High fives all round as sturdy Stradbally retain title

Stradbally 1-8 Nire 1-4

It was a hard-earned but deserved replay victory over the Nire.

However, the latter almost monopolised possession for much of the second half without it being reflected on the scoreboard and then, with extra time looming, it was the champions who carried the day with a Niall Curran pointed free and a last gasp fisted goal by captain John Hearne.