Michael the Meehan man as Caltra take historic first title

Caltra 3-11 Killererin 0-5

It enabled a superbly prepared team to embellish their victory with a style and conviction rarely afforded clubs on such historic occasions.

The second of their goals, from wing-back Paul Gately just before the break, helped them to an unexpected eight points lead at half-time. And, after successfully absorbing early second half pressure from Killererin, another goal in the 42nd minute meant they were absolutely certain of winning.

It was a day when youth, mobility and a driving determination to succeed, proved too potent a force for the Padraic Joyce-led Killererin.

While it was no one-man show, nobody would dispute the remarkable contribution of man of the match Michael Meehan, the youngest of five brothers in the team.

He had 1-8 scored before he was withdrawn to allow the first of several substitutions be made and was also involved in the scoring of a further goal and three points. In short, he was awesome.

Team captain Noel Meehan, who missed out on a full season of football after a near fatal sleepwalking accident two years ago, readily acknowledged his display:

"Michael was Michael. He played so well. But, I wouldn't want to detract from the rest of the players. The back-line was superb in the second half, as they were all year. They didn't give Killererin a sniff.

"We didn't care how we won it. The first goal was vital. It really settled us down. There were bound to be nerves in our first county final in 28 years, but we knew, if we kept playing football and kept it open and kept working, it would workout for us."

Tomas Meehan, the most experienced of the brothers, agreed that they never expected it to be so easy. "But things went right for us, especially in the first half when the bounce of the ball put us through for a couple of goal chances. We had so much hunger we were not going to leave it behind us, definitely not."

The opening passage of play was notable for the reason that Killererin played the better football, showing the benefit of their greater experience. And, they were also playing into a strong wind. Padraic Joyce kicked two wides before putting them into the lead from a 3rd minute free and after 16 minutes they led 0-3 to 0-1.

However, the pattern of the game changed dramatically when Michael Meehan goaled in the 17th minute showing clinical finish after having been put in possession by centre-forward John Galvin. The score lifted morale and eased their nerves.

Operating with just Michael and Noel Meehan inside, they regularly exposed the Killererin backs.

Caltra were three points clear when a superb move, involving Michael Meehan, resulted in Declan Meehan running on to a great ball only to put the ball over the ball with the goal at his mercy.

Nevertheless, it didn't discourage them, since they actually strengthened their grip on the play and moved into a commanding position when wing-back Paul Gately scored their second goal in the last minute.

It was brilliantly taken, but the opportunity arose from the genius of Michael Meehan, who picked him out unmarked on the left wing.

It left the half-time score 2-5 to 0-3.

Inevitably, Killererin put in a big effort in the opening ten minutes of the second half, but progress was minimal. In fact, apart from a Padraic Joyce free in the 37th minute, they were to gain only one more score, from Nicky Joyce, eight minutes later.

Caltra operated a blanket defence of sorts when the need arose, with Jarlath Murray very impressive in the right corner and Declan Meehan hugely influential on the wing outside him. They invariably threatened scores on the breakaway, with Galvin especially prominent at centre-forward and Michael Meehan's free-taking unerring.

Fittingly, Galvin was the scorer of the third goal and while the game had 18 minutes to run after that score, the Frank Cox Cup was already en route to a new home.

Ref Mick Curley did a good job.

Scorers: Caltra: M. Meehan 1-8 (0-5 frees); J. Galvin and P. Gately 1-0 each; D. Meehan, S. Hogan (free) and N. Meehan 0-1 each.

Killererin: N. Joyce 0-3 (0-1 free); P. Joyce 0-2 frees.

CALTRA: K. Kilroy; J. Murray, E. Meehan, B. Kilroy; D. Meehan, K. Gavin, P. Gately; O. Hennelly, D. Cunniffe; T. Meehan, J. Galvin, M. Killalea; M. Meehan, N. Meehan (capt.), C. Kilroy.

Subs: B. Laffey for Cunniffe (second half); K. Killalea for C. Kilroy (45th); S. Hogan for M. Meehan (55th); A. Murray for J. Murray and D. Costelloe for B. Kilroy (58th).

KILLERERIN: A. Keane; S. Wilson, O. Wilson, D. Flaherty; P. Miskell, T. Joyce, M. Nicholson; M. Mitchell, T. Wilson; G. Curran, P. Joyce (capt.), T. Flynn; K. Courtney, N. Joyce, P. Mitchell.

Subs: T. Mannion for O. Wilson (injured, 19th minute); J. Wilson for S. Wilson 42nd).

Referee: M. Curley.