Under 16 hurlers triumph

Leinster Hurling League  Roscommon 2-14 Meath 2-8 Roscommon Under-16 hurlers gained their third win in a row when they defeated Meath in the Leinster League at Mullingar on Monday.   Roscommon played with a strong wind in the first half and led 2-5 to 1-4 at half-time. They started off with a well-taken point by Niall Kilroy, followed by a long range point by Paul Higgins. Meath opened their scoring after 10 minutes with a point by Keith Keoghan. Then their corner-forward rounded the Roscommon defence and scored a goal. Cathal Kelly increased Roscommon’s lead with 3 well-taken points and Cillian Egan scored a gem of a goal from 20 metres. Niall Kilroy added another point from play and then Paul Higgins after a great solo run scored Roscommon’s second goal just on half-time.   Roscommon led at half-time by 2-5 to 1-4 but with Meath having the strong breeze in the second half the lead of 4 points did not look enough. Roscommon started the second half in a determined mood with 3 well-taken points by Paul Higgins, Cathal Kelly and Jamie Lawlor. Meath then started to get into gear and claimed a goal by Niall O’Roarke and 2 points by Ray Flaherty. However Roscommon regained their composure and 4 great points from play by Paul Higgins, Cillian Egan, Jamie Lawlor and Niall Kilroy left Roscommon in front. With ten minutes  to go there was only 3 points in it and Meath looked to be gaining the upperhand with the strong wind advantage. Roscommon stormed back into the game and finished with 3 points, 2 by Higgins and 1 by Kilroy. Roscommon gained a well-deserved victory and now look to a place in the semi-finals.   Naos Connaughton in goal brought off some excellent saves in the second half. Brian Donnelly, Mark Keaveney, Sean Moylette, Paul Donnelly and Conor Fitzgillon (until he retired injured) were all solid in defence.   Niall Keenan and David Concannon battled  hard all through at midfield while up front Paul Higgins with a personal tally of 1-6, Cathal Kelly (0-4), Cillian Egan (1-1), Niall Kilroy (0-4) and Jamie Lawlor were always a threat to the Meath defence. Jason Curley and Darragh Kenny impressed when introduced and Jason had to retire with a nasty hand injury with 15 minutes to go.   However the player of the match has to be Peter Kellehan firstly at full-back and in the second half Peter went to centre back and gave an exhibition of brilliant striking and his all-round play defied to Meath forwards on numerous occasions.