Paddy Kelly of Southern Gaels in possession as Leo Brogan of St Brigid's applies pressure. Photo: John McCauley. See below for more photos.

Southern Gaels U14s claim county title

Published: Wed 30 Sep 2026, 2:45 PM

Southern Gaels 5-11 St Brigid's 1-8

Southern Gaels captured the Westmeath Under-14 Hurling Championship Division Two title with a dominant performance against a hard-working St Brigid's side at TEG Cusack Park last Saturday week.

The Athlone outfit played against the wind in the first half but an excellent work rate saw them lead by 2-4 to 1-3 at half-time. Their half back line of Cillian Coughlan, Sénan Rafferty and Harry Donlon was the springboard for many fine scores.

Paddy Kelly and Senan McLoughlin got the goals, while Coughlan pointed two long range frees, with Aengus Baker and McLoughlin adding the other white flags. Aodhan Dunbar hit 1-1 for St Brigid's but they didn't make the most of the wind advantage.

Gaels made the perfect start to the second half with a Paddy Kelly goal followed by two Coughlan points. The Rochfortbridge side had a great spell midway through the half as they hit five points, three from play, but the Gaels defence held firm with Lorcan McMonagle, Tadhg Ó Faoláin and Ronan Bourke to the fore.

Ryan Kelly was always dangerous for Brigid's but they failed to score in the final ten minutes as the Athlone-based side dominated. Aengus Baker, Rory O'Connor and Ronan Ghee added well taken points, while player of the game Cillian Coughlan played a captain's role with two goals. After referee Barry Smyth blew the final whistle, Cillian was presented with the trophy.

Cormac Slevin was faultless in goals with well placed puckouts and Kyle Madden played a leading role in centrefield. Damien Clerkin and Daniel Connaughton played vital forward roles and contributed much to the victory.

St Brigid's had a star in goalkeeper Tyler Maguire with Cian Gavin and Ryan Brogan top class defenders. Aaron Robinson and Cian Seery also played well throughout.

Overall, it was a deserved victory for the Shannonsiders and their management team of Danny McMonagle, Frank Kelly and Ollie Baker. The Southern Gaels club thanks Connaughton Sand and Gravel for their sponsorship of the post-match meal in The Bounty.

Southern Gaels: Cormac Slevin; Tadhg Ó Faoláin, Ronan Bourke, Lorcan McMonagle; Cillian Coughlan (captain, 2-4), Sénan Rafferty, Harry Donlon; Kyle Madden, Rory O'Connor (0-1); Senan McLoughlin (1-1), Ronan Ghee (0-1), Aengus Baker (0-2); Paddy Kelly (2-2), Damien Clerkin, Daniel Connaughton. Subs used: Leo Glynn for Ó Faoláin, James Ghee for Connaughton, Tiernan O'Shaughnessy for McLoughlin, James Dullea for Clerkin and Ollie Welton for Madden. Other subs: Tom Gunning, Seamus Kilroy, Sean Slevin, Kyle Pestana O'Callaghan, James Dillon and David Acti.