Thomastown 3-13
Kilmacow 0-11
It wasn’t the final everyone was expecting but Ballyhale played host to the u16 Roinn A championship final between Kilmacow and Thomastown.
Neither team had an easy path to this final with Thomastown having to overcome league champions Urlingford, while Kilmacow had to go to a replay in order to get past the strong Dicksboro lads
The game got off to a slow start with both teams struggling to get off the mark but eventually frees were slotted over to open the teams account.
Kilmacow started to edge ahead scoring further points from place balls ultimately building up a three point lead with Michael Donnelly keeping the ‘Town team in touch from both play and frees. Kilmacow were slightly more dominant closing in on the half time whistle but with moments to go young Thomastown corner forward was brought down inside the 21 yard line which resulted in Domo Connolly blowing the whistle for a penalty. Michael Donnelly stepped up and drove the ball low into the back of Kilmacow’s net to leave the half time score Thomastown 1-4, Kilmacow 0-7.
The second half started the same as the first with both teams exchanging points from frees from Michael Donnelly and Kevin McNamara respectively. The game remained a close affair but the Thomastown team started to make headway winning much of the ball in the middle of the pitch with the half backs and midfield lines working extremely hard and giving good ball into the forward line with Thomas O’ Hanrahan, Luke Blanchfield and Adrian Burke picking off their points from the ball being received. Shay Dempsey, Johnny Hayes and Adam Morgan did their best to try and keep the Kilmacow team in touch popping over points whenever they could.
But with five minutes left the Thomastown team started to pull away, their 1 point lead soon expanded when goals came from the ever dangerous Adrian Burke who also had a helping hand for Thomastown’s third goal which was rattled home by Andrew Kehoe. The game finished 3-13 to 0-11 in favour of Thomastown which was not a fair reflection of the effort extended by the Kilmacow team.
The work put in by the Thomastown team was immense with every player giving all they had. It was a deserving that brings the first Roinn A title to Thomastown for 28 years.
Thomastown Panel: Neil O’Meara, Gary Mason, Kieran Treacy, Liam O’Shea, Mark Walsh, Robert O’Hanrahan, Luke Blanchfield (0-1 ), Barry Whelan, Kevin Butler, Gary Lehane, Michael Donnelly (1-8 ), Andrew Kehoe (1-1 ), Thomas O’Hanrahan (0-1 ), Eoin Manning, Adrian Burke (1-2 )
Subs: Darragh McGarry, Eddie Corrway, Brian Bradshaw, Andy Walsh, Peter Blanchfield and John Murphy.
