Knightsbrook spot on in cup final shoot-out

Knightsbrook completed a notable double when they defeated Carrick Rovers on penalties in the Gerry Reilly Memorial Cup final at Duleek on Saturday. This victory was added to the Meath & District League Div 4 title which they secured a few weeks ago. After 110 minutes of scoreless football in Saturday"s showdown both teams had to go to the shoot-out and it was there that Knightsbrook prevailed to complete a memorable season. Despite the lack of goals, the final, which was played in sweltering heat, was of a very high standard and the quality of the play displayed by both sides would not have been out of place in the top tier of the MDL. Earlier in the season, Knightsbrook had a shock win over Carrick"s first team in the Tully Bookmakers Challenge Cup, but on this occasion they found their second team to be on a similar level as the Monaghan outfit had the better of the early exchanges. Experienced Carrick striker Brendan Kerley tested the Knightsbook custodian Stephen Murphy on a few occasions. At the other end Carrick"s Joey Farrell was also called upon to deal with long range efforts from Anthony Craig and Craig O"Hanlon. As the match wore on the well-organised defence lines for both teams began to dominate proceedings and the stalemate went into extra-time where Knightsbrook finished strongest. Knightsbrook could have wrapped up the match with four minutes remaining when Edward Murray"s pin-point 30-yard pass put Michael Tyndell through but his first touch allowed the Carrick goalkeeper to come off his line and take care of the danger. In the penalty shoot-out both teams had converted four penalties each when a Carrick player blasted his effort over the top, leaving Murray to successfully convert his effort and claim the cup for the Trim team. Carrick would have been disappointed in the manner in which they lost as their first team was also defeated in a penalty shoot-out in the Kilmessan Shield final against Duleek, but they can reflect on a successful campaign having won the O"Neill Shield. At the presentation it was announced that Knightsbrook were also awarded the O"Neill"s Sports 'team-of-the-month" award winners for April. Knightsbrook - Stephen Murphy; David Gibney, James Moynihan, Darren Blaney, Alan Kilbane, Anthony Craig, Craig O"Hanlon, James Curran, Edward Murray, Michael Tyndell, Cillian Ryan. Sub - Girvan Dempsey for Curran. DIVISION 2 Summerhill Celtic 2 Parkvilla 0 Parkvilla had little joy in this MDL Div 2 contest as they lost out to Summerhill. Both sides were trying to avoid the prospect of a play-off situation however, Parkvilla were unable to conjure up the goals they needed. John Power and David Dunne went close to finding the range for Parkvilla, but at the break Sumemrhill led 1-0. Patrick Connors was unlucky not to score for the Navan side when his low cross was deflected and the ball bobbled tantalisingly across the goal before it was cleared. Despite enjoying plenty of possession Parkvilla were unable to make the breakthrough and it was Summerhill who broke from defence to grab a second goal. Kia Beckham, Chris Hand, Cathal Kennedy and Rory Devlin were to the fore for the Navan side. Parkvilla - J Galvin; E Kennedy, C Kennedy, K Beckham, C O"Callaghan, P Connors, R Devlin, C Hand, G Brady, D Dunne, J Power. Subs - J Blake for Brady, D McGovern for Connors, S Wallace for O"Callaghan. NECSL Torro Utd 2 Albion Rovers 1 Torro finished off their NECSL u-17 league campaign on high note with a victory over Albion at the MDL on Thursday evening. Having already accounted for Albion in the cup decider, and having lost the shield final in a penalty shoot-out, this victory crowned a memorable season for the Kilberry side. Torro found themselves behind after 20 minutes, but were rewarded for a lot of pressure when Albion put through their own goal just before the break. The second-half was very tight and looked to be heading for extra-time, but a through ball to Andrew Tolan saw him shoot home with two minutes left on the clock and ensured that Torro completed an amazing double. Torro - C Blaney; C Hogan, R Foran, S Glynn, P McGrath, G Boyle, A Tolan, D Tolan, B Fasanya, T Hanlon, S O"Reilly, Sub - S Kelly for Fasanya, UNDER-14 Parkvilla 5 Raistin Rovers 2 Parkvilla eventually put their 'bogey" team to the sword with a demonstration of open, attacking football in this NEC u-14 Div 1 runners-up play-off. The Navan side could have added another five goals to their account with the amount of possession they enjoyed. Dylan Freeman put Parkvilla ahead, but Raistin hit back on the break twice to lead 2-1 at the interval. Parkvilla moved up a gear in the second-half and a fine individual goal from Dean O"Reilly added to two strikes from Daniele Gismondi and one from the impressive Israel Omorejor. Others to impress for the Parkvilla side included Conor Chaney, Dylan Regan and Dale O"Kane. Parkvilla - C Markey; C Chaney, D O"Kane, D Regan, S Corkery, D Freeman, D Hosie, I Omorejor, S Reilly, D Gismondi, O Pilane. Sub - D O"Reilly for Freeman. Kingscourt Harps 2 Parkvilla 2 Parkvilla kept themselves in contention for the runners-up spot in the NEC u-14 Div 1 with this draw with Kingscourt Harps who scored in the opening minute. It remained 1-0 at the break and Harps added a second early in the second-half however, Parkvilla"s enterprising play was rewarded with goals from Scott Reilly, who fired a spectacular shot to the net, and a delicate chip from Dale O"Kane. Daniele Gismondi, Dean Hosie, Obakeng Pilane and Conor Chaney stood out for Parkvilla. Parkvilla - C Markey; C Chaney, D O"Kane, I Omorejor, S Corkery, O Pilane, D Hosie, D Regan, S Reilly, D Gismondi, D Freeman. UNDER-13 Parkvilla 3 Kells/Blackwater 3 Kells / Blackwater earned the point they needed to secure their place in the NECSL Div 1 when they drew with Parkvilla, who were also looking for a victory. Cian O"Brien, Colin McGivern and Fionn Reilly netted for Kells / Blackwater. Best for the winners were Carl Jordan, James Reilly, Fionn Reilly and Paddy Dillon. Kells/Blackwater - A Brown; T Flanagan, C Cole, D Muldoon, J Reilly, D Phillips, C Jordan, P Dillon, C McGivern, C O"Brien, Sergi. Sub - F Reilly for Jordan. Trim Celtic 3 Kells/Blackwater 2 Cian O"Brien and Patrick Farrelly scored a goal apiece for Kells/Blackwater in this NEC u-13 Div 1 tie, but Trim Celtic clinched victory. Aaron Brown, Danile Muldoon, Paddy Dillion and Patrick Farrelly stood out for Kells/Blackwater. Kells/Blackwater - A Brown; T Flanagan, C Cole, J Reilly, D Muldoon, D Phillips, C Jordan, P Dillon, C McGivern, C O"Brien, P Farrelly. UNDER-12 Kells/Blackwater 1 Virginia 1 Kells/Blackwater 4-2 penalties This NEC u-12 Premier Shield final went all the way to extra-time with Kells / Blackwater out-scoring their opponents in the shoot-out at Kells to complete a cup and shield double. Virginia Bhoys led 1-0 at the break in normal time with Paddy Byrne going on to grab an equaliser. Conor Heary made a brilliant save to save one penalty in the shoot-out and Patrick Farrelly went on to score the winner. NECSL treasurer Margaret Sheridan presented the HSE u-12 Shield to Kells/Blackwater captain James Reilly. Best for the winner were Loui Shine, Carl Lynch, Tommy Mongey, James Reilly, Byrne, Anthony Doherty and Fionn Reilly. Kells/Blackwater - C Heary; L Shine, C Arkins, J Reilly, C Lynch, T Mongey, F Reilly, P Byrne, B Browne, P Farrely, C Jordan, Sub - A Doherty for Browne. UNDER-11 Borora 5 Carrick 2 After falling behind to an early goal Borora went on to win this NEC u-11 League clash. Robert Nevin slotted home a penalty after he was brought down by Ray Reilly who netted a second before a spectacular drive from Ronan Lynch made it 3-1 at the break. Further goals from Shane McCormack and Nevin sealed the issue. Borora - B Owens; C Drew, S Mccormack, M Dunne, P O"Connor, A Nevin, F Gallagher, R Nevin. R Lynch, R Reilly, A Reilly, E Donegan, N O"Connor, C Smith, C Clarke, J Vaughan, H Dunne.