Cosmos claim Kilmessan Shield

Less than 11 months after they lost the Kilmessan Shield final to the same opposition, Navan Cosmos bounced back with the perfect response to captured the 31-year-old trophy with a merited 3-1 victory over Newfoundwell at the MDL tonight.

Last May Navan Cosmos lost the final in what was their last game of the season when Newfoundwell won by 4-3 after extra-time. That reversal completed a hat-trick of disappointment for the Cosmos and for manager Derek Coogan.

Now, tonight's victory has provided the Navan side with their first trophy of a potential hat-trick with a Challenge Cup semi-final next week and four games remaining in the race for the Premier title.

Cosmos were 2-0 ahead at the interval with goals from Conor Walsh and Conor McManus, but Newfoundwell pulled one back through Ian Devine five minutes into the second-half.

Cosmos settled into the game after that and took control with a fine goal from Ciaran Rogers in the 73rd minute helping to secure the victory.

Navan Cosmos - Conor Gilsenan; Colin Lynch, Robbie Dillon, Andrew Rogers, Shaun Doyle, Alan Murphy, Donal Callan, Conor McManus, Ciaran Rogers, Conor Walsh, Cillien Corcoran. Subs - Eoin Feeley, Rian Wogan, Jason mcDonagh, James Boland, Mark mcCabe, darragh McNamara.

Newfoundwell - K Martin; D McDonagh, C Reid, S Murphy, K Bull, D Carolan, D Harding, P Crowley, C Carroll, I Devine, T Reilly. Subs - G Smith for McDonagh 55 mins, B Kermode for Harding 70m, S Brady for Crowley 77m

Referee - Charlie Pierce (Louth).