Killeagh end 29-year wait for east Cork glory in stunning fashion
AT LONG LAST: Killeagh celebrate capturing the East Cork Junior A Hurling Championship. Pic: Howard Crowdy
Killeagh’s 29-year wait for east Cork glory is over – and what a way to end it.
A thrilling battle between the sides, Carraig na bhFear and Killeagh served up a memorable east Cork final in Castlemartyr on Sunday.
Their replay was nip and tuck all the way through, with no more than four points separating the sides at any juncture.
Carraig led by three with 14 minutes to go, but Killeagh minor Sean Meade came to the rescue for the second time in a week.
A stunning solo effort – he held off three Carraig defenders as he surged towards goal.
His initial strike was hooked, but it didn’t matter. He pulled. The ball rolled in, the roar from the Killeagh crowd told all. Momentum, Killeagh.
Cork U20 cousins Ben and Barry Walsh combined – with the latter pointing to nudge Killeagh ahead by the minimum.
It was their first time leading since the 28th minute.
One point remained the difference, until scores from Barry Walsh and Meade proved crucial moving into the red. A three-point margin, added time to go.
Star forward Billy Connolly cut the lead to two, but Killeagh’s defence made sure that would be it. There would be no two-in-a-row. Killeagh did it.
It was outstanding from start to finish. Carraig twice tested Fionn Murphy in the opening 11 minutes, but two crucial saves meant the teams remained deadlocked at 0-2 each.
Killeagh were the first to pull ahead, with scores from Meade, Keane Budds and two from Barry Walsh making it 0-6 to 0-2 after 18 minutes, but Carraig’s response was supreme.
They hit their opponents for 2-5 in the remaining 12 minutes, with the excellent Aaron Dorgan assisting Sean O’Donoghue for both goals.
The first arrived after 25 minutes, as O’Donoghue got his strike away under pressure, before the corner-forward made use of a second long ball in from Aaron Dorgan, as he knocked it into the net four minutes after the first green flag.
Dorgan’s outstanding display at centre-back complimented by Timmy Geaney on the flank ensured Carraig led by two at the break, but as they did last weekend – Killeagh would fight back once more.
Last year’s champions showed intent on the resumption as Evan Flynn and Connolly both hit the target, moving them four in front after 32 minutes.Â
It looked like they might be too strong, even with five changes from last week’s starting 15.
But there was another swing to come.
Killeagh grabbed a much-needed goal a minute later as Ben Walsh blocked down Adam Buckley’s clearance, and the ball hit the back of the net.
But with the lead reduced to one Carraig didn’t panic – at least not until the second goal.
41 minutes elapsed Carraig na bhFear had stretched their lead back to three points – an advantage they held until Meade’s goal at the beginning of the fourth quarter, which turned the game on its head.
Barry Walsh 0-12 (0-9 frees), S Meade 1-2, Ben Walsh 1-1, K Budds, J Fogarty, D Motherway 0-1 each.
S O’Donoghue 2-0, B Connolly 0-5, O Crowley (3 frees), E Flynn 0-3 each, P Sheehan, A Dorgan, J Forde, T Geaney, J Ahern 0-1 each.
F Murphy; D O’Brien, G Walsh Wallace, P Leahy; A Morrison, C Fitzgibbon, R Treacy; Ben Walsh, M Fitzgerald; J Fogarty, K Budds, D Motherway; Barry Walsh, D Kelleher, S Meade.Â
M Murphy for Motherway (35), D Landers for Kelleher (46), P Mackie for Budds (53).
A Buckley; T O’Donoghue, F Murphy, P Geaney; M Ahern, A Dorgan, T Geaney; John Forde, C Hayes; B Connolly, E Flynn, J Ahern; P Sheehan, S O’Donoghue, O Crowley.Â
James Forde for Crowley (49), C Murphy for Hayes (53), D Foley for O’Donoghue (59).
Pa Beausang (Midleton)
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