Carrigaline claim historic cup win

Carrigaline CS 2-8 Abbey CBS (Tipp Town) 2-4

As well as picking up their first title at this level, victory also gives them entry in the Harty Cup for the next two seasons.

Backed by 14 players from the local club - Ballygarvan's Stephen White was the odd man out - Carrig deserved their victory, but could easily have blown it after shooting 19 wides over the hour.

On a near perfect pitch, the standard of hurling was well above the usual at this grade and the winners might not be out of their depth in the Harty Cup.

Centre-forward Stephen White led by example for Carrigaline. He recently won a county junior medal with Ballygarvan and is in line for a Munster medal next Sunday should the Cork side beat Tramore in the provincial decider.

Midfielder Joseph Moran was another to make a major contribution, while goalkeeper Shane Barry, and defenders Peter O'Mahony, Patrick Donnellan and Conor Hurley were seldom beaten.

The Abbey contributed enormously to this marvellous clash and it was through no fault of Brian Jones, Rhodie O'Dwyer, Pauric O'Dwyer and Shane Egan that they failed to regain a title they last won in 1995.

Carrig got off to the perfect start and led by two points after three minutes, but then proceeded to hit 15 wides and their half-time lead of 0-4 to 0-2 didn't look good enough as they turned to play against the wind.

The Abbey were level four minutes into the second-half, and they were still tied after 40 minutes after Shane Egan and Ivan Ward scored a goal each in quick succession.

Carrig, with Moran and White in outstanding form, finally struck for home when Tony Murphy touched home White's cross. The pace of the game was unrelenting as the Tipp side came in search of a goal. After they switched full-back Ian Bourke to attack, he was denied a goal by another magnificent save by Carrig 'keeper Barry. However, the rebound came back to Pauric O'Dwyer, who first-timed the sliothar to the net.

The pressure mounted on the Carrig defence, but they held firm and two late points by Tony Murphy and Joseph Moran sealed a famous victory for the Cork side.

Scorers: Carrigaline: T. Murphy 1-2; I. Ward 1-0; S. O'Brien, J. Moran (0-1 free) 0-2 each; S. White, P. Campbell 0-1 each. Abbey CBS: P. O'Dwyer 1-3 (0-1 free); S. Egan 1-1.

CARRIGALINE: S. Barry; P. O'Mahony, P. Donnellan, M. Williamson; J. Cowhig, C. Hurley, R. Foley; P. Ronayne, J. Moran; T. Murphy, S. White, E. O'Sullivan; S. O'Brien, I. Ward, P. Campbell. Sub. D. O'Regan for Ward.

ABBEY CBS: T. Fahey; S. Whelan, I. Bourke, S. Spillane; S. Martin, B. Jones, F. Cussen; R. O'Dwyer, E. Fitzgibbon; M. Fitzgerald, D. Quirke, P. O'Dwyer; J. Mulhair, S. Walsh, S. Egan.

Referee: M. Condon (Waterford).