Under-16s claim rare Reilly FT honours

MEATH CAVAN 2-14 1-13

MEATH bridged an 11-year gap by capturing the Gerry Reilly U-16 FT title at a packed Millbrook last Sunday evening.

This was the first time the tournament had Leinster status and provincial chairman Jim Bolger was present for the occasion along with Meath Co Board chairman Peter O’Halloran.

Apart from the opening minute when they trailed to a Daryl McGurren point, Meath had the edge, but they came under severe pressure in the closing stages as Cavan fought hard to close the deficit.

The exchanges were tight up until man-of-the-match Evan Corrigan claimed Meath’s first goal in the 27th minute and that boosted the Royals to a 1-7 to 0-4 interval advantage.

Fintan O’Reilly sent over a free inside 60 seconds of the restart and then finished smartly to the net and with only two points in it Cavan were very much in contention, but then Meath reeled off points from St Colmcille’s David Bell, Corrigan and Finnerty, followed by a vital second goal from Corrigan.

Cavan did finish strongly, but they were unable to make a serious impression on the scoreboard as points from Bell (two), Barry Thompson and Finnerty kept Meath ticking over.

Clare Reilly, mother of the late Gerry Reilly, presented the trophy to Meath captain Josh Carolan after the match.

MEATH: Dean Pluck (Ballinabrackey); Marc Donnelly (Ratoath), James McGovern (Drumbaragh),Harry Corscadden (Meath Hill); Harry Ryan (Ballinlough), Cillian Hegarty 0-1 (Donaghmore/Ash), Brian Cassidy (Kilmainhamwood); Josh Carolan (Simonstown), Endy Ehichoya (St Colmcille’s); Evan Corrigan 2-1 (Wolfe Tones), Pearse Sheridan (Oldcastle), Shane Smyth 0-1 (Skryne); Niall Finnerty 0-5 (Skryne), Barry Thompson 0-3 (Ballinabrackey), Aaron Chihchilla (Simonstown Gaels). Subs: David Bell 0-3 (St Colmcille’s) for Donnelly, Donnelly for Smyth, Smyth for Sheridan, Aitzol King (St Patrick’s) for Cassidy, Evan Quinn for Donnelly, Darren Connell (Oldcastle) for Ryan 59.

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