Kells side recover to win exciting cup final

Kells / Blackwater enjoyed a fine victory in the North East Counties u-12 Cup final when they proved too strong for Parkvilla at the MDL, Navan last Thursday night and recovered form the concession of an early goal. Managed by Wes Jordan and Patrick Matthews, Kells / Blackwater were worthy winners against a hard-working Parkvilla side which produced a spirited performance. Parkvilla were ahead in the opening half when Ciaran Fitzsimons finished to the net and the Navan boys held the advantage until Patrick Farrelly levelled close to half-time. After the resumption Kells / Blackwater maintained the pressure and James Reilly made an opening for Carl Jordan to finish from about 20 metres. Once ahead the winners took control of the game although they had to survive a short period of Parkvilla pressure during which goalkeeper Conor Heary made two fine saves. Farrelly added his side"s third goal in the closing stages and Fionn Reilly completed the tally near the end. Best for a gallant Parkvilla side were Shane Lambe, Jerome McLoughlin, Ben Hoey and Graham Nelson while Louis Shine, Tommy Mongey, Carl Lynch, James Reilly, Jordan and Farrelly impressed for Kells / Blackwater. NEC chairman Peter McManus presented the cup to Kells / Blackwater captain Reilly. Kells / Blackwater - C Heary; L Shine, C Arkins, J Reilly, C Lynch, T Mongey, F Reilly, P Byrne, B Browne, P Farrelly, C Jordan. Subs - P Quinlan for Heary, A Doherty for Browne, D Smith for Shine. Parkvilla - C Honan; N Moyles, S Lambe, B Hoey, D Griffiths, E Lee, S Williamson, J McLoughlin, C Fitzsimons, D Byrne, P Leahy. Subs - F Donnelly for Byrne, E Kelly for Fitzsimons. UNDER-14 Parkvilla 0 Ballyjamesduff 0 Ballyjamesduff 4-2 pens Parkvilla were out of luck in the NECSL u-14 cup final when they were edged out by Cavan side Ballyjamesduff following extra-time and a penalty shoot-out. This was Parkvilla"s fourth cup final defeat and their third in a penalty shoot-out. Both sides had spells of dominance in what were very testing conditions. Daniele Gismondi was a constant threat while Dean O"Reilly and Obakeng Pilane were masters in their man-marking roles against the league champions.. Dylan Freeman was also in fine form and goalkeeper Jamie Slevin produced three excellent saves to keep the game scoreless. Conor Chaney, Freeman, Gismondi and Pilane were best in what was an encouraging team display, despite the disappointment of another defeat. Parkvilla - J Slevin; C Chaney, D Regan, D O"Kane, O Pilane, D Freeman, D Hosie, D O"Reilly, S Reilly, D Gismondi, I Omorejor. Subs - C Markey for Reilly, S Corkery for Omorejor. UNDER-15 Kenstown Rovers 2 Kells / Blackwater 0 Kentstown Rovers posed too many questions for Kells / Blackwater in the u-15 cup final as they hiot the target twice after the resumption for a merited victory. Keith Scanlon went close for Kells / Blackwater and received great support from Ryan Farnham, Paddy Murray and Gary McDermott. Kells / Blackwater - C Murray; S Obembe, P Murray, W Feehan, E Keegan, G McDermott, S Needle, K Scanlon, C Mooney, S Mattimoe, R Farnham. Subs - D Murphy for Mooney, A Hayes for Keegan. Raistin Rovers 0 Parkvilla 1 Parkvilla captured the NECSL u-15 Major Shield with a narrow victory over Raistin Rovers. They had struggled in the league, but on Saturday they put all that behind them to record a magnificent victory in difficult conditions. The Navan boys had the aid of the strong wind in the first-half and dominated from start to finish although Aaron Murphy had a 'goal" ruled out for offside, but soon after finished a sweeping move by firing to the net from distance. On the stroke of half-time Shane Lynch was unlucky when his fine effort came back off the crossbar. Rovers pushed on in the second-half aided by the elements, but came up against a defence that was unyielding. Any time Raistin threatened they were forced back by a Gary Power-inspired rearguard. Aaron Fitzsimons, Michael James and Shane Kelly were others to shine. Parkvilla - J Walsh; A Fitzsimons, J Nestor, M James, G Power, J Forde, S Kelly, S Lynch, P Moyles, A Murphy, G Connolly. Subs - A Bakare for Moyles. M Hornby, W Cahill, C Clarke. UNDER-16 Kells/Blackwater 2 Carrick Rovers 0 Goals from Greg Kerrigan and Danny McGovern gave Kells / Blackwater the verdict against Carrick Rovers in the NEC u-16 cup final at Monasterboice on Sunday. NEC registrar Kieran McMahon presented the cup to Kells / Blackwater captain Conor Gilsenan. Under the guidance of Greg Smith, the team have now completed the league and cup double and remain on course for the treble in the shield. Kells / Blackwater - C Gilsenan; S Morgan, J McManus, E Beggy, DJ Carry, D McGovern, T Smith, W Feehan, B Frarelly, G Kerrigan, D Finnery. Sub - F. Ferguson for Feehan. UNDER-17 Torro Utd 3 Albion Rovers 1 Torro Utd picked up their first piece of silverware of the season when they defeated Albion at Kells on Thursday evening in the NECSL u-17 Shield final despite trailing at the break. Torro piled on the pressure after the restart and were rewarded when Stephen O"Reilly levelled and midway through the half Darren Tolan hit a thunderous shot from the edge of the box. Ten minutes from time a well worked move down the right produced a Gavin Boyle cross for Andrew Tolan to slot home. Torro Utd - R Hoey; C Hogan, R Foran, S Glynn, P McGrath, G Boyle, D Tolan, A Tolan, B Fasanya, T Hanlon, S O"Reilly.