Shaws on fire as Athboy seal title

It wasn't exactly all the Shaw show in the Boys Div 1 Shield final, but O'Growney NS Athboy were inspired by the brilliance of Caiden Shaw as they saw off Gaelscoil Thulach na nOg by 3-9 to 1-3 at Trim on Thursday.

The Shaw boys, Caiden, Dillon and Rian, contributed 3-5 between them, but it was by no means a three man show as Ryan Bell made a number of terrific saves, while the half-back line of Killian Donohoe, Ronan Dullaghan and Oran McGovern were also magnificent.

Clinical Athboy were impressive from the off and it took them just 44 seconds to open the scoring with Pater Farkas on target. Two minutes later they benefited from a huge stroke of luck as Dillon Shaw's free from distance dropped to the net. Gaelscoil Thulach na nOg were a threat themselves and went close to a goal, but Aaron O Conchubhair's effort was scrambled off the line with Oran McGovern clearing the danger.

Sean O Beolain opened the Dunboyne side's account with a super score, but in the 12th minute they were hit on the counter-attack.

As O Conchubhair's effort was brilliantly saved by Ryan Bell, and the follow up blocked by Cathal Donohoe, the Athboy side broke at pace with Caiden Shaw embarking on a brilliant solo run before firing the second goal.

Caiden Shaw and Caimin O Diarmada traded points, but in fist-half injury time Caiden Shaw made the most of his second chance at a free before Rian Shaw expertly steered Ronan Dullaghan's long delivery to the net to make it 3-3 to 0-2 t the break.

Gaelscoil Thulach na nOg needed a bright start to the second half, but Bell made a magnificent save to deny Caimin O Diarmada.

Athboy extended their lead with points from Caiden Shaw (free) and Rian Shaw either side of a superb score from Aidan O Meachair.

Harry O Gib gave the Dunboyne school hope with a brilliant goal, but the Shaws and Athboy continued to dominate with Rian Shaw having an effort cleared off the line and Caiden Shaw converting a free, both after Dullaghan had also pointed. Dullaghan and Caiden Shaw added late pointed frees, but by that stage the Athboy side were already celebrating.

O'Growney NS Athboy - Ryan Bell; Jack Cummins, Simphiwe Maphosa, Cathal Donohoe; Killian Donohoe, Ronan Dullaghan (0-2 one free), Oran McGovern; Caiden Shaw (1-5 five frees), Dillon Shaw (1-0 free); Keelan Shaw, Afezwa Hlongwane, Jamie Kelly; Rhys Shaw, Pater Farkas (0-1), Rían Shaw (1-1). Michael Meeking, Callum Griffin, Charley Reilly, Ruben McGarrity, Kevin Lord, Elliott Cusack, Cillian Collier, John Bailey, Cillian Tenanty, Finn Gormley, Darragh Conroy, Thomas Gargan Lawes. Mentor - Richard Sheridan.

Gaelscoil Thulach na nOg - Carter Mac Liam; Jack Ó hAogáin, Aidan Ó Meachair (0-1), Ruairí Ó Cuinn; Pádraig Ó Ceallacháin, Cóilín Ó Doibhlinn, Cillian Mac Craith; Danny Townsend, Caimin Ó Diarmada (0-1); Lochlann Ó Donnchú, Seán Ó Beoláin (0-1), Cathal Ó Diarmada; Josh Mac Liam, Aaron Ó Conchubhair, Harry Ó Leathlobhair. Daniel Solon, Caleb Ó Gruagáin, Harry Ó Gib (1-0), Oisín de Paor, Eoin Ó Mhúrchú, Max Mac Larnáin, Daithí Mac Donnchadha, Leo Ó Maoilbheannachta, Theo Coquet Furlong, Sam Ó Briain, Cormac Ó Caisín, Charlie Ó Cearúil, Tom Ó Ceitinn, Daragh Mac An Ghearr, Andrew Ó Draighneáin, Seán Pelly, Harry Ó Maoluala, Rian Ó Súilleabháin, Anthony Ó Cíosóg, Ryan Ó Daibís, Bart Burenkov. Mentors - Niall Ó Gib, Niamh De Brún, Ross Banahan, Conor Ó Donnchú, Michael Lawlor.

Referee - Eoin Joyce (St Michael's NS Trim).