New York pip London to claim third All-Ireland JFC title on the trot
ON THE MARK: New York's Brian Coughlan. Pic: INPHO/Bryan Keane
Brian Coughlan rose to the occasion again for New York, firing nine points to help secure a three-in-a-row of All-Ireland JFC titles.
Coughlan has featured in all four finals since the junior championship was overhauled in 2022 to cater mainly for overseas units.
He struck the winning point in the 2023 decider but came of age this time, powering Mick Healy's side to a landmark win and a repeat of their 2024 triumph.
Gearoid Kennedy's two two-pointers were crucial too as New York capped a thrilling campaign by holding onto the silverware.
New York needed extra-time to see off USGAA at the new quarter-final stage last month.
And they had to come from behind against Warwickshire in Friday night's semi-final at Abbottstown.
They fell behind early on in the Croke Park decider too as London raced into a four-point lead.
The sides were still level with just two minutes too but late points from Lorcan Kennedy and sub Emmet Loughran nudged New York to victory again.
Loughran's score left New York two points clear at that stage but London almost grabbed a match winning goal at the death, the ball bouncing over the bar.
Boss Healy hailed Coughlan's huge influence for New York as they matched the hurlers' Lory Meagher Cup success at Croke Park in May.
"Brian has been an incredible servant for us," said Westmeath man Healy. "He's a player who is right on the edge of being a senior player for New York and probably would be there only for he's playing soccer in college.
"It would be hard to make that sort of commitment when he's five hours away from the training sessions so we're lucky, we're happy to have him come with us in the juniors.
"But he's more than capable of being a starter in the senior team for New York every year and I think he showed that again."
Coughlan fired seven first-half points to leave New York 0-12 to 1-7 up at half-time - but All-Britain champions London had the wind after the break.
And with Ali Carney netting for the second game in a row, and Noel Maher drilling his sixth two-pointer of the weekend, they got it back to level terms twice in the second-half.
The Kennedy and Loughran scores were the insurance points for New York late on.
B Coughlan 0-9 (1 tpf, 2 frees, 2 45's); G Kennedy 0-4 (2 tp); E Loughran 0-2; D Corridan, I Kavanagh, G Lee, J Healy, L Kennedy 0-1 each.
C Redican 1-3 (0-3 frees); N Maher 0-4 (2 tp); A Carney 1-0; C Doyle 0-2 (tp); C Morris, E McGivney, S Hickey, R O'Connell 0-1 each.
: P Guerin; P Mathers, D Curran, R O'Riordan; I Kavanagh, K Rafferty, A Traynor; G Kennedy, C Mathers; L Kennedy, J Healy, G Lee; R Melly, B Coughlan, D Corridan.
Subs: E Loughran for Melly (h/t); C Shalvey for Lee (38); J Donovan for C Mathers (42); E Kennedy for Corridan (53); C Mulvihill for G Kennedy (60).
: C Doyle; J Power, P O'Connor, E Reilly; E McGivney, R McCready, D Byrne; N Maher, C Redican; M Joyce, C Morris, M Tierney; R Kearney, S Hickey, A Carney.
Subs: K Clarke for Morris (h/t); B Rice for Joyce (37); R O'Connell for Kearney & M English for McGivney (48); J Cawley for Maher (53).
: S Mulhare (Laois).
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