Bective 3-4, Meath Hill 0-12
Bective overcome a gallant Meath Hill to take the B League Div. 4 2018 title.
Conditions at Pairc Tailteann were perfect considering it was the end of October and both teams served up exciting football but Bective, courtesy of three fine goals, ended ahead by the minimum margin on the final whistle.
Bective started well and moved the ball into attack quickly, and fired over some fine points, including a free kick from Michael Lyness. An early ball to full forward Mark O’Brien who then threaded a delightful ball to Michael Lyness who made space to belt to the back of the net. Bective lost Mark to a pulled hamstring after 15 minutes and on comes Mark Walsh who did a lot of good linking work. Meath Hill came back with a couple of points but Greg Hogge, raiding from corner back, squeezed a point over the bar from an impossible angle to keep Bective with a two point lead at half time, with Bective 1-3 to Meath Hill 0-4. Bective had strong performers in this first half, especially in the middle third, including Ronan Murtagh, John Moran, Jarlath Brennan, Jack Grant, Jack Clarke and David Fitzpatrick.
Bective, now playing against the breeze, were finding it tougher to find good scoring positions and Meath Hill chipped away with two more points. Mickie Reilly was introduced to mid field and won some good primary possession. Again a good move through the middle had Ronan Murtagh close in on goal at speed and blast to the back of the net after 10 minutes and keep Bective ahead by 4 points. Meath Hill fire another point but goals win games and this time provided by “man of the match” contender Donagh Garvey who stormed through the middle and gave the Meath Hill goalie no chance. This was Bective’s last score and they had to hold out for the last 10 minutes against a Meath Hill side that clocked 5 more points from play and free kicks. Veteran Ruairi Russell was brought in and provided a target in front of goal. Shane Barry and Brian Hogge also came in and provided fresh legs to the Bective defense. Hold out Bective did and were delighted to have a 1 point to spare when the ref blew for full time. This was a fine team performance that showed plenty of heart and resolve to win this title.
Meath County Board Chairman Peter O’Halloran presented the Eddie Callan Cup (former Meath Hill stalwart) to Bective’s captain Gary Brennan.
Bective: Darren Killian, Greg Hogge, Gary Brennan, Jack Grant, David Fitzpatrick, Jarlath Brennan, Colm Barry, John Moran, Ronan Murtagh, Donagh Garvey, Brian Cantwell, Neil Dowdall, Michael Lyness, Mark O’Brien, and Jack Clarke.
