Wednesday 22nd October 2025

Kepak Park, Dunboyne @ 8pm

Ref: Sean Gahan

St. Peter’s, Dunboyne 3-13 Blackhall Gaels 1-5

Less than two weeks ago, these two clubs combined to win the minor div. 2 championship. On Wednesday they were competing against each other for the U15 Division 2 Shield. This was the fourth meeting of these teams this year with previous contests very tight and competitive.

Sean Gahan threw in the ball on the dot at 8 under the lights on the perfect sod of Kepak Park. Both teams were finding their feet in the early stages with Darragh Harkin opened the scoring with a fine strike off his left on 5 minutes. Blackhall replied with the next play from their midfield. Matthew Hyland landed a score to give the home side the lead on 8 minutes and he followed up within a minute to extend. Blackhall pointed to narrow the gap to the minimum halfway through the half. Liam McElroy made an excellent stop, and the rebound was covered by his backs, Sam Healy and Rory Collins performing solid throughout. Harkin popped another score on 21 mins followed by a well worked team score finished by Hyland. Harkin then finished low to the keepers left for a fine goal after a strong run to put daylight between the teams. Hyland again and a lovely score from Charlie Clarke-Murphy rounding out the half leaving St. Peters leading 1-7 to Blackhall’s 0-2. The Dunboyne defence were giving up nothing in that first half with Daniel Meenan at full back and the half back line of Milo O’Rourke, the superb Noah Gormally at centre and Charlie Kane working hard and smart to keep the Blackhall chances to a minimum.

Blackhall began the 2nd half brightly with a fine score from their wing forward from a free out on the left, but Gormally hit a smashing 65 over in reply. Scoring was hard to come by for the next 10 mins or so as both teams battled gamely. The mini drought was ended with an excellently take goal from Charlie Clarke-Murphy following some great team work in the lead up particularly from Michael Daniel Kelly who had a great battle with the Blackhall half back over the hour. Caelon O’Dowd was a force at midfield for Dunboyne throughout and drove on his colleagues. Harkin (play) and Gormally (65) added before Blackhall again replied. On 20 minutes the hard-working Harry Clarke Murphy finished for a decisive goal and Dunboyne had a decent lead at this stage. The work rate from the home team was excellent in this contest epitomised by Dermot Dempsey and Senan McNulty and the hook and block count was high and Aidan Maher had a decent showing when introduced. There was still fight in Blackhall and they got 1-1 in the next 5 minutes but Hyland, who left everything out there finished with a pair of points to close out the game.

Captain Daniel Meenan accepted the shield on behalf of his team after the game.

St. Peter’s Dunboyne: Liam McElroy, Sam Healy, Daniel Meenan, Rory Collins, Milo O’Rourke, Noah Gormally (0-2), Charlie Kane, Caelon O’Dowd, Darragh Harkin (1-3), Michael Daniel Kelly, Matthew Hyland (0-7), Charlie Clarke-Murphy (1-1), Senan McNulty, Harry Clarke-Murphy (1-0), Dermot Dempsey. Subs: Aidan Maher, Aeron Shins, Cathal Sheehan, Aubrey Naughton, Oran Watters, Max Nolan, Teddy Madigan, Conor Walsh, Tadgh O’Mahony.

Report by Sean Callanan Hogan Stand Meath