St Lachtain’s defeat Russell Rovers to land first All-Ireland club junior hurling title
CHAMPIONS: St Lachtain's captain Criomthann Bergin lifts the cup. Pic: ©INPHO/Tom Maher
St Lachtain’s claimed their first AIB All-Ireland club junior hurling championship title in Croke Park on Sunday, adding to an All-Ireland intermediate honours from 15 years ago.
Having been relegated a couple of years ago, they were full value for the win.
Centre-back Brian Kennedy, who was immense, and John Fitzpatrick introduced as a sub, provided the link to that victorious Freshford team in 2010.
Their manager Steven Farrell and selectors Bill Beckett and Robbie Dowling were also involved back then.
This latest result means a 12th title for Kilkenny clubs who are now six ahead of Cork in a competition which is dominated by these two counties.
It was a tough outcome for Russell Rovers, with many of this panel falling to another Kilkenny team, Conahy Shamrocks five years ago.
Shane Donnelly’s first-half goal was a tonic score for the victors, the only goal of the game and it was crucial, it helped them to a 1-7 to 0-7 advantage at the interval.
They pushed on in the second half, despite a late fightback from Dave Dorgan’s side.
Just a minute in Josh Beausang opened the scoring for Russell Rovers from a free after St Lachtain’s were penalised for over carrying.
Alexander Rafter replied from play following a positive result from Hawk-Eye. It was tit-for-tat for the next 12 minutes, 0-3 apiece.
Apparent too that both teams were fully focused on the job, despite a couple of early wides for St Lachtain’s.
A possible goal chance too for the Kilkenny side, nevertheless they continued to show their intent going on to strike 1-2 from play without reply - the green flag was a thing of beauty in the 22nd minute when a long ball was released by centre-back Brian Kennedy, Liam Hickey got a touch to it and the in-running Shane Donnelly (one of four brothers on the panel) collected and crashed the sliotar to the roof of the net.
Kennedy was tremendous in the half-back line.
Meanwhile, Russell Rovers went 15 minutes without a score, albeit Brennan taking a yellow card for pulling down Brian Hartnett on route to goal and a Beausang free coming back off the upright.
They needed something, and captain Ciarán Sheehan provided the inspiration, pointing in the 24th minute, 1-5 to 0-4.
They finished with Beausang, and the two wing-backs James Kennefick and Fintan Murray raising white flags.
St Lachtain’s response was from James Maher and Mark Donnelly to leave their side 1-7 to 0-7 up.
Kennedy got the first point of the second half, and similar to the first, it was point for point in a hectic six minutes of non-stop action, 1-10 to 0-10. The 10th point from Liam Hickey was St Lachtain’s first from a placed ball.
The wides were building for St Lachtain’s, yet it didn’t halt their progress, taking over for the next 10 minutes with a run of points from Shane Donnelly, Cathal Hickey, Liam Hickey and Shane Maher (son of former Kilkenny camogie winner Gillian Maher and grandson of Pa Dillon).
Liam Hickey’s score came from a splendid sideline cut.
In the meantime St Lactain’s goalkeeper Darren Brennan showed fantastic skill to save a kicked effort from Brian Hartnett in the 43rd minute.
With the fourth quarter left to play, they were in control, 1-14 to 0-10.
The Kilkenny and Leinster champions had made their move.
They had another goal scoring chance, this time Ross Walsh was equal to the challenge.
St Lachtain’s managed to keep their distance, 1-16 to 0-12 and 10 minutes remaining.
However, they had to sweat the final few moments as Russell Rovers rallied through unanswered points from Luke Duggan Murray (2) and two Beausang frees to close the gap to three points.
The clock was in the red though, and in the 62nd and 63rd minutes points from Darragh Maher and a massive free from ‘keeper Brennan, who was chosen as man-of-the-match, saw it out.
S Donnelly (1-1), L Hickey (0-1 free, 0-1 sl) and A Rafter (0-3 each), C Hickey and J Maher (0-2 each), B Kennedy, B Quinn, M Donnelly, P Killeen, D Brennan (free), D Maher and C O’Leary (0-1 each).
J Beausang (0-8, 0-6 frees, 0-1 65), L Duggan Murray (0-2), J Kennefick, F Murray, K Moynihan, C Sheehan, J McGrath and M O’Dwyer (0-1 each).
D Brennan; S Rafter, C Bergin (Capt), S Dawson; P Donnelly, B Kennedy, C Hickey; B Quinn, M Donnelly; A Rafter, P Killeen, C O’Leary; S Donnelly, J Maher, L Hickey.
D Maher for C O’Leary (51), J Fitzpatrick for J Maher (52), C Dawson for S Donnelly (57), J Bergin for A Rafter (62).
R Walsh; E O’Sullivan, P Cummins, K Tattan; F Murray, P Lane, J Kennefick; K Walsh, R Cummins; L Duggan Murray, K Moynihan, D Ruddy; B Hartnett, C Sheehan (Capt), J Beausang.
M O’Dwyer for P Lane (28 inj), J McGrath for D Ruddy (half-time), K O’Brien for K Moynihan (57).
Peter Owens (Down).
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