Minor hurlers lose out in championship final to Killeagh in close contest

Our minor hurling championship final played out in the heat on the sun-drenched Lisgoold Pitch at 4pm last Sunday. Killeagh won the toss and played with the gentle breeze. As expected, the pace was fast and very physical from the throw in. Killeagh opened the scoring and we answered - the scoring was steady from both sides through the first half and we felt we were really competitive in the game winning a lot of the battles and turning great ball from the backs of Jack in goals, Ronan, Jamie, Adam, Cathal, Denis & Gearoid into the forwards and we were getting some scores or winning hard earned frees.

In around the 20th minute, Killeagh turned us over in a tackle around the middle of the field and struck for a goal. We didn’t panic and kept playing the game as there was only a few scores in it. All the lads were working really hard - winning great possession, making great carries and winning some very hard earned frees that were well converted by Cormac. His midfield partner Sean was tackling hard and delivering in great ball and Conor got on the a ball in a tough tackle and buried it to the net leaving the half time score 1-10 to 1-7 - only 3 points down.

The second half started with the same intensity and some very hard tackles, with both sides giving it their all. We lost the fast running Rudi to a leg injury and Mark came in to replace him as Cathal was playing well in the sweeper role. Jack in goals was delivering great puck outs and made a brilliant save. Finn and Mattie were working the wings hard as was Michael at centre forward. Scores were hard to get on both sides in a tense second half and we had it level with just 5 minutes to go, with Jack and Conor threatening in the two-man inside forward line. As much as we tried with the great sprit the boys have shown all this season, we just couldn’t convert the last few attempts for scores and lost the game by two points.

Heart-breaking. This was the lads fourth final this year between football and hurling league & championship that the Rovers minor boys reached this season which is a fantastic achievement in itself and it’s felt that every one of them deserved more. They should be very proud as they have developed into fine young men for a bright futures.

Management thanked all the panel of players for their commitment through the very full season and wished them all the very best in their futures.

Team & Panel:
Jack Hynes
Jamie Walsh
Adam Cronin
Ronan Barry
Cathal Barry
Denis Fitzgerald
Gearoid O Connell
Cormac Barry
Sean Dowling
Matty Kenny
Michael Walsh
Rudai Gharib
Finn O Driscoll
Conor O Riordan
Jack Mannix
Jack Lynch
Mark Hynes
Garry Quirke
Darragh Farrell
Darragh Delaney
Adam Kelleher
Con Mc Cormac
Eanna Lyons
Shane Prendergast
James Larkin
Shane O Dowd (injured)
Oliver Harris (Injured)