Murphy’s controversial goal the difference for Mount Leinster Rangers

MOUNT Leinster Rangers captain Sean Michael Murphy scored a clever, controversial and ultimately a winning 55th-minute goal as the Borris side retained their Carlow SHC title with victory over south county neighbours St Mullins at Dr Cullen Park yesterday.

Murphy was some 25 metres from the St Mullins goal and well out to the left when a ball delivered from outfield by colleague Edward Coady hopped kindly for him.

The Rangers No 15 connected with the ball on the first hop, handball style, to send the sliotar bouncing into the St Mullins net.

The controversy centred on whether a ball can be hand-passed to the net in any circumstances.

In any event the score stood and Rangers retained the title, having struggling for many years to make their championship breakthrough in 2006.

The sides were tied 0-6 each at half -time, with Pat Coady keeping the Saints in the game with some fine point-scoring.

St Mullins led for the only time when left full-forward Paudie Kehoe scored a fine 39th-minute goal to put them 1-6 to 0-8 in front.

But Rangers, with Garry Doyle, Edward Coady and Willie Hickey outstanding, kept plugging away and they had edged 0-10 to 1-6 ahead before skipper Murphy settled the issue with his quick-thinking goal.

An attendance of 3,000 saw a closely contested final in which endeavour compensated for lack of hurling skill.

Scorers: Mount Leinster Rangers: SM Murphy 1-4, 0-3 frees, 0-1 ‘65, W Hickey 0-3, M Ralph, E Coady and D Murphy 0-1 each. St Mullins: P Coady 0-5, 0-3 frees, 0-1 ‘65, P Kehoe 1-0, J Murphy, D Murphy and D Doyle 0-1 each.

Referee: J Conway (Laois).