Meath are the Gerry Reilly Shield Champions 2024

Meath 4-13 Louth 3-11

Meath’s Nathan Reilly got the opening score with a fisted point in the Gerry Reilly U16 FT Shield Final sponsored by Dromone Engineering played in Millbrook, Oldcastle on Sunday afternoon. He followed up with another point before Andrew O’Reilly pointed for Louth. Meath had wind advantage and added 2 points to their tally before Michael McGlew pulled one back for Louth. Indeed Louth could have led at this stage as they were off target on 3 successive occasions. Louth’s Ben Ryan’s goal in the 14^th minute had the sides level at 1-2 to 0-5.  Nathan Reilly’s goal stretched Meath’s lead to four points in the 25^th minute. A terrific response from Louth including a Tom Maguire goal had the sides level for the first time. A Jeff Foley point edged Meath ahead just before the break.

H/T: Meath 1-9 Louth 2-5

Meath failed to take their goal chances on the restart and it was nip and tuck between the two sides. Louth’s Tom Maguire pointed to have the sides level before Jeff Foley got Meath’s second goal. Meath’s ‘keeper, Kian Campbell was called on and denied two possible Louth goals.

The turning point in Meath’s favour was in the 48^th minute when Stephen Cahill goaled and put Meath up by 5 points. Louth never gave up and Andrew O’Reilly’s goal reduced the gap to three at 3-12 to 3-9. When Max Condon got Meath’s 4^th goal,  it had Meath in the driving seat. Louth never gave up and had a goal shot wide of the post. It was nice to see open football again from both sides!

Meath’s Nathan Reilly was presented with the ‘Man of the match’ award by Brendan Halpin  representing Dromone Engineering (Sponsor of the tournament)

Meath’s captain, Cillian Burns was presented with the Gerry Reilly Shield by Andrea Reilly (Gerry’s sister)

Scorers for Meath: Nathan Reilly 1-6(3f), Stephen Cahill 1-1, Jeff Foley 1-1, Adam McEvoy 0-4, Max Condon 1-0, Declan Byrne 0-1

Scorers for Louth: Andrew O’Reilly 1-3, Tom Maguire 1-3, Ben Ryan 1-0, Conal Mannion 0-2, Michael McGlew 0-1, Tadgh Deveney 0-1 and Sam Elvin 0-1

Meath: Kian Campbell Clonard;  Conal Sheridan Syddan,; 20 Oisin Finnegan Navan O’Mahonys; Dylan Feehan St Colmcilles; Glen Callaghan Duleek/Bellewstown; Luke Casey Navan O’Mahonys; Niall Lawless Donaghamore/Ashbourne; Cillian Burns Kilmainhamwood; Declan Byrne Summerhill; Jeff Foley Dunshaughlin;  Adam McEvoy Navan O’Mahonys; Eoin Gilsenan Moynalty; Stephen Cahill Dunsany; Nathan Reilly Simonstown; Evan Yore Carnaross Subs:  Josh Carolan St Michaels; Gareth Fox Skryne; David Daly Moynalty; Max Condon Simonstown; Oisin Finnegan Navan O’Mahonys; Jake Ryan Summerhill; Leon Harris Trim; Charlie Finnegan Senchelstown;  Eoghan McDonald Dunboyne; Omokorede Otubanjo Nobber; Matteo Brady Cortown/St Ultans; Charlie O’Connor Trim 

Louth: Eoghan McKeown Glen Emmets; Rian Hickey Mattock Rangers; Finn Madine Geraldines; Senan McGinty O Raghallaighs; Luke Woods Ardee St.Marys; Michael McGlew St.Fechins; Ruairi Carpentar St.Brides; Tom Maguire Westerns; Conal Mannion St.Kevins; Louis Ausden Glen Emmets; Tadgh Deveney Glyde Rangers; Ben Ryan Naomh Martin; Andrew O’Reilly N’mh Fionnbarra; Ewan Hoban Newtown Blues; Ryan Healy Newtown Blues; Senan Connolly Roche Emmets; Senan Hoey St.Brides; Oisin Reidy St.Jospehs; Liam Craven St, Mochtas; Seosamh O’Rourke Naomh Martin; Stephen Curtis Glen Emmets; Charlie McBride Stabannon Parnells; Sean McKenna Geraldines; Conor Wogan Glen Emmets; 27 Joseph Holland St. Patricks; Sam Elvin St. Patricks; Ruairi Hollywood Walker Cooley Kickams; Adam Keane Naomh Fionnbarra; Cillian McQuillan Naomh Fionnbarra

Ref: Raymond Farrelly (Westmeath)