Primary Schools Finals: Flanagan inspires Ratoath SNS to thrilling victory
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Ratoath SNS’s Conor Fitzgerald breaks the challenge of Kilmessan’s Eoin Horan and Dinny Reilly during the Div 1 Hurling final. Photo: Gerry Shanahan-www.cyberimages.net Gerry ShanahanImage 2 of 5
The Ratoath SNS player (from left) were: back - Barra McGowan, Joshua Potter, Max Peake, Ollie Coulter, Jamie Kelly, Connor Doyle (Capt), Cian Flanagan, Tiarnan O’Connor, Pearse Colwell, Ríoch Nolan, JJ Killian, Fionn O’Meara, George Ellison; front - Noah Martin, Cian Comerford, Lorcan Whelan, Michael Gallagher, Bruno Starzy, Connor Fitzgerald, Joe Jordan, Senan Brad, Ruairí Grogan, Michael Ryan. Gerry ShanahanImage 3 of 5
The Kilmessan NS players (from left) were: back - Eoin Horan, Stephen Kelly, Liam O’Brien, Dinny Reilly, Shaun O’Dowd, Jack Sweeney, Michael Gallagher, Patryk Zwierzynski, Charlie Chomiskey, Evan Mooney, Aidan Gannon, Thomas Gallagher, Liam Brooks; front - Freddie Lynch, Shay Quinlan, Seán Horan, Tommy Clynch, David Keena, Callum Keena, Seán Lynch, Bobby Keogh, Fionn Maguire, Luke Staunton. Gerry ShanahanImage 4 of 5
Cumann na mBunscol’s Gerry Conroy and Meath Chronicle’s Fergal Lynch presented the Div 1 Hurling Spirit of the Final award to Ratoath SNS’s Cian Flanagan. Gerry ShanahanImage 5 of 5
Ratoath SNS captains Connor Doyle and Cian Flanagan received the Div 1 Hurling cup from Cumann na mBunscol’s Gerry Conroy. Gerry ShanahanDIV 1 FINAL
Ratoath 0-8
Kilmessan 1-4
Fergal Lynch
Scores were scarce, but there was no shortage of excitement as Ratoath SNS made amends for last year's heartbreak by claiming the Div 1 Hurling title with a thrilling victory over Kilmessan at Trim on Saturday.
Ratoath lost last year's decider to St Michael's, Trim after extra-time and this contest looked destined for an additional period when Kilmessan came storming back late on, but Ratoath held on and were not to be denied with Cian Flanagan leading the charge.
Flanagan's return of six points were crucial and helped ensure Kilmessan's stubborn defence, which was superbly marshalled by Liam O'Brien, was broken down.
It took almost 10 minutes for the games opening score and when it did arrive from a Connor Doyle free it was quickly followed by a second from the stick of Cian Flanagan.
Two outstanding frees from Michael Gallaghan drew Kilmessan level by the 17th minute, but Ratoath finished the half strong with Cian Flanagan scoring his sides first from play following a mesmerising run and then the same player added another from a free to make it 0-4 to 0-2 at the break.
Michael Gallagher closed the deficit to one with a sensational free a minute after the restart, but two more Cian Flanagan frees stretched Ratoath's lead to 0-6 to 0-3.
However, Kilmessan refused to bow and with seven minutes remaining Tommy Clynch, son of interim Meath hurling manager Steven, scrambled the ball to the net to restore parity.
Cian Flanagan settled Ratoath with a point from a 40-metre free and then Joshua Potter left Kilmessan needing a goal to salvage victory.
That goal didn't come with Dinny Reilly's attempt to drop a '52' into the square dropping over the crossbar and it was Ratoath who celebrated.
Ratoath SNS - Bruno Starzyk; Jamie Kelly, Ríoch Nolan, Pearse Colwell; Tiarnan O’Connor, Ollie Coulter, Barra McGowan; Cian Flanagan (0-6 five frees), Connor Doyle (0-1 free); Connor Fitzgerald, Max Peake, Senan Brady; Cian Comerford, Michael Ryan, Fionn O’Meara. Brody Fleming, Joshua Potter (0-1), JJ Killian, Joe Jordan, Lorcan Whelan, Noah Martin, Ruairí Grogan, Michael Gallagher, George Ellison. Mentors: Niamh Shaw, Jemma Dillon, Pierce Butler.
Kilmessan - Shaun O’Dowd; Seán Horan, Liam O'Brien, Jack Sweeney; Freddie Lynch, Luke Staunton, Patryk Zwierzynski; Dinny Reilly (0-1 '52'), Eoin Horan; Tommy Clynch (1-0), Michael Gallagher (0-3 frees), David Keena; Stephen Kelly, Evan Mooney, Charlie Chomiskey. Callum Keena, Bobby Keogh, Harry Domican, Seán Lynch, Fionn Maguire, Shay Quinlan, Brody McNally, Liam Brooks, Thomas Gallagher, Erik Murphy, Aidan Gannon. Mentors: Róisín Carolan, Julie-Anne Gallagher.
Referee - John Byrne.