Emeralds battle hard for victory in Under 21 E Hurling Final

The conditions were tough, but the determination of the Emeralds (Urlingford) shone through as they fought their way to the under-21 Roinn E spoils.

Opponents the Blacks & Whites (Skeough) were first out of the blocks, opening a 0-3 to 0-0 lead through Ryan Murphy (frees) and Sam Byrne before Darragh Queally (free) got the Emeralds on the board. They kicked on from here, drawing level through Queally and Alex Burke. Both Darragh Queally (2) and Ryan Murphy (1) kept the scoreboard ticking over as they pointed from placed balls.

In the 28th minute, Seanán Doyle struck a lineball across field to the unmarked Jason Byrne who put it between the posts. Emeralds closed out the half with points from captain Adam Barnaville and Queally (free) to give their side a two point lead at the break (0-7 to 0-5).

Blacks & Whites opened the second half scoring through Louis Brennan before Darragh Queally and Ryan Murphy were again called upon to convert frees. With the wind making life tough, Killian Doyle made it look easy as he skilfully struck over his shoulder and the ball sailed over the bar.

Both teams went hunting for goals and, in the space of five minutes, both ’keepers were tested. Ben Savage pulled off two great saves, one from the penalty spot. Darragh Queally converted one of the resulting 65s, but a super point from Daire Murphy kept the Blacks & Whites men within sight.

However, Emeralds scored the next four points in a row, two from Darragh Queally placed balls and one each from Alex Burke and Adam Barnaville.

With five minutes remaining, the Emeralds men had stretched their lead to six. That didn’t deter the Skeoughvosteen men as they ran at the Emeralds defence, drawing a couple of frees, which Ryan Murphy converted. But time was against them and two more points, one each from Darragh Queally (free) and Micheál Ahern sealed the victory for the Urlingford men.

Emeralds - Brendan Cleere; Oisín Deegan, Ciarán Phelan, Kacper Woloczko; Gavin Moriarty, Seán Burke, Kieran Cleere; Adam Barnaville (capt, 0-2), Tomás Cussen; Keelan Martin, Johnny Doyle, Killian Doyle (0-1); Alex Burke (0-2), Darragh Queally (0-10, 0-8 frees, 0-1 65), Micheál Ahern (0-1).

Subs: Jack Hickey, Jimmy Cleere.

Blacks & Whites - Ben Savage; Dara Moran, Jamie Ryan (capt), Cian Kennedy; Michael Pender, Daire Murphy (0-1), Josh Barcoe; Louis Brennan (0-1), Jack Kelly; Jason Byrne, Seanán Doyle (0-1), James Whitty; Sam Byrne (0-1), Paidí Cullen, Ryan Murphy (0-6, 0-5 frees).

Subs: Noah Snyder, Tadgh Farrell, Cian Jordan.

Referee - Vivienne Holmes (Bennettsbridge)