Kinsella stars as Old Leighlin edge Tinryland

OLD LEIGHLIN won the Conlon Cup for the third time before 4,000 spectators at Dr Cullen Park yesterday.

Tinryland, seeking a 16th title, were thrown a lifeline in injury-time when Evan Doyle’s goal cut the lead to a point. They fought for a leveller but fell just short.

Old Leighlin led 1-3 to 0-2 at the interval, the goal coming from star man Seamus Kinsella. The holders were denied a second on half-time through a superb double save from county senior goalie Trevor O’Reilly.

Paul Broderick and Seamus Kinsella traded early second-half points before Tinryland drew level through a Doyle point.

But Old Leighlin reeled off four points from Kinsella (two), Cathal Coughlan and wing back David Dowling before Doyle found the net.

Scorers for Old Leighlin: Seamus Kinsella 1-5 (2fs), C Coughlan 0-2, (1f), D Dowling 0-1.

Scorers for Tinryland: P Broderick 0-4 (2fs, 1 45), E Doyle 1-1 (1f), G Morrissey, D Moran 0-1 each.

OLD LEIGHLIN: J Clarke; R Burke, Michael Patrick Meaney, G Hickey; D Dowling, J Hayden, E Fitzgerald; P Hickey, M Brennan; D Kelly, C Coughlan, D Bambrick; Michael Philip Meaney, H Gahan, Seamus Kinsella. Sub: Seán Kinsella for Dowling (inj. 58).

TINRYLAND: T O’Reilly; J Sutton, C Byrne, JP Moore; D Moran, S Redmond, N Barrett; K Jackson, C Moore; G Doyle, P Townsend, G Morrissey; P Broderick, E Doyle, C Walshe. Subs: P Doran for Jackson (inj. 30), P Doyle for Morrissey (40), P Delaney for Barrett (55).

Referee: J Hickey (Fenagh).