ALL IRELAND U16 LEAGUE FINAL

Navan 24 Muskerry 8

Muskerry s superb run came to an end in Naas on Sunday after being beaten in the All Ireland U.16 League Final 24-8 by Navan. Having defeated Connemara in the All Ireland Semi final with a close 5-0 win, the South Munster side were hoping to go on and take their first All Ireland title. However, Navan s experience at this level paid off, and the Cork side failed to capitalise on possession to notch up scores.

Muskerry went ahead just five minutes into the match when out half Tyrone O Regan converted a penalty. Navan came back with a try which was converted, locking the game at 7-3 for much of the half. After the restart, Muskerry were coming into the game, when a Navan try against the run of play set them back. Muskerry had a mountain to climb after Navan notched another seven points on the board. However, they battled hard for possession and were rewarded with a try from winger David Lee. It wasn t enough though to overcome Navan, who held out for a comprehensive 24-8 victory.

With solid performances from scrum half Eoin Kennedy and winger David Lee, the pack also worked well and caused untold problems for Navan. Handling errors did cost them scoring opportunities, but despite the disappointment of the result, Muskerry will be proud of the performance and achievement of the team who were the first youth team in the club s history to contest an All Ireland Final.

Muskerry Team: 15. John O Keeffe, 14. Patrick Buckley, 13. Denis O Sullivan, 12. Aidan Murray, 11. David Lee, 10. Tyrone O Regan, 9. Eoin Kennedy,1. John Sexton, 2. Jeff Murphy, 3. Karl Dorney, 4. David Griffin, 5. Robert Collins, 6. Gearoid Walsh, 7. David Flannery, 8. Shane Crowley. Substitutes: 16. Finbarr Crowley, 17. Ciaran Connelly, 18. Darragh Masterson, 19. Timmy Burke, 20. Colm Lyne, 21. Alan Finnerty, 22. Mark Healy.