Boardsmill travelled to Paddy O’Brien Park in Navan on Friday evening to take on Navan O’Mahony’s in the Billy Byrne Cup, Group B. First time out for the ‘Mill lads since the Semi-Final of Hurling Intermediate Championship in 2020, all games between now and then will be good preparation for the Championship Final.

With a slight delay to the start of the match Boardsmill were keen to get going and none more so than Niall Durkan, who hammered home a goal after only two minutes. This was followed up by a converted free by Bernard McLoughlin. O’Mahony’s got off the mark with a converted free in the 8th minute. Liam O’Brien was substituted early due to injury bringing Jim Roche into action. Both sides traded scores and went into the first water break 0-05 (5) to 1-03 (6). Upon resumption of play, Boardsmill were awarded a penalty after a foul in the square thus duly converted by McLoughlin. Stevie Gibbons and Niall Durkan tapped over a point a piece to keep the scoreboard ticking over. However not to be outdone the home side were awarded a 14 yard free which they took quickly, taking the ‘Mill side unawares and buried it to the back of the net. The sides went into halftime with the home side up by one point 1-09 (12) to 2-05 (11).

Much like the first half the Boardsmill outfit started with a flourish and the ball was dropped into the Navan side’s square. With a little scramble Cormac Ryall finished to the back of the net. The Navan blue and white hoops were not giving up that easily and converted two quick points from play. McLoughlin converted another free to keep distance between and bring them into the 2nd water break 1-11 (14) to 3-06 (15). After the break the sides got back to action and traded scores again. Thomas Leonard showed huge commitment to chase down a Navan man when it looked like he’d no chance and got the block in to set up the final score of the game for Donal Flattery. Final score in Navan 1-13 (16) to 3-08 (17) Boardsmill edge it by the narrowest of margins. McLoughlin put in some hard yards this evening, along with Leonard and Jim Roche.

Boardsmill GAA Team: Mark Hatton, Johnny Mitchell, Neil McLoughlin, Conor Darby, Cian Royston, Cathal Wall, Liam O’Brien, Stevie Gibbons (0-1), James Durkan, Evan Dixon, Thomas Leonard, Donal Flattery (0-02), Bernard McLoughlin (1-04 (1-02f), Niall Durkan (1-01), Cormac Ryall (1-0). Subs: Jim Roche for O’Brien; Eamon Roche for Dixon.

Final Score: Navan O’Mahony’s 1-13 (16) v Boardsmill 3-08 (17).