Village victors go to town

James Stephens 2-16, Young Ireland’s 3-12

DJ Carey's brilliance produced three late goals to revitalise Young Ireland's flagging challenge and with two points separating the teams, he drove a 64th minute penalty inches over the bar to seal his team's fate.

Outstanding James Stephens captain Peter Barry admitted to "the greatest feeling in the world" after lifting the trophy but he had felt very differently minutes earlier. "It looked like DJ was going to score. You couldn't help feeling that we were going to leave it behind us," he said. "We were lucky the gods smiled on us."

Half-back colleague Philly Larkin, who put in a mighty effort along with another of the team's veterans, Brian McEvoy was more relieved than any of the James Stephens players. He had made his only mistake of the game when he failed to clear a ball which led to the awarding of the free from which Carey scored his second goal. "My heart was in my mouth when he lined up to take the penalty. I thought I was after losing the game. I would never have forgiven myself."

Carey, meanwhile, was philosophical as delirious James Stephens fans like Brian Cody (whose son Donncha distinguished himself at corner-back), celebrated on the field. "I don't think we were unfortunate. We had been trying to catch up after they got their early goal."

The first 20 minutes of the game had been delicately balanced, with never more than a point between the sides and scores level five times.

Notably, however, twice during this period Young Irelands were unlucky not to get goals. First keeper Francis Cantwell saved a point-blank shot from Carey in the 7th minute. Then Philly Larkin made a goal-line save in the 14th minute, after Cantwell lost possession trying to clear, Carey got in a half-shot and full-back Martin Phelan partly blocked it. The significance of these events was that the Village were able to build up their challenge, initially by covering well in the full-back line, where Phelan strong and much taller than Carey did much better in limiting the threat from the Young Irelands talisman.

And while Charlie Carter looked quite threatening at stages, he was closely policed by Dermot Grogan and didn't get too many opportunities. Key to this situation was the excellence of Philly Larkin's play at centre-back and the huge influence of Barry. Brian McEvoy, too, put his considerable experience to good use through his reading of the game and the sureness of his striking and, in time, an attack whose players were all under the age of 23, began to settle. And the team's free-taker and chief scorer 20-year-old Eoin Larkin began to make his mark, which was an achievement in itself considering the strength of centre-back Thomas Drennan's play. In time, young Larkin would produce some inspired hurling, from play as well as frees, which would see him end the game with 11 points.

Seven minutes from the end of normal time came the first James Stephens goal.

Wing-forward Gary Whelan was the scorer, following Joe Murphy's good work, and it saw then lead 1-8 to 0-6 at half-time. Minutes after DJ Carey failed to goal from a 46th minute free from 25 yards range, Young Irelands were again out of luck when Ollie Carter's kicked effort was forced over the bar by Cantwell. By now, the Village were rampant, leading 1-15 to 0-10 with just eight minutes of normal time left. But, in another two minutes, DJ Carey gave Young Ireland renewed hope with the first of his goals, from a terrific angled shot after Barry gave away the free.

Eoin Larkin responded with a pointed free from 50 yards before Carey got goal number two, this time after Philly Larkin lost the ball. That left just two points between the sides before James Stephens substitute Joe Murray goaled in the 59th minute. With a five points lead and time running out their lead looked secure, but increased pressure from a gallant Young Irelands side won another close-in free. Again, Carey buried the ball in the net. That was a half-minute into injury-time (an extra two minutes), but halfway through the third minute Gowran were awarded a doubtful penalty.

The margin was just two points and few doubted Carey's ability to get a fourth goal. But his shot screamed over the bar.

Scorers: James Stephens E. Larkin 0-11 (0-7 frees); G. Whelan and J. Murray 1-0 each; E. McCormack 0-3; J. Murphy and D. McCormack 0-1 each.

Young Irelands: D.J. Carey (3-6, frees); C. Carter and D. Carter 0-2 each; O. Carter and D. Carroll 0-1 each.

JAMES STEPHENS: F. Cantwell; D. Cody, M. Phelan, D. Grogan; P. Butler, P. Larkin, P. Barry (capt.); J. Tyrrell, B. McEvoy; E. McCormack, E. Larkin, G. Whelan; J. Murphy, R. Hayes, D. McCormack.

Sub: J. Murray for Murphy (53rd minute);

YOUNG IRELANDS: M. Carey; C. Carroll, E. Farrell, C. Fitzgerald; S. Byrne, T. Drennan, D. Phelan; J. McDermott, J. Fitzgerald (capt.); T. Carroll, O. Carter, D. Carroll; C. Carter, D.J. Carey, D. Carter.

Sub: C. Phelan for T. Carroll (second half).

Referee: D. Connolly (Mooncoin).

*Att: 13,000 est.