Shanahan following in brothers footsteps as Blackwater claim title in thriller

Blackwater CC (Lismore)2-9 John The Baptist CC (Hospital)1-9

The brother of Waterford star Dan hit 1-5 while Finan Murray, Shane O'Rourke, Shane Heaphy and Phil Bennett were also excellent for the winners.

Murray in particular was unbeatable at wing back and hit three points, all from placed balls, while Bennett showed marvellous skill in his defensive midfield role.

Despite losing captain Cathal Madden with a nasty hand injury after just two minutes which may well have cost them the match, the Limerick side fought valiantly and in Ciaran McAuley, Leonard Leahy, Mattie Quirke and Mark Deegan had four outstanding talents.

The teams were locked on four points apiece after 20 minutes before Shanahan (2) and Murray from a midfield free, had them 0-7 to 0-4 in front at the break.

Conor Cleary first timed Donal Kelly's cross to the net after 35 minutes.

They then added a point apiece and the game was tied for the fifth time. When Leonard Leahy pointed a 65 to give the Limerick school the lead, it looked as if they would go on and win the title but Blackwater college weren't quite ready to throw in the towel, and with 13 minutes to go Shanahan beat a couple of defenders before rattling the Hospital net for a superb lead goal and Blackwater never looked back.

Darragh Fives added a second goal minutes later and the title was heading to Waterford.

Scorers Blackwater CC: D. Shanahan 1-5 (0-3 frees); D. Fives 1-1; F. Murray 0-3 (0-1 free).

John The Baptist CC: M. Deegan 0-5 (0-4 frees); C. Cleary 1-1; L. Leahy (65); L. O'Shea, B. Ryan 0-1 each.

BLACKWATER CC: D. Pratt; T. McGrath, L. Byrne, N. Ahern; S. Heaphy, S. O'Rourke, F. Murray; P. Bennett, K. Mangan; P. Fitzgerald, S. Mangan, B. Bennett; M. Shanahan, J. Prendergast, D. Fives. Sub. M. Beghegan for P. Fitzgerald.

JOHN THE BAPTIST CC: A. Murphy; C. McAuley, B. Mulcahy, B. Cleary; O. Kirby, L. Leahy, K. Moloney; C. Madden, M. Quirke; D. McEniry, M. Deegan, L. O'Shea; D. Kelly, C. Cleary, M. Hayes. Subs. B. Ryan for Madden; J. Kennedy for M. Hayes.

Referee: J. Cummins (Glanworth).