There were incredible scenes in Duggan Park on Saturday as
the newly formed amalgamation Skehana Mountbellew Moylough won the Brooks Minor
B1 county hurling title in the most dramatic fashion imaginable, scoring a
last-gasp injury time goal to defeat Craughwell 1-14 to 1-13 in a classic
county final. It was cruel luck on Craughwell, who looked like they were on
their way to victory when Darren Lyons hit the net with 4 minutes to go to give
his side a 4 point lead, but Skehana Mountbellew Moylough had other ideas and
two late Sean McDonagh points were followed in the final minute of stoppage time
by a Harry O’Leary goal that sealed a famous win.
The star of the show once again was county star Sean
McDonagh who ended up scoring 13 points for the winners, 12 of them from the
placed ball. His was an exhibition of ball striking under pressure and caps a
stellar year in which he was named county minor hurler of the year. Craughwell
led at half time by 10 points to 8, thanks to Conor Rooney, Thomas Hynes and
free-taker Darren Lyons who all landed 3 points apiece. Skehana Mountbellew
Moylough were almost totally dependent on Sean McDonagh, whose 7 frees kept his
side in touch. Three more frees at the start of the second half took McDonagh
to double figures and gave his side the lead, only for Aaron Dolan to restore
Craughwell’s lead at 12-11 thanks to a brace of his own. Both players swapped
frees to leave Craughwell ahead by the minimum with 5 minutes to go when the
real drama started.
Firstly, Craughwell were awarded a penalty. Aaron Dolan saw
his shot brilliantly saved by Dylan Connolly, but Darren Lyons flicked the
rebound back into the net for what looked like the match winning goal. Skehana
Mountbellew Moylough didn’t panic though and after Sean McDonagh pointed from both
play and a free, the stage was set for Harry O’Leary’s late heroics. All in all
this was a tremendous advertisement for both minor hurling in the county and
the benefits of an amalgamation for smaller clubs.
The final score again from the Brooks Minor B1 hurling final in Duggan Park: Skehana Mountbellew Moylough 1-14 Craughwell 1-13
Skehana/Mountbellew/Moylough: D. Connolly, B. Noone, D. Newell, A. Cummins; A. Delaney, S. McDonagh (0-13, 0-11 frees, 0-1 65), B. Murphy; E. Donohue, B. Horgan; G. Cummins, M. Lally, S. Fallon; H. O’Leary (1-0), S. Hansberry (0-1), J. Fahy-Hansberry (Capt). Subs: O. Lohan for Lally (37 mins).
Craughwell: S. O’Halloran, C. Geoghegan, D. Moran, R.
O’Leary; K. Molloy, E. Kelly, J. Regan; R. Howley, C. Gorman; D. Clarke, T.
Hynes (0-3), D. Lyons (1-3, 0-3 frees); S. Gilligan, J. Jackson (0-1), C.
Rooney (0-3). Subs: A. Dolan (0-3 frees) for Jackson (40 mins), T. Leen for
Lyons (62 mins).
Referee: John Keane (Rahoon/Newcastle).
