St Finbarr's hold off Glen Rovers to take Seandún under-21 title for first time in 27 years
Pharmacare Ben Defeating Captain After Hc 21'a' Finbarr's O'hare Trophy Pic: Eddie Final St Rinn Pairc Under Ui The The Rovers At Raises Seandún In Triumphant: Cunningham Glen
Leading by seven points after 20 minutes, St Finbarr’s held on to claim the Seandún U21A hurling championship title at Páirc Uí Rinn on Wednesday night.
It is their first title since 1997.
Twice Glen Rovers fought back to draw level in the second half, but each time the Barrs were able to pull away again.
Conor O’Donoghue’s goal in the 48th minute yielded a 1-14 to 0-11 cushion, however with free-taker Stephen Lynam shooting 12 points overall and the Glen outscoring the Blues five points to one in the closing 10 minutes, the game was in the balance up to the end.
St Finbarr’s couldn’t have wished for a better start. Inside the first 15 minutes they moved five nil clear through man of the match and midfielder William Buckley, O’Donoghue and captain Ben Cunningham who whose accuracy from frees was vital.
It was 0-8 to 0-1 after 20 minutes between these city rivals, Diarmuid Wall registering for the Glen in the 16th minute.
The Barrs were guilty of fouling, Lynam happy to bring his side within one at the break, 0-8 to 0-7.
St Finbarr’s started the second half strong again, Rory O’Sullivan and John Wigginton Barrett had shots saved, while Lynam drew the Glen level for the first time.
Buckley added a couple of sublime points as the Barrs pushed three clear.
Again the Glen cancelled them out - captain Eoin Downey, Lynam from play and a free, 0-11 apiece.
James Kennefick got in a superb block for St Finbarr’s in front of goal and up front Buckley, Wigginton Barrett and Rickey Barrett pointed to extend the lead.
At this stage, the battle was intensifying.
While O’Donoghue’s well-taken goal after he rounded his marker put St Finbarr's six in front, they had to be at their very best to see this out and bridge a 27-year-gap to their last title.
B Cunningham (0-6, 0-5 frees), C O’Donoghue (1-2), W Buckley (0-5), J Wigginton Barrett and R Barrett (0-1 each).
S Lynam (0-12, 0-9 frees), D Wall, K Kelleher, E Downey and D Coughlan (0-1 each).
E Kelleher; E Hurley, T Egan, J Kennefick; A Barry, C Doolan, A Buckley; W Buckley, E Hallahan; R Barrett, B Cunningham (Capt), C Buckley; C O’Donoghue, R O’Sullivan, J Wiggington Barrett.
D Kennedy for E Hallahan (55), J Brady for R O’Sullivan (60).
B Heffernan; Z Lynch, E Varian, F O’Driscoll; C Connolly, E Downey (Capt), C McCarthy; R Dunne, J Brosnan; D Wall, E O’Leary, K Kelleher; J Kennefick, S Lynam, C Egan.
C Walsh for C Egan (half-time), D Coughlan for J Kennefick (39), E O’Sullivan for C Connolly (55).
Pat Lyons (Bishopstown).
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