In front of 11 thousand supporters at sunny Nowlan Park on Sunday last Dicksboro were crowned Minor County champions. A very strong overall team performance secured this victory for Dicksboro who had worked tirelessly to ensure their win. This is their second win in a row at this grade and is the culmination of all the fantastic work being done by the club and the mentors who have brought these young hurlers to this stage.
Kilmacow started this final very brightly with excellent points from Josh Tobin and Shay Dempsey. However, when 'Boro were awarded a 21 yard free which was converted by Cillian Buckley, it provided the spark that was required to drive on with a further three points, from Ollie Walsh, Cillian Buckley (free ) and Shane Clohessy.
A pointed free from Kilmacow's Johnny Hayes was quickly cancelled out by a point from Ollie Walsh. Ollie also scored the next 'Boro point from play which he took from the New Stand side at a very acute angle and he followed this up with a point from a free. A final point by Cillian Buckley from a 65 ended the 'Boro's scoring in the first half which ended Dicksboro 0-8, Kilmacow 0-5.
Aidan Nolan scored the first point of the second half for the 'Boro but this was soon followed by a well taken goal by Josh Tobin who rifled the sliothar to the top corner of the 'Boro net giving Aaron Duggan no chance. The pace of the game really stepped up and a great passage of play by Aidan Nolan saw a goal chance saved but Darragh Buggy was on hand to put the sliothar over the bar from the resultant breaking ball. Buggy also added another point from play and it was from this point on that the 'Boro dominated the game. Aidan Nolan, who was threatening the goal throughout was rewarded by scoring a superb goal following a low delivery from Ollie Walsh.
With the game entering the final ten minutes, Kilmacow were behind by 1-14 to 1-7 and so when they were awarded a 21 yard free there was no option but to go for goal and Johnny Hayes obliged, giving their supporters some hope.
Dicksboro, driven on by a fantastic midfield of Eoin Fennelly and Cillian Buckley replied with three points of their own to put this game beyond the reach of Kilmacow and march on as well deserved victors.
Final score: Dicksboro 1-18 Kilmacow 2-7.
Panel: Aaron Duggan, Evan Cody (JJ Hickey Inj ) Mikey Hayes, Conor Maharaj, Eoin Gough, Gary Gaule, Rory Glynn, Eoin Fennelly, Cillian Buckley, Darragh Buggy, Ollie Walsh, Peter Turley, Aidan Nolan, Evan Guilfoyle, Shane Clohessy, Darragh Holohan, Ruairi Morrissey, Robbie Fitzpatrick, Eoin Cantewell, Kevin Kenny, Mason Clifford, James Gittens, Stephen Tynan, Aaron McDonald,, Matthew Nolan, Stephen Farrell, Gerry Walsh, Luke O'Hara, Joe Bollard, Sean Scott, James Murphy, Daniel Farrell, Enda O'Donoghue, Gary Lynch, Shane O'Brien.
