Final heartache again as Bandon lose in shootout

Bandon’s Irish Trophy final hoodoo continued as they suffered heartbreak in the decider for the third year in a row, going down to Kilkenny on penalty strokes at Belfield on Saturday.

Having led through Melvin Beamish, the West Cork men twice came back from a goal down to draw 3-3, with an outrageous Calum Crowley rocket from the endline and a Clinton Sweetnam drag-flick on the final whistle getting them level.

But Kilkenny prevailed 3-1 in the shootout ending their own heartbreak tale of two lost finals.