Comerford leads by example

O'Loughlin Gaels 2-12 Young Irelands 2-10

With less than ten minutes of normal time remaining, Young Irelands led by two clear goals, 2-10 to 0-10, and despite a stiff downfield breeze facing them, were well in control.

Their defence was well on top of what was an impotent O'Loughlin's attack, the full-back trio of Ciaran Carroll, Ciaran Phelan and Eoghan Farrell giving no space at all inside, while centre-back Tom Drennan was supreme, ably flanked by Stephen Byrne and Darragh Phelan.

Big James McDermott was dominant in midfield, and up front DJ Carey was giving a masterclass, with 1-7 off limited possession and the handicap of a suspect hamstring.

Pacy corner-forward Dick Carroll was also on song, while Charlie Carter was everywhere, two second-half points scored at one end, defending well at the other, that defence augmented by James Fitzgerald, the other wing-forward.

So what happened? How did an O'Loughlin's side whose attack had managed just one score from play in the opening 51 minutes, manage to score 2-3 in those final ten minutes, 2-1 of that from play?

First, there was the debilitating leg injury suffered by outstanding Young Irelands midfielder James McDermott in the first half that finally forced him from the fray in the 55th minute; then there was the emergence of O'Loughlin's midfielder Alan Geoghegan, along with another of their inter-county stars, Sean Dowling at wing-back.

Most of all, was that the Herculean effort by O'Loughlin Gaels centre-back and captain Andy Comerford finally began to bear fruit.

While DJ was undoubtedly the scoring star for Young Irelands, his collection of goal and points was the culmination of a fine overall team effort; for O'Loughlin Gaels, for almost the whole of the first half and most of the second, Comerford was hurling Young Irelands almost single-handedly.

Despite having his hands full in his own personal no-quarter battle with Jack Carey, Comerford was immense, sending ball after intelligent ball out of defence. In the 52nd minute, one of those long clearances finally found a friendly hand, the Gaels centre-forward Colin Furling making a mighty grab just outside the square.

"I don't know how it ended up in the net", a delighted Andy admitted afterwards, "but it did, and that was a real boost for us, that set us on the road."

The way it ended in the Gowran net was that Furlong had the presence of mind to pass to Nigel Skehan, and his ground shot to the corner gave Martin Carey no chance.

O'Loughlin Gaels now came at Young Irelands in wave after wave of attack and a defence that had previously reigned supreme finally began to feel the strain. A couple of frees were conceded, both pointed by Skehan to add to the three 65's pointed early in the half.

Not that Young Irelands were throwing in the towel.

A long Ollie Carter centre floating just around the edge of the square had 'DJ goal' written all over it, and the Gowran genius was there too, sitting underneath, looked set to get the vital little touch; O'Loughlin's keeper Kevin Cleere wasn't for waiting, however, left his line, made the leap, the crucial catch, and the clearance.

Given their relentless pressure, an O'Loughlin's goal looked inevitable and when it came, there was no way back for Young Irelands.

A minute into the two signalled for added time, Sean Dowling whipped a fast and wristy centre goalwards, Furlong again made the catch, and this time he parted to midfielder Seamus Cummins, who duly billowed.

Great finish for O'Loughlin Gaels, terrible for Young Irelands who, after weathering an early storm, had led at the break, 1-6 to 0-4, held that lead until that final goal.

Leinster championship action now for the new Kilkenny champions, and the likes of Martin Comerford, Maurice Nolan and Brian Dowling will surely not be as quiet again.

Mention should be made also of the opener, another entertaining tussle with Piltown winning their third county junior title, at the expense of St Patrick's from Ballyragget.

Scorers for O'Loughlin Gaels: N. Skehan 1-7 (0-4 frees 0-3 65's); S. Cummins 1-0; A. Geoghegan 0-2; A. Comerford, S. Dowling, B. Dowling, 0-1 each.

Young Irelands: DJ Carey 1-7 (0-4 frees 0-1 65); D. Carroll 1-1; C. Carter 0-2.

O'LOUGHLIN GAELS: K. Cleere; B. Kelly, B. Hogan, B. Murphy; A. O'Brien, A. Comerford (c), S. Dowling; S. Cummins, A. Geoghegan; M. Comerford, C. Furlong, J. Comerford; M. Nolan, N. Skehan, B. Dowling. Subs: N. Bergin (J. Comerford 50).

YOUNG IRELANDS: M. Carey; C. Carroll, C. Phelan, E. Farrell; S. Byrne, T. Drennan, D. Phelan; J. McDermott, O. Carter; J. Fitzgerald, J. Carey (c), C. Carter; D. Carroll, DJ Carey, D. Carter. Subs: P. Carroll (O. Carter 30), O. Carter (McDermott 55). Blood: M. Carter (C. Phelan 8/12).

Referee: P. Dunphy (Carigeen)

Attendance: 12,000.