Gorry and Lima goals spur Killenard to the Division 1 crown
Scoil Naomh Eoin, Killenard who played Holy Family SS in the Cumann na mBunscol Football Finals in Laois Hire O'Moore Park Photo: Alf Harvey
KILLENARD National School were crowned Cumann na mBunscol Division 1 champions after a deserved victory over Holy Family in a highly entertaining final.
The winners produced an excellent team display, with Christian Gorry the standout performer at full forward. He caused constant problems for the Holy Family defence, while Noah Neilon and Hugh Donoher, who lined out despite being ill during the week, impressed around midfield. Fabian Lima, Cian O’Leary and Matthew Fergusson also played key roles in attack.
Holy Family contributed fully to a lively contest, with Sean Daly and Oran Byrne among their best performers.
Killenard made a dream start when Gorry’s precise pass found Fabian Lima, who blasted to the top corner. Holy Family responded through Cian Reddington, who pointed from play, before Gorry struck for Killenard’s second goal.
Daly narrowed the gap with a point and then delivered a dangerous sideline ball that was punched to the net by Reddington. Holy Family moved ahead when Quinn McCarthy gathered a long delivery and Adam Fingleton finished to the net.
Killenard replied well. Lima pointed before Gorry and Fergusson helped swing momentum back in their favour. Gorry was denied by goalkeeper Cillian Rourke, but Noah Neilon found the net from the resulting 45 to leave Killenard 3-4 to 2-2 ahead at half-time.
Rourke produced several fine saves after the restart, but he was powerless to stop Gorry from finishing soccer-style to the bottom corner for Killenard’s fourth goal.
Callum Williamson replied with a free, but Killenard remained in control. A brilliant Gorry pass sent Fergusson through for their fifth goal, while Neilon added the final score after a Daly free as Killenard sealed the Division 1 title in style.
Fabian Lima 2-2, Christian Gorry 2-1, Matthew Fergusson 1-1, Noah Neilon 1-0.
Holy Family: Cian Reddington 1-1, Adam Fingleton 1-0, Sean Daly 0-2, Callum Williamson 0-1 SCOIL NAOMH EOIN KILLENARD: Mateo McElwee, Conan McLernon, Brian Doris, Sebastian Turley, Hugh Donoher, Finn Coleman, Noah Neilon, Jack Costello, Cian O’Leary, John Behan, Matthew Ferguson, Christian Gorry, Fabian Lima, Mateo Mannion, Andrew Duffy, Viktor Milligan, Iarlaith Carroll, Seán Devenney
Cillian Rourke, Sean Lalor, Luke Conlon, Tom Deegan, Aaron Scully, Sean Óg Brown, Oran Byrne, Callum Williamson, Jake Gorry Dunne, Sean Daly, Quinn McCarthy, Cian Reddington, Finn Conroy, Adam Fingleton, Jack Syder, Ben Scully, Ruairí Bannon,
