St. Ciaran’s CS Kells 1-13 Gallen CS Ferbane 1-9

St. Ciaran’s Community School bridged a 28 year gap with this four point win over Gallen CS Ferbane in an entertaining North Leinster Senior Football C final played at St. Lomans Mullingar. The last title to make its way to the Kells school came in 1998.

The Meath school dominated most of the opening half and took a 1-5 to 0-5 lead to the dressing rooms at half time.

The impressive Adam O’Brien put Kells on the scoreboard first after a cagey opening five minutes. Ruairi Woods levelled matters soon after before the games first goal arrived courtesy of Ciaran’s full forward Jake Madden.

Playing against the breeze and with Conor Og Ferguson winning loads of possession, St. Ciaran’s led 1-4 to 0-3 after 20 minutes. Gallen captain Colm Egan landed a two pointer to reduce the lead to two. Cian Loughran had the last say and pointed a free to send his team in at the break three points in front.

The outstanding Shane Callaghan increased that lead in the opening minutes of the second half. By the end of the third quarter the Kells school were seven in front with fine efforts from Loughran (3), Madden and Luke Harte and looked set for victory. Gallen, who had defeated the Noth Meath school in the group stages, had other ideas. Senan Hanniffy and Luke Fitzgerald raised white flags before Egan had the ball in the Ciaran’s net and the lead was down to two.

Kells were not to be denied. Coupled with some brilliant defending from Caoimhin Jordan, Charlie Lynch, Callaghan, O’Brien and Shane Bennett along with match winning points from Madden and midfielder Evan Demange they went on to record a memorable victory.

After the game captain Shane Callaghan was presented with the North Leinster Senior Football C trophy to the delight of his team mates, the school Ultra’s and their large following.

St. Ciaran’s: Caoimhin Jordan, Charlie Lynch, Shane Callaghan 0-2, Eoin Ennis, Adam O’Brien 0-1, Shane Bennett, David Daly, Evan Demange 0-2, Sean MacMahon, Conor Og Ferguson, Jake Coyne, Cathal Donoghue, Luke Harte 0-1, Jake Madden 1-3, Cian Loughran 0-4. Subs: Callum Reilly, Tom Treacy, Hugh O’Reilly, Dan O’Brien, Gavin Burke, Robert O’Brien, Luke Quinn, Odhran McMahon, Dara Brennan, Zak Boshell, Liam Farrelly, Cian Madden, Dillon Glynn, Aaron Lynch, Jack McCormack, Connor Finn, Henry McCormack, Kian Fitzsimons, Darragh Smith

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