St. Ultan's Cortown Gaels 1-9 St. Colmcilles 1-5

St. Ultan's Cortown Gaels claimed the Meath Under 15 Division 1 Football Championship title for the very first time with four points to spare over St. Colmcilles in front of a large crowd at Paddy O’Brien Park.

These two sides are no strangers to each other with the Seasiders holding the upper hand in their most recent meeting, the Division 1 FL final at Páirc Tailteann.

From the word go under lights last night at O’Mahony’s the Bohermeen parish side were up for the battle. St. Ultan's Cortown Gaels got a brilliant start and were 1-2 to 0-0 up inside the opening ten minutes. Patrick Travers opened the scoring and minutes later Matthew Martin finished to the ‘Cilles’ net. Travers added a second before the holders got off the mark, Sean Whelan sending over. Half back Eli Clynch extended St. Ultan's Cortown Gaels lead with a magnificent point before St. Colmcilles enjoyed their best period in the game.

Nicholas Ehichoya was giving the combination side serious problems in defence. In the space of seven minutes the talented forward registered 1-2 and a point from Eoin Dunne put the East Meath boys in front. Travers levelled matters just before the break and the teams went to the half time huddle on 1-4 apiece.

Dara Loughran and Whelan traded scores in the opening minutes of the second half before the game turned in favour of the team in white and green. Referee Simon Heneghan issued a black card to Cilles midfielder Ben Mullen and in the following ten minutes the outstanding Dara Loughran sent over three frees.

Travers received a black card for St. Ultans Cortown Gaels with 13 minutes remaining but try as they might St. Colmcilles could not break down a very resolute Ultans Cortown defence. Conn Brennan on one of his many solo runs up the field put the issue beyond doubt with the score of the game. Minutes later Heneghan blew the full time whistle to spark scenes of jubilation rarely seen at the Navan O’Mahony’s venue.

After the game Minor Board Chairperson Ray Finnegan, sponsor Pat O'Reilly and members of the O'Brien family presented the Paddy O'Brien Cup to St. Ultan's Cortown Gaels captain Tomas Proudfoot.

St. Ultan's Cortown Gaels scorers: Dara Loughran 0-4, Patrick Travers 0-3, Matthew Martin 1-0, Eli Clynch and Conn Brennan 0-1 each.

St. Colmcilles scorers: Nicholas Ehichoya 1-2, Sean Whelan 0-2, Eoin Dunne 0-1

St. Ultan's Cortown Gaels: Ben Mathews, Harry Keating, Tomas Proudfoot, Harry O’Brien, Eli Clynch, Dara Loughran, Matthew Skelton, Conn Brennan, Patrick Smyth, Patrick Travers, Matthew Martin, Rhys Callan, Rory Smith, Eoin Fitzsimons, Liam Lynch. Subs: Ryan McDonnell, Aaron Reilly, Oran Ball, Josh Rennicks, Eoin Davis, Patrick Monaghan, Harvey English.

St. Colmcilles: John Lawlor, Aidan Woods, Danny McCabe, Liam O’Donoghue, Nathan Doolin, Noah Noone Garland, Jack Sheeran, Ben Mullen, Eoin Dunne, Nicholas Ehichoya, Milo Hall, Cian Bennett, Sean Whelan, Eric Moloney, Niall O’Donoghue. Subs: Peadar O Mathua, Carl Cummins, Conor Flynn, Cillian Kavanagh, Dillon Sherlock, Finn O’Neill, John Carolan Maher, Finn Coyle, Matteo Higginson, Naoise McAvinia, Rory O’Neill, Theo McGovern, Dara Calvey, Aaron Cullen.

Referee: Simon Heneghan

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