Martin Ennis overjoyed as Meath crowned champions after Christy Ring marathon
Exactly three weeks ago, Ennis’s phone was hopping in the aftermath of a Christy Ring Cup final that Meath thought they’d won only to be later informed it was actually a draw and that a replay was required.
A most remarkable episode in hurling history finally came to a conclusion on Saturday evening as Meath prevailed at the second attempt though, typically, it was anything but straight forward.
Like the ‘drawn’ game, Meath had a terrible start, trailing by eight points at half-time, only to come roaring back into the contest and demand a 75th-minute goal of Antrim to force extra-time.
More goals flew in during the extra 20 minutes before the most enthralling of games was finally decided in the 93rd minute by the hurley of Steven Clynch, who had come off the bench to score 1-3.
When the dust settled, both managers agreed that it had been a difficult few weeks. Antrim boss Dominic McKinley said he’d “never seen anything like it in my life”.
Ennis labelled it ‘a bizarre’ period. “It’s been a bizarre couple of weeks and not the fault of Meath or Antrim. Croke Park have got to look at this now, at the whole Christy Ring, Nicky Rackard, and Lory Meagher competitions, give them their proper place.”
“It would have been really, really difficult to take had Antrim beaten us,” admitted Ennis, whose side can look forward to Liam MacCarthy Cup hurling next season. “It was a mental thing moreso than anything else to come back and do it all again.”
Antrim boss Dominic McKinley said his team may have lacked vital quality last night but proved their character in a lion-hearted display.
“I think we answered questions about our fitness and our commitment and all that sort of thing,” said McKinley. “For all the bad slagging that was going on, people shouting in and so on, I think our players performed manly enough.”
J. Toher (0-12, 11 frees); N. Heffernan (2-0), S. Clynch (1-3, 2f); G. McGowan (1-0); A. Gannon, S. Quigley (0-2); S. Morris, J. Keena (0-1).
C. Clarke (two frees, one 65), N. McKenna (1-5 each); C. Johnston (1-2); C. Carson, J. Connolly (1-0 each); D. McKernan (0-2); N. Elliott, E. Campbell, S. McAfee (0-1).
S. McCann; S. Geraghty, R. Sherlock, D. Donoghue; S. Brennan, K. Keoghan, S. Whitty; S. Heavey, S. Morris; J. Keena, D. Healy, A. Gannon; G. McGowan, J. Toher (c), N. Heffernan.
S. Clynch for Brennan (h/t); S. Quigley for Heavey (46); K. Keena for Heffernan (65); M. O’Grady for J Keena (73). J. Keena for O’Grady (83).
E. Gillan; P. Burke, T. McCloskey, S. McCrory; O. McFadden, N. McAuley (c), F. Donnelly; E. Campbell, E. McCloskey; N. McKenna, C. Johnston, S. McAfee; N. Elliott, B. McCarry, C. Clarke.
PJ O’Connell for Elliott (40); D. McKernan for McCarry (50); J. Connolly for T McCloskey (56); D. Hamill for McKenna (70). McKenna for Johnston (h/t e/t); J. Dillon for O’Connell (92).
C. McAllister (Cork).
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