Cortown was the setting for the first U20 Championship Final on Sunday morning, the early morning fog clearing just in time to facilitate what proved to be a tense and absorbing tussle between two well matched teams.

It was a case of north v south with Drumconrath/Meath Hill and Longwood/Boardsmill representing opposite ends of the Royal County.

The teams had met in the opening round of the competition and this familiarity led to a low-scoring first quarter.  Longwood/Boardsmill could hardly have asked for a better start, Darragh Purcell raising a green flag with little over a minute on the clock.  

Surely a great settler for the boys?  It turned out not to be the case, with the team registering only two points in the remaining 29 minutes of the opening half.  In contrast, their opponents would kick seven points, five of which came from placed balls.  While Longwood/Boardsmill supporters could rightly question some of the calls, the concession of frees was a major factor throughout the contest.  It enabled the Drumconrath/Meath Hill combination to keep the scoreboard ticking at a healthy rate and saw them take a two-point lead to the half-time interval.

Half-time: Longwood/Boardsmill 1-2 Drumconrath 0-7

The half-time reset clearly worked; Longwood/Boardsmill emerged from the dressing rooms seemingly re-energised and took the fight to their opponent from the outset.  

Despite conceding the opening point of the half, they proceeded to rack up 1-3 without reply in a glorious four-minute spell.  Two excellent points from Harry Leigh sandwiched a fine point from Conor M Dixon and well taken goal from Ronan Greene.  The goal was the culmination of an excellent team move which saw the ball transferred quickly and accurately through the hands of at least five players before reaching Greene who finished it in style.  A three-point deficit had quickly turned into a three-point lead.  Their tails were up and they looked set to kick for home. 

But Drumconrath/Meath Hill showed their trademark tenacity.  They kicked four of the next five scores to draw the sides level.  Their run of scores only interrupted by an excellent point from Cian O’Sullivan.

A pointed free from Conor M Dixon edged Longwood/Boardsmill ahead with just over five minutes to play.  This was quickly followed by an equaliser from yet another free.  The sides level again with time running out.

Huge credit to the Longwood/Boardsmill defence who stood firm under intense pressure in the remaining minutes.  Dean Phillips, Patrick Guy, Patrick Cribbin and Enda Byrne formed a human wall and repelled a series of attacking threats.  

With the game up for grabs the boys showed great composure and determination, kicking the final three points of the contest courtesy of Darragh Purcell, Cian Swan and Conor Dixon.  The final score being a particularly impressive effort which saw Dixon break up a dangerous attack before charging up the field and splitting the posts.  

After a few more tension-filled minutes, the referee’s whistle finally brought the game to an end.  The delight of players and supporters was evident as they embraced in the middle of the field.

Commiserations to Drumconrath/Meath Hill who fought admirably to the bitter end.  They represented their clubs with great credit.

But this was Longwood/Boardsmill’s day and they were deserving winners.

Credit to all of the players, particularly the younger members of the panel, many of whom are still minors.  Rian Holton merits a special mention – the young midfielder delivered a towering performance, winning primary possession when it was most needed.    

But it was truly a collective performance - every member of the panel and their coaches contributed to this success, and we hope they enjoyed the celebrations that followed.  

 Longwood/Boardsmill: Andrew Gallagher, Patrick Guy, Enda Byrne, Patrick Cribbin, Sean Cribbin, Cian O’Sullivan (Capt.) (0-1), Dean Phillips, Rian Holton, Thomas Dorran, Conor M Dixon (0-2), Conor Dixon (0-2), Harry Leigh (0-2), Ronan Greene (1-0), Darragh Purcell (1-2), Cian Swan (0-1). Subs: Cormac Byrne for Dorran, Patrick Egan for Greene, Peadar Cotter, Joe O’Neill, Liam Foran, DJ Feerick, William Phillips