Barrow Rangers end long wait to win Kilkenny junior hurling title

Barrow Rangers won a first Kilkenny junior hurling crown in some 35 years when they forced an extra-time success over O'Loughlin Gaels in UPMC Nowlan Park.

For the third game in a row, the Paulstown-Goresbridge outfit were forced into extra-time but like against Emeralds and Galmoy, they weren't to be foud wanting as they battled to a two point success.

Joe Healy and Cathal English got the goals for the winners but it was a contest that went right to the wire with a last gasp O'Loughlin's goal by Sammy Johnston ruled out for a square ball.

LISTEN: Kilkenny Senior County Final Preview - Michael Fennelly, Mark Dowling, Andy Comerford and more

Barrow Rangers came into the game as underdogs and despite playing against the wind, they led at the break on a 0-10 to 0-6 scoreline with their full-forward line of Shane McDonald, Jack Kelly and Joe Healy contributing six points from play between them.

The outlook got even better for the winners when top-scorer Healy found the net within 15 seconds of the restart and with seven points seperating the teams, the side in blue and white looked in full control.

O'Loughlin's were badly in need of some inspiration and a 36th minute goal from Paddy Butler certainly got them going and when Ryan Poyntz flicked a long distance Ruarc Sweeney past Richie Doyle just four minutes later, it was all to play for with just the minimum between the teams.

The city side then got level on two occasions but Barrow Rangers still maintained the advantage through points via Kieran O'Neill, Jack Kelly and Joe Healy.

O'Loughlin's looked to have done the ultimate smash and grab when Kevin Murphy goaled at the city end with five minutes left but the Rangers refused to give in.

Four points on the trot with three arriving from Healy and Cathal Purcell also getting in on the act left them a point clear though they couldn't hold on with Ruarc Sweeney landing the equalising free.

The game went to extra-time as a result and Barrow Rangers landed the initiative when a Kieran O'Neill free was finished for a goal and while the umpires immediately awarded the major, O'Loughlin's were fully sure the sliotar never crossed the line.

The goal was ultimately awarded and when Kelly and Healy added to the Barow Rangers scorecard, they led 2-22 to 3-15 going down the stretch.

Points from Jack Sheridan and Ruarc Sweeney left the very perilous two points between them and O'Loughlin's thought they'd snatched a late win with Johnston's late effort but it wasn't to be as Barrow Rangers deservedly held out for a famous success.

SENIOR COUNTY FINAL PREVIEW BELOW:

Teams and Scorers

Barrow Rangers- Joe Healy (1-11, 6fs); Jack Kelly (0-5); Cathal English (1-0); Shane McDonald (0-2); Kieran O'Neill (0-2, 2fs); Cathal Purcell (0-1)

O'Loughlin Gaels- Ruarc Sweeney (0-6, 6fs); Paddy Butler (1-3); Kevin Murphy (1-2); Ryan Poyntz (1-1); Oisin Murphy (0-2); Jack Sheridan, Alex Sheridan (0-1 each); Sam Johnston (0-1, 1f)

Barrow Rangers- Richie Doyle; Paul Delaney, Darragh O'Connor, Kevin Brennan; Patrick Purcell, Kieran O'Neill, Noah Scully; Gary Hill, Marc Drennan; Mikey Doyle, Billy Hanlon, Keith Flavin; Shane McDonald, Jack Kelly, Joe Healy.

Subs: Cathal Purcell for Flavin, 40 mins; Killian Rudkins for Scully, 44 mins; Conor Hanlon for Hill, 57 mins; Cathal English for B.Hanlon, 67 mins; Timmy Brennan for McDonald, 80 mins.

O'Loughlin Gaels- Declan Murphy; Jack Lawlor, Jamie Young, Evan Walsh; Barry Lawlor, Gary Bryan, Ruaidhri Galwey; Oisin Murphy, Sam Johnston; Paddy Butler, Alex Sheridan, Alex Molloy; Jack Sheridan, Kevin Murphy, Ryan Poyntz. 

Subs: Ruarc Sweeney for J.Sheridan, h-t; Eoghan O'Brien for Molloy, 55 mins; John McNamara for Poyntz, 59 mins; Jack Sheridan for Young, 76 mins.

Referee- Michael O'Sullivan (Shamrocks Ballyhale)