Scoring spree spells junior joy for O'Loughlin Gaels over Dunnamaggin
JJ Kavanagh & Sons County Junior Hurling A League Final
A string of eight unanswered points helped O’Loughlin Gaels record a deserved win over Dunnamaggin and lift the Junior A league title.
The city side’s rally, which came between the 18th and 28th minutes, saw the Gaels open a seven-point lead (0-12 to 0-5) on the Kells Road. It was an advantage they would never relinquish.
Dunna’ tried to claw back the deficit, finding two late points through former Kilkenny senior player Seaghan O’Neill, but that still left five points between the sides at the break (0-12 to 0-7).
Big score
The big score was the O’Loughlins goal, which was finished by Ruarc Sweeney following a long delivery into the Dunna’ goalmouth. Greg Kelly and Jack Sheridan followed up with two points from play to extend the gap (1-18 to 0-11).
To their credit Dunnamaggin never gave up, outscored O’Loughlins 2-2 to 0-1 in the closing 10 minutes of normal time, plus the five minutes of additional time.
Ross O’Neill and Adam Fitzpatrick pointed and when Seaghan O’Neill scored a follow up goal, after the O’Loughlins ’keeper made a fine save (1-13 to 1-18). Ben Maher extended the lead to six points, but Ross O’Neill got another Dunnamaggin goal to leave just three points in it.
They even had some chances to take the game into extra-time, but O’Loughlins held out - just!
O’Loughlins looked the better team for most of the evening. John McNamara, Ben Kinsella, Ben Maher and Greg Kelly were among those who starred. For Dunnamaggin Peter Kenneally and Ross O’Neill stood out, along with Seaghan O’Neill. Gay Rafter did a good job with the whistle in a fine sporting contest.
Teams and scorers
O’Loughlin Gaels - Ruarc Sweeney (1-3, 0-3 frees); John McNamara, Ben Maher (0-4 each); Greg Wallace, Jack Sheridan (0-3 each); Tervine Wallace (0-2).
Dunnamaggin - Seaghan O’Neill (1-5, 0-4 frees), Ross O’Neill (1-4), Andrew Fitzpatrick (0-3), JJ Dunphy (0-1).
O’Loughlin Gaels - Michael Lambert; Kevin O’Brien, Gary Bryan, Alex Molloy; Padraig Meaney (captain), Jay Leahy, Ben Tyrrell; John McNamara, Ben Kinsella; Mark Holohan, Tervine Wallace, Ruarc Sweeney; Ben Maher, Greg Kelly, Jack Sheridan. Subs: Luke Quigley, Cathal O’Leary, Jack Kearns, Harry O’Grady, Tadhg O’Meara, Cathal O’Leary, Peter McNamara, Mark Croghan, Michael Butler, CJ McChamcheu, Sean Cahalane, Kevin Rowe, Shane Maher, Gavin Mahony, Joe Bolger, Billy Leydon, Frank Joel, Nic Redmond, Killian Byrnes, Josh Hynes.
Dunnamaggin - James Logue; Mark Dowling, Jack Brett (captain), Paddy Delaney; Paul Kirwan, Aaron Doherty, Jimmy O’Neill; Cathal Walsh, Colin Fitzpatrick; JJ Dunphy, Peter Kenneally, Ruaidhri Holden; Adam Fitzpatrick, Anthony Kearney, Seaghan O’Neill. Subs: Ross O’Neill, Sean Carroll, Jason Doherty, Colin Herity, Kieran Buckley, Michael Costelloe, Alex Moore, Sean Lawton, Cathal Buckley, Killian Tallon, Andrew Fitzpatrick, Eóin Shiel, Aaron Moore.
Referee - Gay Rafter (Threecastles).