Lachtain’s defensive knowhow brings more Croke Park reward
St Lachtain's players Brian Kennedy, left, and Cian Dawson with supporters celebrate after their side's victory in the AIB GAA Hurling All-Ireland Junior Club Championship final match between St Lachtain's of Kilkenny and Russell Rovers of Cork at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile
After the adverse weather, conditions couldn’t have been better in Croke Park on Sunday for St Lachtain’s to claim their first AIB All-Ireland club JHC title following a merited victory over Russell Rovers.
Relegated a couple of years ago, the Kilkenny side were All-Ireland intermediate champions in 2010 and survivors from that team centre-back Brian Kennedy and sub John Fitzpatrick played their part once more.
Kennedy was superb at number six, it was his long delivery towards the danger area that resulted in the only goal of the game.
It arrived in the 22nd minute when Liam Hickey got a touch to the sliotar and the in-running Shane Donnelly collected before firing to the net.
Kennedy was also prepared to take a yellow card for pulling down Brian Hartnett four minutes earlier when the Russell Rovers forward was on his way to goal.
Central to the victory too was former Kilkenny goalkeeper Darren Brennan, who was named man-of-the-match. He made a crucial save from Brian Hartnett midway through the second half, but he was on a lot of ball combining with his defenders when they were under pressure. As well, he scored a magnificent lengthy point - the final score of the match - in the 63rd minute.
“I probably didn’t realise it at the time I was so engrossed in the game. But looking back on it now I’m delighted with that save. The lads out there put the pressure on the man striking the ball and that made the difference for me as well,” he said.
“I think there is great value in being an extra defender, younger lads in our club are starting to use it as well. I think they are seeing the value in it. Look, it’s an extra player, why not use it.
“I knew as well with the pitch in great condition we would get good value out of our puck-outs because the lads are able to win their own high ball. No wind blowing, I could go long, the flags weren’t moving.
“I had full confidence in our lads, maybe the occasion was sinking into our lads in the last 10 minutes, maybe they were worrying about hitting a pass astray. A lot of lads, it was their first time playing in Croke Park and hadn’t been in that environment before. But give them credit, they did see it out.
“And for Brian Kennedy, Johnny Fitz, Noel McGree and Lachtain Kennedy I think they were on the panel in 2010 and it was great to have that know-how.”
The St Lachtain’s defensive quality shone through throughout with the Russell Rovers starting forwards only scoring five from play.
In contrast, their opponents numbered 8-15 bagged 1-14 from play and overall had 12 different scorers.
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 more heartbreak for Russell Rovers, as many of this panel fell to another Kilkenny team, Conahy Shamrocks five years ago.
Shane Donnelly’s first-half goal proved to be the tonic score and it helped the victors to a 1-7 to 0-7 advantage at the interval.
They remained on the front foot in the second half, and just like the first half, the points were tit-for-tat early on.
The Kilkenny and Leinster champions got a grip with some lovely efforts from Shane Donnelly, Cathal Hickey, James Maher and Liam Hickey - the latter showing spectacular skill from a sideline cut - 1-14 to 0-10 with the fourth quarter remaining.
The Freshford club was able to withstand a late fightback from Dave Dorgan’s side.
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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