Thornton points Ashbourne school to dramatic victory
Conor Brennan
Captain Zach Thornton lofted over a last-gasp point to earn Colaiste de Lacy, Ashbourne a dramatic 3-12 to 3-11 victory over Kilbeggan in the Leinster Section 3 Shield Football final at Ashbourne on Wednesday.
The victory rounded off a fantastic year for the Meath school who claimed the shield as well as the Leinster Div 1 title they won in March.
Kilbeggan were the opponents for the shield final and they raced out of the blocks and into a seven-point lead after 15 minutes on Wednesday.
Things at that stage, looked ominous for de Lacy as they were playing with a strong breeze.
The introduction of Evan Kelly sparked some life into the Ashbounre men and the marauding runs of Ryan Ennis from wing back brought them up the pitch and put them on the front foot.
De Lacy pinned the vistors back a full court press on their kickouts. Brilliant scores from Ennis, captain Thornton and an excellent goal and point from man mountain Dylan White narrowed the gap .
At half-time de Lacy led by three but direct from the throw in they conceded a goal and it seemed like the Westmeath men were primed for victory .
Alex Purcell , Tommy White , Fionn Thormey , Rhys Thomas , Cathal Lenihan , Daniel O' Brien , Cian Hegney, Rhys Thomas , Shane Caffrey and top scorer Thornton, who were playing their last game for the school, had other ideas.
Purcell mopped up breaks with tremendous energy and drive while Fionn Tormey linked the play brilliantly. His midfield partner Conor O'Brien also ran himself into the ground . Alex Bell and Cian Dowling time after time carried ball out of defence and as De Lacy played an impressive counter attacking style that was marshalled by full back Conor McNally .
With the game in the melting pot , the irrepressible Evan Kelly popped up with two expertly taken goals to really give de Lacy hope and haul them level.
But cometh the hour cometh the man, Thornton who led from the front, wriggled free in a congested D to kick the winning score .