Minor League: Killeavy 1-09 Keady 1-06
The long awaited u16 league final finally took place on Tuesday evening when Killeavy took on Keady under the lights at the Athletic Grounds. Before the start there was another slight delay as clashing colours meant that the teams had to toss to determine which would line out in a change strip. Killeavy won the toss and this proved to be an excellent omen for the rest of the night. This was Killeavy's first competitive game since the championship final in August and while the management have tried to fill the time with challenge games, it was noticeable that the lads were not at their usual level of sharpness. Playing with a gale at their backs in the first half, Killeavy took an early lead through Caolan Trainor but Keady struck back almost immediately to level the scores. Two points from Kealan O'Hare and Niall King were all that Killeavy had to show for ten minutes of pressure during which they hit five wides. Keady scored again before Killeavy finally found a bit of accuracy with points from Kealan O'Hare and two from Caolan Trainor. Two more wides followed making a total of seven in the first half and when Keady scored again on the brink of half-time, it looked as if a 0-06 to 0-03 lead might not be enough for the St. Moninna's team.Killeavy U16 team meet Michael Ó Muircheartaigh
Half Time: Killeavy 0-06 Keady 0-05
The Killeavy lead was wiped out within a minute of the second half starting when Keady broke away to score a well worked goal. Killeavy had the ideal response however when a foul on Niall Hollywood led to a penalty - expertly tucked into the corner by Caolan Trainor. Killeavy then stretched their lead with a Trainor free before Keady came roaring back into the match. Three points without reply left only the minimum between the sides as the game moved into the last ten minutes. Killeavy were not to be denied however and a brilliant catch in midfield by Man of the Match Ciaron O'Hanlon, led to him soloing straight through the Keady defence and fisting the ball over the bar. Within a minute he was at it again sending a beautiful point over from long range. Keady had chances to come back again but fine defensive work from Sean Kiernan, Donal O'Neill and Cathal Fearon kept them at bay. The final whistle sounded with Killeavy deservedly ahead by 1-09 to 1-06. The u16 league trophy was presented to team captain Caolan Trainor and this trophy combined with the minor and B league trophies marked a fine end of season for the Killeavy club with the completion of a hat-trick of league titles.Captain Caolan Trainor lifts the league trophy for Killeavy.
