Sampson is delighted as late goal seals thrilling Munster final win for Scoil Phobail Roscrea
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Jason Sampson’s last-gasp goal ensured Scoil Phobail Roscrea were victorious in the Munster Schools U19 D Hurling Championship after a terrific battle with St Munchin’s College in UL.
Twice Munchin’s battled back to within a score – the second as Ciaran Howard’s excellent goal from a free left just three between the teams with four minutes to go.
Howard followed that up with a pointed free in the 59th minute which left it 3-12 to 2-13, but as the clock moved into the red – Gearoid Maher dropped in a free that was cleverly batted in by Sampson, as the Shinrone man sealed victory for the Tipp school.
A heartbreaking end to the game for Munchin’s – who had fought back valiantly after a dreadful start. The concession of three goals in the first quarter of an hour left the Corbally school with a lot of ground to make up.
They trailed by 10 points after 20 minutes, but by half time they had shaved that deficit down to three.
A couple of points from Dan Hogan reduced their arrears to the minimum – 3-5 to 1-10, two minutes into the new half.
An important score from Sam Dooley followed, giving Roscrea their first raised flag in 18 minutes, and by the end of the third quarter they had stretched their lead back out to three – 3-8 to 1-11.
Frees from Maher (2) and Dooley (2) allowed Roscrea to pull out a six-point advantage with five minutes to go, but Munchin’s wouldn’t go away.
A brilliantly worked opportunity between Ruaidhrí Nolan and Hogan set Gavin Marshall up for a goal chance, and while his shot was saved – he was fouled.
Howard cunningly squeezed in the free at the near post to give Munchin’s a chance, but the early goals and Sampson’s knockout blow ensured they came up short.
Roscrea were sharp from the off as they goaled within five. Maher delivered the long ball in, which Dooley knocked on perfectly for Sampson.
The half-forward got away from his man and pulled on the sliotar, 1-1 to 0-1.
By the 10th minute Roscrea had doubled their lead, as Paul Simpson worked it to Jack Walsh, who in turn set up Seamie Clere for the finish, 2-4 to 0-2.
Clere turned from scorer to provider for the next one – as he pounced on a defensive error from Munchin’s and set up Dooley for the close-range finish, 3-4 to 0-3 with 16 minutes elapsed.
Though Munchin’s wouldn’t sink without a fight, Roscrea had made excellent use of their purple patch.
They played with conviction, and despite hard-working performances from the likes of Mark McDermott and Marshall, Roscrea had too much quality.
: S Dooley (1-6, 0-5 frees), J Sampson (2-1), S Cleare (1-0), G Maher (0-3 frees), J Walsh (0-2).
: C Howard (1-6, 1-5 frees), H Hodgins (1-1), R Nolan, D Hogan (0-2 each), G Marshall (free), M McDermott (0-1 each).
: M Watkins (Ballyskenach/Killavilla); M Loughnane (Roscrea), C McDonald (Roscrea), J Loughnane (Roscrea); S Maher (Moneygall), P Simpson (Shinrone), D Phelan (Ballyskenach/Killavilla); G Maher (Shinrone) (jc), A O’Donoghue (Roscrea); J Sampson (Shinrone), P Dooley (Roscrea), S Clere (Ballyskenach/Killavilla); J Moloney (Roscrea), S Dooley (Roscrea) (jc), J Walsh (Roscrea).
: C Mitchell (Roscrea) for Walsh (50), M Pasalic (Roscrea) for Dooley (57).
: B Minogue (Smith O’Briens); E Barrett (Parteen-Meelick), K Playon (Clonlara), J Begley (Clonlara); M McDermott (Parteen-Meelick), P Reddan (Clonlara) (c), S Maxwell (Parteen-Meelick); R Nolan (Parteen-Meelick), D O’Connell (Parteen-Meelick); G Marshall (Parteen-Meelick), H Hodgins (Clonlara), C Howard (Clonlara); S Barrett (Clonlara), D Dillon (Clonlara), D Hogan (Clonlara).
: G O’Brien (Clonlara) for McDermott, D O’Driscoll (Parteen-Meelick) for Hodgins (both 45).
: Éamonn Stapleton (Doon)