Carrick withstand Cluainín fightback to land 38th Leitrim senior hurling title

Conor Beirne's tally of 1-2 proved to be decisive in Drumshanbo on Saturday afternoon.

CHAMPIONS: Carrick claimed their 38th Leitrim senior hurling title. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Leitrim SHC Final

Carrick Hurling 1–18 Cluainín Iomáint 2-13

After what was a titanic battle, a brave Cluainín side lost out narrowly to Carrick in an exciting Leitrim hurling final at Drumshanbo where the never say die Carrick men claimed their 38th county title.

Cluainín drew first blood when Gavin O'Hagan converted a third minute free but Conor Beirne levelled for Carrick within the space of another two minutes. Sean O'Riordan edged Carrick ahead with a seventh minute point but O'Hagan made it even again when converting his second place ball on the nine minute mark.

Carrick then pulled ahead with points from Dhani Keane and Conor Hackett but a Niall McLoughlin point for Cluainín kept his side right on their opponents heels at the end of the first quarter.

After that Carrick got on top and forced Cluainín to play second fiddle for the remainder of the opening half. Well taken points in this period by by Dhani Keane, Conor Hackett, Diarmuid Kelleher and Stephen Goldrick kept Carrick in the driving seat while a Gavin O'Hagan score from play and his third converted free kept Cluainín in the hunt.

At the break Carrick led by 0–10 to 0–5. After the restart a 32nd minute Conor Beirne goal stretched the Carrick men's advantage to eight points. Cluainín struggled somewhat in the third quarter and found it difficult to close the gap on their opponents.

However in this period, Cluainín responded through Gavin O'Hagan (free), Cian McManus and Dylan McDermott to keep their side in the hunt. A Dylan McDermott 40th minute goal brought Cluainín back in contention when he cut the deficit to Carrick to just four points.

Sub Gary Hickey gave the Cluainín's fight back a big shot in the arm when he netted nine minutes later to reduce Carrick's lead to two points. After that Carrick upped their game and held out for the win thanks to well hit points by Sean O'Riordan, Conor Beirne and Chris Flanagan.

Even though Cluainín finished strongly with two Gavin O'Hagan points from placed balls and one from a '65' conversion plus a Sean Markham point, they couldn't turn the tables on the more resilient Carrick side.

Scorers for Carrick Hurling: C Flanagan (0–8, 5f); C Beirne (1–2); D Keane, S O'Riordan and D Kelleher (0–2 each); C Hackett and S Goldrick (0–1 each).

Scorers for Cluainín Iomáint: G O' Hagan (0–8, 5f,1 65'); D McDermott (1–2); G Hickey (1–0), N McLoughlin, C McManus, and S Markham (0–1 each).

Carrick Hurling: L Donnellan; T McNabola, P Lenehan, P Kenny; N Crowe, A Gavigan, S Crowe; C Hackett; S Keane, D Keane, C Flanagan, S O' Riordan; J McNabola, S Goldrick, C Beirne, D Kelleher.

Subs: C O'Brien for S Keane (44); C Lyons for D Keane (51); A Glancy for S Keane (52).

Cluainín Iomáint: P Boyle; M McHugh, K Clerkin, A Mackin; D Byrne, A McDermott, C McManus; M Feeney, J Rooney; S Markham, M O'Brien, N McLoughlin; O Gurn, D. McDermott, G O'Hagan.

Subs: K McLoughlin for Byrne (18); G Hickey for McLoughlin (45); D Gilligan Markham (54).

Referee: J Judge (Roscommon).