Junior B Hurling Final- Doyle goal brings title bliss for Barrow

A late Ciaran Doyle goal helped Barrow Rangers (Paulstown-Goresbridge) get the better a stubborn Tullogher-Rosbercon and get their hands on the Junior B title.

There were three minutes of normal time left when Doyle struck what proved to be the winner, doubling on a high ball into the square from a long range free.

The goal helped Rangers finally turn the game their way. Tullogher had been smartly out of the blocks with a pointed free from Brian Walsh, and a Jason Shiely point pushing them ahead.

Jimmy Kane got Rangers off the mark on five minutes, but Ryan Murphy and Brian Walsh (free) sent Tullogher 0-4 to 0-1 in front. Rangers rallied; two points from Cathal Purcell from frees, sandwiched a Conor Hanlon long range free, to level things at 0-4 each.

Tullogher picked up the pace after that, going ahead with scores from Pat Hartley (free), Davy Walsh and a Walsh (free). Although Noah Scully reduced the deficit Tullogher trooped in 0-7 to 0-5 in front at the break.

The action resumed with Cathal Purcell and Brian Walsh (free) exchanging scores. Rangers were starting to take control of the game in the summer-like heat and, in a three minute spell, recorded points from Jimmy Kane, Brian Kelly and Noah Scully (0-9 to 0-8).

Tullogher equalised from a Marty Murphy point, but Cathal Purcell had the Paulstown-Goresbridge men one up again on 40 minutes.

Then, in the 41st minute, Tullogher got a goal that turned things their way, Murphy hitting the net from close range. Now 1-9 to 0-10 ahead, when this was followed by a further score from a placed ball (1-10 to 0-10) it looked like the cup was heading to South Kilkenny.

Rangers were not finished however, and three pointed scores to one from Murphy (TR), replied by Purcell, Kane and Hanlon for Paulstown meant the contest was far from over. Tom Brennan (BR) and Shiely (free) exchanged scores (1-12 to 0-14), before Doyle fired home the decisive goal.

With the lead in their possession, Rangers were determined not to lose it. Keith Flavin added a point, pushing the gap out to three, and while Tullogher pulled a point back, one final score from Cathal Purcell ensured the spoils were heading the Barrow boys’ way.

Teams and scorers

Barrow Rangers - Richie Doyle; Paul Delaney, Evan Rudy, James Hogan; Killian Rudkins, Timmy Brennan, Noel Doheny; Cathal Purcell (0-6, 0-4 frees), Conor Hanlon (0-2, 0-1 free); Mikey Doyle (captain), Jimmy Kane (0-3), Paddy Hennessy; Keith Flavin (0-1), Brian Kelly (0-1), Noah Scully (0-2).

Subs: Tom Brennan (0-1), Mikey Ryan, Ciaran Doyle (1-0), Joey McEvoy, Dylan Hunston.

Tullogher-Rosbercon - Eoin Ryan; Tony Conway, Richie Gill, JJ Ryan; Jamie Lyng, Pat Hartley (0-1), Cathal Mooney; Billy Ryan, Brian O’Shea; Jason Shiely (captain, 0-2), Michael Hanrick (0-1), Niall Mooney; Ryan Murphy (0-1), Davy Walsh (0-1), Brian Walsh (0-5).

Sub: Marty Murphy (1-2).

Referee - Andy Stafeckis (O’Loughlin Gaels).