Diarmuid Wall fires Glen Rovers to victory over Sars in thrilling Premier 1 minor hurling final
The Glen Rovers team celebrate their victory over Sarsfields in the Rebel Óg Premier 1 Hurling Championship final at Páirc Uí Rinn, Cork. Picture Dan Linehan
An action-packed Rebel Óg Premier 1 minor hurling championship final eventually went the way of Glen Rovers at Páirc Uí Rinn on Monday night, but only by the narrowest of margins.
The Blackpool side retained the title after a ferocious battle with Sarsfields, the Riverstown club who were looking to add to their U16 win last week over the same opposition.
There was drama aplenty right down to the final play when Sars were awarded a free from distance but it tailed wide.
The Glen, who triumphed in an enthralling semi-final with Midleton when they came from 10 points down to win by five, just about saw this one out, much to the delight of their supporters who were part of a huge crowd that meant the start time was delayed by 10 minutes.
Sars went three ahead 3-13 to 1-16 with five minutes left to play, but a brave Diarmuid Wall goal from a free levelled, the captain finished with 2-6. The Glen then went two up twice, a late Adam Dunlea free brought it back to one, and that was that.
It was the Sarsfields free-taker Adam Dunlea who slotted the opening point in the second minute after captain Barry O’Flynn was fouled. It kick-started a good opening period for the east Cork side with the same player adding a brace to establish a three points to one lead after nine minutes.
Slowly the momentum switched to the Glen and they went on to hold a 0-7 to 0-3 advantage with skipper Diarmuid Wall, Michael T Brosnan, Josh Brosnan and Gavin O’Callaghan doing most of the damage.
Sarsfields were badly in need of a flag, having not registered since the ninth minute, and it was Barry O’Flynn who did the needful, followed by Harry Cogan to reduce the gap to two with eight minutes remaining.
The gap was further lessened through sub Tom O’Flynn and Dunlea, 0-8 to 0-7, but the Glen finished strong for an interval lead of 0-10 to 0-7.
Barry O’Flynn goaled after the restart, and it was game-on.
A wondrous green flag from Diarmuid Wall in the 38th minute put the Glen in the ascendancy, after referee Mark Maher waved advantage to the number 11, 1-13 to 1-8.
Midway through the half, and in keeping with the ding-dong battle being served up, Sars sub Cullen Condon - just on the field - netted, and what followed was a rip-roaring finish.
Sarsfields took over the scoreboard with 1-4 in a devastating eight minute spell, Harry Cogan linked with skipper Barry O’Flynn to fire their third goal, 3-13 to 1-16 and go ahead by three.
In a dramatic finale, the Glen were rescued through Wall’s goal and a couple of glorious points from Michael T Brosnan (0-6) and Conor McCarthy. (0-3).
It sparked huge celebrations and the traditional rendition of ‘The Night the Goat Broke Loose on Grand Parade’.
D Wall (2-6, 1-3 frees, 0-3 65s), M T Brosnan (0-6), C McCarthy (0-1 free) and G O’Callaghan (0-3 each), Josh Brosnan (0-1).
A Dunlea (0-9, 0-7 frees, 0-1 65), B O’Flynn and H Cogan (1-1 each), C Condon (1-0), F O’Connor (0-2), B Galvin and T O’Flynn (0-1 each).
J Goulding; M Gayfer, K Cronin, O O’Connell; C Connolly, C McCarthy, J Murphy; Josh Brosnan, Jake Brosnan; J O’Sullivan, D Wall (Capt), G O’Callaghan; E McGuckin, C Walsh, M T Brosnan.
J O’Mahony for E McGuckin (46), C Burke for G O’Callaghan (56).
J Austin; J McMahon, R Barry, J Tierney; R Higgins, J Huggins, C Quirke; S Bracken, B Galvin; A Dunlea, H Cogan, R McCarthy; C Austin, B O’Flynn (Capt), D O’Donovan.
T O’Flynn for R McCarthy (27), C Condon for B Galvin (40), B Galvin for D O’Donovan (41), F O’Connor for C Austin (50).
Mark Maher (St Finbarr’s).
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