Abbey battle back to clinch title

Abbey CBS 2-6 Clonmel CBS 0-9

In a devastating final quarter, Abbey clawed back before taking victory.

Inspired by centre forward Sean Carey, Clonmel, dominate the opening spell. Carey was the only scorer for his side as Clonmel led 0-6 to 0-2 at the break, with Abbey in serious trouble.

And when rampant Clonmel hit three unanswered points soon after, it seemed the game was over.

But they didn’t score again. Full forward Shane Egan led the Abbey comeback with a goal in the 46th minute before substitute Padraic O’Dwyer set up wing forward and team captain Daniel Quirke for the equalising goal.

Abbey were then on a roll and three glorious points from O’Brien (2) and David Enright powered them home.

Scorers for Abbey CBS: S. Egan 1-1; D. Quirke 1-0; B. O’Brien 0-4 (0-3 from frees); D. Enright 0-1.

Scorers for Clonmel CBS: S. Carey 0-7 (0-5 from frees); A. Ward and P. Denn 0-1 each.

ABBEY CBS: G. Peters; F. Cussen, J. Mulhair, M. O’Sullivan; S. Mullins, C. McDonald, S. Martin; I. Bourke, D. Enright; D. Quirke, D. Lowry, F. McNamara; B. O’Brien, S. Egan, T. Fahy. Subs: P. O’Dwyer for McNamara; E. Fitzgibbon for Fahy.

CLONMEL CBS: C. Hendrick; D. O’Sullivan, L. Ryan, L. Moore; C. Lorrigan, D. Lynch, P. Hickey; A. Lonergan, P. Denn; G. Carroll, S. Carey, D. McGrath; A. Ward, S. Lawlor, D. Lonergan.

Subs: M. Kennedy for Ward; C. Breathnach for Carroll.

Referee: M. Condon (Waterford).