Rower rally to land intermediate title

A fast start and strong finish helped the Rower-Inistioge land a coveted intermediate hurling championship title.

The Rower went on the charge on at either end of the game as they got the better of Emeralds (Urlingford) in a tense county final by a narrow margin (2-13 to 2-11).

Inistioge hit the ground running and blasted a swift 1-2 past the Emeralds, Sean Grace grabbing the goal that stunned their rivals.

Urlingford’s response was gradual, but led by a rampant Aidan Fogarty - he hit a whopping 2-5 - they drew level before taking the lead for the first time through sub Jamie Ryan with five minutes to play (2-10 to 2-9).

That laid the challenge as the Rower’s feet, but they hit right back. Captain Michael Grace levelled matters with a free, then did the same again after Francis Clohessy nabbed another Emeralds point.

The game was in the melting pot as injury-time loomed, but the Rower held their nerve - a Grace 65, followed by insurance point from James Cassin, gave them the title and a place in the senior hurling ranks for 2014.

SCORERS: Rower-Inistioge - Ciaran Ryan (1-2); Michael Grace (0-4, 0-3 frees, 0-1 65); Sean Grace (1-0); Cathal Bolger (0-3); Kieran Joyce (0-1, free); Tom Murphy, James Cassin, Ruairi Galavan (0-1 each). Emeralds - Aidan Fogarty (2-5, 2-4 frees); Joe Doheny, Padraig Phelan, Francis Clohessy, Alan Guilfoyle, Conor Martin, Jamie Ryan (0-1 each).