Ryle shines as Kilcavan secure Junior 'A' title against St Joseph's

Kilcavan are the 2024 Laois Shopping Centre Junior 'A' champions after a superb victory over St Joseph's second string in Laois Hire O'Moore Park. Three goals, two of those coming from Adam Hunt, proved crucial as they had six points to spare over their opponents.

Kilcavan 3-9

St Joseph's 1-9

The Junior Football final took place on Monday evening after it had been called off on Sunday afternoon due to Storm Ashley causing havoc across Ireland. There was a still a stiff breeze blowing during the game with Kilcavan kicking into it for the first 30 minutes. 

It didn't take long for Kilcavan to get things underway as Aaron Tarpey raised a white flag within the 60 seconds of Brendan McCann throwing-in the ball. Eoin Johnson replied for Brian Brennan's side with four minutes on the clock. Cian Ryle opened his account soon after from a free. Dean Brophy levelled the sides after 11 minutes with a great effort off the outside of his right boot from the terrace side. 

Kilcavan almost got in for goal with the next attack as Oisin Lalor went through on goal after a slip in defence by Robbie Langton but St Joseph's goalkeeper Adam Nichol Waugh stood tall to save the ball out for a 45'. Kilcavan kicked over the next two scores with Rory Lalor involved in both of them. He was fouled for a free which Ryle converted before Rory teed up his cousin Oisin Lalor to split the posts. St Joseph's raised a third white flag after a great pass from Jack Gorman found Jamie O'Brien inside the 45' and he called a mark which he put between the posts.

Rory Lalor was having a great game for Kilcavan as he forced a great save from Adam Nichol Waugh but this time the rebound went back into play where Adam Hunt was on hand to tap the ball into an empty net. Cian Ryle kicked over a third free before St Joseph's snuck in a goal before the break.

Josh Lacey played a high ball in which was broken down by Sam Lynch into the path of O'Brien and he squared the ball to Paddy Hickey to drill the ball into an empty net. Rory Lalor was fouled once again which allowed Ryle kick a fourth point of the half. Kilcavan led 1-6 to 1-3 at the break which was a perfect scenario for them having kicked into the wind.

Ryle picked up where he left off in the first-half with the first score following the resumption of play. Kilcavan would then get in for a second goal which was created after a superb run from Rory Lalor which saw him tee up Oisin Lalor to smash the ball past Adam Nichol Waugh. O'Brien (free) and an Adam Hunt point which bounced over saw Kilcavan lead by double scores, 2-8 to 1-4 after 42 minutes.

Ryle was once again to the fore with his sixth point of the game before Kilcavan all but secured the victory with a third green flag. Adam Hunt won the ball back off Jack Gorman and played a one-two with Ryle before he dispatched the ball into the St Joseph's net. St Joseph's came storming back and scored five points courtesy of Johnson (two), Darragh Farrell, Mikey Fleming and a Jamie O'Brien (free) before the end but Kilcavan had built up enough of a lead to see them over the line to be crowned Junior 'A' champions. 

Kilcavan will represent Laois in the Leinster Junior Club Championship where they'll face Craobh Chiarain of Dublin at a Laois venue on Saturday, November 2 at 2pm.