS 3-6

A late surge ensured victory for Kilcleagh National School over a brave Dalystown NS side in the Westmeath Cumann na mBunscol boys football Division 5 final at TEG Cusack Park on Wednesday of last week.

The victors were inspired by Tiernan O’Shaughnessy, son of 2004 Westmeath captain David, and his tally of 3-4 was truly outstanding.

It was all square at the break following a close first half and Dalystown looked good for a time when moving ahead, but it was the Castledaly boys who finished strongest with an impressive 2-3 in a blistering 10-minute spell. They were strong enough to hold on for victory, fending off a late comeback effort from Dalystown.

Matthew Maloney of Dalystown and Tiernan O’Shaughnessy of Kilcleagh traded early goals, while Stephen Clarke (Dalystown) and Nathan Marsh (Kilcleagh) swapped points for their sides as the teams were level at 1-1 each after six minutes.

Eoin Duffy then fired in a goal for Kilcleagh while O’Shaughnessy added a point from a free. Then Ryan Kelly of Dalystown and Eoin Duffy of Kilcleagh traded points.

Dalystown finished the first half strongly and a goal from Matthew Maloney and a point from a Ross Daly free left the sides level at 2-3 each at half time. Dalystown scored three points in the opening minutes of the second half as Daly, Kelly and Aidan Clarke all pointed, but during this period Dalystown also kicked some disappointing wides that proved costly.

An outstanding Tiernan O’Shaughnessy goal brought Kilcleagh back into the game leaving the sides deadlocked and he then took centre stage. A splendid goal added to his tally; a pointed free was followed by a brace from play as a six-point lead was established (4-6 to 2-6). This scoring burst proved decisive.

Late in the game Ross Daly of Dalystown saw his effort come back off the crossbar, before Stephen Clarke fired in a goal near the end. But the clock was against Dalystown as Kilcleagh NS held on for victory in a thrilling final.

There was joy unconfined afterwards as Kilcleagh NS captains Nathan Marsh and Harry Dolan accepted the Division 5 Cup.

Player of the match: Tiernan O’Shaughnessy (Kilcleagh NS). It was impressive performance from the free-scoring O’Shaughnessy who eclipsed talented teammate Michael Finan in defence.

Scorers - Kilcleagh NS: T O’Shaughnessy 3-4 (0-2 frees), E Duffy 1-1 (0-1f), N Marsh 0-1. Dalystown NS: M Maloney 2-0, S Clarke 1-1, R Kelly 0-2, R Daly 0-2 (1f), A Clarke 0-1.

Kilcleagh NS, Castledaly: Harry Dolan, Eoin Pratlett, Michael Finan, James Dullea, Nathan Marsh, Joe Hurley, Tiernan O’Shaughnessy, Eoin Duffy, Ronan Harrington, Tomás Mulchrone, Tyler Yorke, Leo Glynn, Harry Donlon, Darragh Nee, Aidan Marsh, Tom Kelly, James Griffin.

Dalystown NS: Aodhán Dunbar, Danny Newman, Aodán Berry, Mark Corrigan, Ryan Kelly, Jayden McKay-Neale, Aidan Clarke, Ross Daly, Stephen Clarke, Dillon Bray-Stynes, Eoghan McGivney, Matthew Maloney, Conor Kiernan, Jack O’Shea, Eanna Maloney, Ryan Hanrahan, Luke Walsh, Jamie Clear.

Referee: Michael McAdden.

*See this week's paper for more reports & photos on the Cumann na mBunscol finals.