The 4-9 to 1-15 success saw the Staplestown outfit win a first title at the grade since 1976 as they produced a brilliant second half display to overcome a gallant Cappagh outfit.
The first half was tightly fought with a Conor Murray goal initially giving Kevin’s the edge before Cappagh battled back with top-scorer Jack Mulligan to the fore as the teams went into the break on level terms (1-5 to 0-8).
A Brian McNally goal inside the opening 10 minutes of the second half had Cappagh dreaming of a first-time title but the advantage didn’t last long with James Ralph netting a goal down the other end almost immediately.
The Phil Casey managed winners then gradually took over in the final quarter with Dylan Brereton netting a pair of goals in addition to four points from man of the match Declan Flaherty and while Cappagh were there till the end, they ultimatley couldn’t reel in the deficit as the Saints celebrated a huge win for the club.
St Kevin’s will go on to face Muckalee (Kilkenny) in the opening round of the Leinster Intermediate Championship in Manguard Park on Saturday October 31st at 2.30pm.
Keith Fitzharris; Enda Keane, Diarmid Smyth, Alan Bennett, Niall Keane, Mark Grace 0-1, Kevin McNamee; Jamie Smyth 0-1, James Ralph 1-0; Declan Flaherty 0-4, Dylan Brereton 2-0, Ciaran Smyth, Jamie O’Brien 0-1, Conor Murray 1-0, Barry Noone 0-2fs.
Subs: Conor Gordon for Bennett, 37; Kevin Ward for Murray, 37; Tom Barron for C Smyth, 55; Cormac Noone for B Noone, 55.
Paddy Haslam; Evan Farrell, Sam Sheahan, Oisin O’Cuill, Glen Carter, Shane Smith, Brian McNally 1-1; David Lovely, Darragh Devine; Dean Brennan, Shane Donohue, Enan McAuley, Cathal Doyle 0-3 (1tp), James Grogan, Jack Mulligan 0-11 (1tp,1tpf, 4fs).
Subs: Thomas Jackman for Brennan, 44; Toby McMoreland for Grogan, 48; Ollie Lewis for McAuley, 58.
Brendan Cawley.
