Round 2 of the Division 1 Minor Hurling League (returning to U18 this year) produced another absorbing contest under the lights in Batterstown.

Navan, reigning 2025 U17 MHC champions after defeating Trim, provided a stern early test for DJ Coone’s side, who had already shown their resilience in a narrow opening-round defeat. That same grit and determination was evident again here.

In a low-scoring opening period, Joel Mangan opened with two pointed frees, either side of a Navan score from play, to leave Dunboyne ahead 0:02 to 0:01 after 15 minutes.

The game’s first major moment arrived soon after when Rory Callanan delivered a long-range free into the square. Nyles Ledwith reacted quickest, finishing to the net with a ground stroke — the second such goal in as many games. Pierce Hayes, making a welcome return from injury as part of the 2026 county minor panel, played a key role in the build-up.

Navan responded with a free and nearly found a goal themselves, only to be denied by an excellent save from Daniel Slevin. Late scores from Shea Mooney, following good work by Evan Murphy and Mangan, left Dunboyne in control at the break: Dunboyne 1:04 | Navan 0:02

Callanan extended the lead early in the second half with a superb long-range free, but Navan responded almost immediately with a goal to keep the contest alive (1:05 to 1:02).

Dunboyne’s response was emphatic. Shay Coone delivered a dominant second-half display, while Cillian Cunningham impressed at full back with composed defending under pressure.

Eoghan “Super-Mac” MacDonald produced the score of the game from the right wing after strong work by Marcus McGinn, before Callanan and Mangan combined cleverly from a quick ‘65 to push the lead out to five.

Despite Navan narrowing the gap to four points, Dunboyne’s defence stood firm. James McCarthy and Kevin Tighe both made crucial interventions to deny goal chances. Further scores from Shea Mooney extended the advantage to six points (1:09 to 1:03).

Two minutes later the crowd were wondering if Limericks Cian Lynch was on the field, when Neil O’Connor done the Lynch-flick and with ball in hand swivelled, tying his markers blood in knots, and just missed a score that would have went down in club folklore.

For the next ten minutes it was going to be backs against the wall defending and Navan were always going to have their purple patch. But our men stood up to the task. Liam Kennedy seemed to be in the middle of every ruck and spoiling Navan possession leaving the way for Super-Mac to pick up the pieces and relieve the pressure. Ethan O’Sullivan almost bagged a goal for Dunboyne in the 23rd minute

A late Navan surge saw them outscore Dunboyne 1:02 to 0:00 in the final ten minutes, including a last-minute goal, but it wasn’t enough to overturn the deficit.

The final whistle brought relief on a cold but dry night in Batterstown, with Dunboyne holding on for a hard-earned victory.

Final Score: Dunboyne 1:09 (3f) Navan O’Mahonys 2:05 (1f)

Dunboyne Team: Daniel Slevin; Kevin Tighe; Cillian Cunningham; James McCarthy; Shay Coone; Eoghan McDonald (0:01); Liam Kennedy; Pierce Hayes; Rory Callanan (0:02, 1f); Neil O’Connor; Ethan O’Sullivan; Evan Murphy; Joel Mangan (0:03, 2f); Shea Mooney (0:03); Nyles Ledwith (1:00) Sub: Marcus McGinn

Match report by Eamonn Murphy