Terrific Tiernan shows the way for Kilcleagh NS boys

Kilcleagh NS 9-11 St Colmcille's NS 2-7

Tiernan O’Shaughnessy was the ringmaster supreme as Kilcleagh NS claimed a comprehensive victory over St Colmcille’s NS, Gainstown in the Boys’ Division 3 football final at TEG Cusack Park on Wednesday of last week.

A son of David O’Shaughnessy, who lifted the Delaney Cup as Westmeath captain in 2004, Tiernan scored a total of 5-2. His four goals in the first half helped the Castledaly school to a lead that looked unassailable at the interval (5-7 to 1-3) and so it proved.

It truly was a memorable day for Kilcleagh NS, with the school’s girls having also won their football final earlier.

O’Shaughnessy had an early goal chance, before Darragh Nee pointed in ensuing play and Oisín Quinn then added to Kilcleagh’s lead. The first goal arrived after about three minutes, O’Shaughnessy the finisher after Nee’s pass inside.

Shea Ryan opened Gainstown’s account from a free but after Harry Donlon pointed for Kilcleagh, O’Shaughnessy struck for his second goal. Despite the best efforts of players such as Tadhg Connolly, Gainstown were struggling at this stage.

As Kilcleagh continued their onslaught, a blistering shot from the influential Quinn crashed off the crossbar, leaving O’Shaughnessy with an easy finish to the net on the rebound. In the tenth minute, a point attempt by Nee deceived Gainstown keeper Joseph Grimes and ended up in the net, making it 4-4 to 0-1.

St Colmcille’s then gave themselves some hope with a 1-2 salvo. Firstly, Connolly sent over a point and, shortly afterwards, Rory McDonnell set up Mel Bohan, whose low shot found the far corner of the net (12th minute). Adam O’Donoghue blasted over a point to keep the momentum going.

But O’Shaughnessy struck for his best goal yet in a spell which saw the prominent Donlon land a brace of points. O’Shaughnessy’s second white flag ensured Kilcleagh held a 16-point lead at half-time.

Gainstown’s Ryan and Kilcleagh’s Marcus Ward exchanged points early in the second half, before O’Shaughnessy swept home his fifth goal with a splendid finish.

The goals kept coming for Kilcleagh as Tom Kelly (via an upright) and Bobby Kelly (lobbing the keeper with his effort) both found the net. Ryan had a goal chance for Gainstown but Patrick Galvin brought off a point blank save, one of several fine saves made by the Kilcleagh netminder.

To their credit, Gainstown kept plugging away and Mel Bohan caught the eye with some skilful play in the second half. Points were swapped between Gainstown’s Adam Timoney and Kilcleagh’s Quinn, before superb work by Bohan set up Adam O’Donoghue for a goal.

As St Colmcille’s continued to hunt for consolation scores, Ryan’s goal attempt was saved by Galvin at the expense of a point. At the other end, O’Shaughnessy set up Tim Casey for a goal chance he finished with ease. The scoring was completed by Kilcleagh points from Quinn and Donlon, either side of one from Gainstown’s O’Donoghue.

Player of the match: Tiernan O'Shaughnessy (Kilcleagh NS). An easy decision here. O'Shaughnessy was capably supported by the likes of Patrick Galvin, Oisín Quinn, Darragh Nee and Harry Donlon.

Scorers - Kilcleagh NS: T O’Shaughnessy 5-2; D Nee 1-1; H Donlon 0-4; T Kelly, T Casey and B Kelly 1-0 each; O Quinn 0-3; M Ward 0-1. St Colmcille’s NS: A O’Donoghue 1-2; M Bohan 1-0; S Ryan 0-3 (2f); T Connolly and A Timoney 0-1 each.

Kilcleagh NS, Castledaly - Patrick Galvin, James Dullea, Paddy Kelly, Leo Glynn, Aidan Marsh, Oisín Quinn, Darragh Nee, Tiernan O’Shaughnessy (joint captain), Eoin Lawlor, Harry Donlon (joint captain), Tom Kelly, James Griffin, Marcus Ward, Conor Harrington, Tim Casey, Matthew O’Shaughnessy, Bobby Kelly, Seán Linnane, Jack Doyle, Liam Nee, Eric Galvin. Teachers/coaches: Seán Melia, Sheila Martin, David O’Shaughnessy, Paul Donlon, Willie Glynn.

St Colmcille’s NS, Gainstown - Joseph Grimes, Fionn Buckley, Cian McDonald, Leon Saugnier, Ciarán Timoney, Shea Ryan (captain), Mel Bohan, Tadhg Connolly, Rory McDonnell, Adam O’Donoghue, James Donoghue, Patrick Davitt, Stephen Cornally, Adam Timoney, Fionn Carr, Nathan Ryan, Liam Smullen, Daniel Kiernan, Joshua Collentine, Tom Kiernan. Teachers/coaches: Eoghan Kenny, Donal Glynn.

Referee - Barry Kelly.