Kentstown best in title play-off

Kentstown Rovers completed a good weekend when they secured the Meath & District League Div 2 title with a narrow victory over Kells / Blackwater at the MDL on Sunday. The play-off was required after Kentstown failed to win their final league game last week against Drogheda side Black Bull (2-2) in which they stayed in the hunt by salvaging a draw. That result meant that Kells / Blackwater had to beat Park Celtic Summerhill last Thursday night to force a play-off for the title. The Kells side did that when they won by 3-0 with a brace of Danny McGovern goals and one from Jonathan Quigley, but on Sunday they fired blanks as a large crowd witnessed the action unfold on a bumpy pitch. The all-important goal, which ultimately clinched the title, arrived in the 30th minute when Kentstown's hard-working centre-forward, David Doyle drilled a free to the net from outside the penalty area. Prior to that, both sides created chances with Craig Mooney's shot for Kells / Blackwater saved by Keith Shields and Matthew Garry going close for Kentstown. There was plenty of action to keep Cavan / Monaghan referee Michael Gallagher on his toes and he issied a number of yellow cards and delivered lectures to both sets of sideline officials. The referee and his team of assistants were deputising for the Meath Branch referees who were unavailable to officiate, However, about five Meath Branch referees watched on from the sidelines, as they seek to have some dispute with the MDL settled. As the action unfolded in the oepning half, Sam Obembe headed over for Kells while at the other end Derek Bowens unleashed a good shot following a mazy run on the stoke of half-time. The pace slackened somewhat after the break, due mainly to the sweltering heat. The Kells side were left with a more difficult task when Warren Feehan was red-carded with 25 minutes remaining. Kentstown were comfortable afteer that and had chances from Doyle and Bowens before the end. However, the miss-of-the-match arrived in the 33rd minute when Kentstown substitute David Bowens created a gilt-edged opening for David Bowens who fired wide of the target when it looked easier to score. MDL secretary Gerry Gorman presented the Div 2 trophy to Sean Doyle and congratulated the club on their well-organised 30th anniversary celebrations last Friday night at Walterstown GAA club which were attended by FAI chief executive John Delaney. Kentstown Rovers - K Shields; D Ratcliffe, S Gargan, S Doyle, G Toal, P Dunne, A Lynch, P McDonnell, D Doyle, Derke Bowens, M Garry. Sub - David Bowens for Garry. Kells / Blackwater - C Gilsenan; W Feehan, L Quail, E Beggy, D O'Rourke, W Russell, P Reilly, C Mooney, D McGovern, S Obembe, C Walsh. Subs - B Farrelly for Reilly, JD Smith for Obembe, M Doherty for O'Rourke.