Munster club JHC final: Russell Rovers battle to famous win

Ten minutes into the second half this contest was a four-point game, but goals from Brian Hartnett (his second) and in stoppage time from Luke Duggan Murray sealed a convincing 11-point win for the Dave Dorgan managed and Dónal Óg Cusack coached outfit.

Praise must go to goalkeeper Ross Walsh also, who made several top-drawer saves.

This is a second provincial title at this level for a number of the Russell Rovers players having won the competition in 2019.

This recent success means six in-a-row titles for Cork clubs and the county’s 15th overall.

The only fly in the ointment for the winners is a red card picked up by corner-back Kevin Tattan and as it stands it would rule him out of the All-Ireland semi-final against Ulster champions Ballinascreen of Derry in two weeks.

The Cork representatives are already minus regular centre-back James Kennefick who has gone abroad.

Kilrossanty from the Lemybrien club, had a great start to this match courtesy of a goal after 12 seconds from Eoin Power set up by Alan Dunwoody, but they will regret their wides, especially nine in the first-half alone.

Russell Rovers, meanwhile, were slow to settle, Josh Beausang’s point in the 16th minute started a run of scores that yielded 1-4 in four minutes.

The first three points came from Beausang, Daniel Moynihan and Brian Hartnett.

Hartnett then registered the game’s opening goal following good work by Kieran Walsh, he latched onto the breaking ball and coming in from the left unleashed an unstoppable shot.

Beausang added a point, ensuring a 1-5 to 1-1 lead in the 19th minute.

Meanwhile, the visitors were missing chances from open play and placed balls.

County player Pádraig Fitzgerald did find the radar twice - one free - to leave the half-time score 1-5 to 1-3.

Russell Russell restarted quickly and added three points from Beausang within five minutes - one beauty from over the shoulder.

The Déise finalists stayed in touch, that is until Daniel Moynihan’s delivery was superbly fetched by Hartnett and he found ample space to shake the net, 2-9 to 1-5 on 48 minutes.

At this stage, captain Ciarán Sheehan had one hand on the Rody Nealon Cup.

Seven minutes from time Tattan got his marching orders for a foul on Dunwoody, the close-in free from Pádraig Fitzgerald saved by Walsh and cleared.

Twins Pádraig and Séamus Fitzgerald nabbed a brace for the Waterford side.

The closing flags however, were for the Shanagarry club, another sweet point from Beausang (his seventh) and outfield player Duggan Murray’s goal from 30 metres two minutes into stoppage time.

Scorers for Russell Rovers: B Hartnett (2-2), J Beausang (0-7, 0-3 frees), L Duggan Murray (1-2), D Moynihan (0-1).

Scorers for Kilrossanty: P Fitzgerald (0-5, 0-4 frees), E Power (1-0), Paul Whyte and S Fitzgerald (free) (0-1 each).

RUSSELL ROVERS: R Walsh; K O’Brien, P Lane, K Tattan; E O’Sullivan, F Murray, D Moynihan; K Walsh, R Cummins; J Beausang, K Moynihan, D Ruddy; L Duggan Murray, C Sheehan (Capt), B Hartnett.

Subs: J McGrath for D Ruddy (43), M O’Dwyer for C Sheehan (50), S Walsh for R Cummins (57), J Scannell for F Murray, K Aherne for D Moynihan (both 63).

KILROSSANTY: R Hogan; R Hayes, C Walsh, D Fitzgerald; S Veale, M Dunne, F De Paor; S Fitzgerald (Capt), Patrick Whyte; J Kay, A Dunwoody, J Power; E Power, C Kennedy, P Fitzgerald Subs: Paul Whyte for C Kennedy (half-time), P Keating for F De Paor (35), D Walsh for S Veale (43), P Cunningham for J Kay (48).

Referee: Alan Tierney (Tipperary).