Kilbride roll back the years

For the first time since 1971 Kilbride have tasted championship glory as they claimed the Peter McDermott JFC Cup in sensational style with a 2-17 to 1-10 victory over Clann na nGael at Pairc Tailteann today.

Stunning goals in each half from the outstanding Adam Malone and a magnificent six-point return from Conor McWeeney were central to Kilbride's first JFC crown since 1960.

Kilbride started well with Zack McGovern, who replaced the injured Josh Harford before the start, fisting over from close range.

It was another five minutes before David O'Leary doubled that lead from a free and in the seventh minute the ageless Shane McAnarney opened Clann na nGael's account.

O'Leary with a '45' and a fine effort from play traded scores with Tomas Doyle (free) and Darragh Griffin to make it 0-4 to 0-3, then came Adam Malone's brilliant finish.

Malone capitalised on spilled possession in the Clann na nGael defence and rifled a shot from nowhere to the net. Conor McWeeney followed up with a point six minutes later and after Doyle responded with a converted free Andy McWeeney struck a point with the outside of the right to make it 1-6 to 0-4.

Clann na nGael did close the scoring in the half to stay in touch with Darragh Swaine on target to make it 0-5 to 1-6 at the break.

That score offered Clann na nGael false hope as Kilbride dominated the second-half and had the cup in the bag within six minutes of the restart as Conor McWeeney sandwiched Malone's excellent goal with two superb points to make it 2-8 to 0-5.

Swaine replied for Clann na nGael, but they were a beaten docket by that stage as Cathal McKeon and Conor McWeeeny made it 2-10 to 0-6.

Sean Og Tiernan forced Craig Manning into a fine save before he gathered the scraps to close the gap to nine points, but Kilbride were relentless with Conor McWeeney leading the charge with a fine score before O'Leary (free) and Malone stretched their side's lead to 2-13 to 0-7.

Clann na nGael never gave up and responded with points from Darragh Swaine (free) and Ciaran Fitzsimons, but anything the Athboy/Rathcairn side could do Kilbride could match with Mark Dempsey bombing forward to point and Cadhla McKenna also on target.

Even the consolation of a 58th minute goal from a Swaine penalty, after he had been fouled by Manning, couldn't mask Clann na nGael's disappointing display and after Malone (free) and Swaine traded points it was Conor McWeeney who fitting closed the scoring on what was a proud day for Kilbride and the end of a long drought.

SCORERS

Kilbride - Adam Malone 2-2 one free; Conor McWeeney 0-6; David O'Leary 0-4 two frees, one '45'; Zack McGovern 0-1; Andy McWeeney 0-1; Cathal McKeon 0-1; Mark Dempsey 0-1; Cadhla McKenna 0-1.

Clann na nGael - Darragh Swaine 1-4 1-0 penalty, one free; Tomas Doyle 0-2 frees; Shane McAnarney 0-1; Darragh Griffin 0-1; Sean Og Tiernan 0-1; Ciaran Fitzsimons 0-1.

TEAMS

Kilbride - Craig Manning; Mark Dempsey, Caolan Howard, Paddy Peters; Andy McWeeney, Conor O'Driscoll, Finn White; Cathal McKeon, Timmy Farrell; Conor McWeeney, Anthony Barker, Ronan O'Leary; Adam Malone, Zack McGovern, David O'Leary. Subs - Jamie McWeeney for R O'Leary half-time, Cian Harford for Barker 36 mins, Cadhla McKenna for McGovern 41m, O'Leary for O'Driscoll 44m, James Browne for White 58m.

Clann na nGael - Eoin Griffin; Killian Swaine, Darren Kelly, Darragh O'Reilly; Tommy Hanley, Jack Doherty, Philip Garry; Darragh Griffin, Cian Swaine; Josh McGrath, Darragh Swaine, Sean Og Tiernan; Shane McAnerney, Gerry O'Sullivan, Tomas Doyle. Subs - William Gleeson for McGrath, Sam Black for C Swaine both 43 mins, Aaron Ennis for D Griffin, Ciaran Fitzsimons for Doyle both 49m, Liam McNamara for Hanley 56m,

Referee - Robert Purfield (St Patrick's).

Full match report and photos from today's final in Tuesday's Meath Chronicle.