Rathgormack and Newtown serve up a cracker
Cumann na mBunscol chairman Tim O'Byrne presents the winners plaque to Rathgormack captain Sean Skehan after their Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Roinn C Hurling Final.
There was a buzz in the air as Rathgormack and Newtown players warmed up.
Fans were eagerly waiting to see if Rathgormack could redeem themselves after a narrow defeat from Newtown in the league round.
The ball was thrown in, Evan Halpin picked up the ball but it fell wide by just a margin. Newtown work the ball up and get fouled near the half way line. Joe Jackman steps up and Newtown get the first score. Rathgormack had fire in their bellies though and battled hard to win the puck out from Frankie Clery. Harry O’Brien takes a strike for a point but it falls wide.
The ball was pucked out, after a battle near the side goal with Will Saunderson and Joe Hennebry, Rathgormack get a 65’ and Darragh Lynch stepped up to take it for his team and put the sliotar straight through the posts getting a point for Rathgormack.
Rory Quinlan seized the next opportunity and sent the sliotar over the bar!
Rathgormack regroup again and Bobby Power caught the goalie’s puck out. He passed a great ball to Evan Halpin who scored a goal!!
Joe Hennebry could be heard encouraging the team on in the forward line. Joe Jackman won the puckout and after a solo run he hit the back of the net.
Rathgormack’s defence didn’t look shaken though. Sean Skehan, Sam Skehan and Rory Quinlan were seen battling and marking their players tightly to defend their goal at all costs.
Rory passed the ball up to Evan Halpin and Evan’s shot hit the back of the net yet again.
Tom Hayes came on and brought a spurt of energy into the Rathgormack team.
Sean Skehan and Sam Skehan defended the ball getting it to Evan again and he shot it straight over the bar. Joe Hennebry won the keeper’s puck out, Evan was free again and Joe passes it. Evan looked and took another strike finding the centre of the two posts.
The whistle went soon after and Rathgormack are champions. The stadium is electric and the fans have gone wild!!
Evan Houlihan, Fionnán Quigley, Samuel Carmody, John Walsh, Conor Bailey and Jack Halpin deserve a special mention for all their hard work to get us to the final. Well done to Rathgormack who beat Newtown 2-4 to 1-1.
Seán Skehan, Samuel Skehan, Jack Halpin, Rory Quinlan, Bobby Power, Will Saunderson, Harry Dunican, Joe Hennebry, Frank Clery, Darragh Lynch, Fionnán Quigley, Evan Halpin, Samuel Carmody, Tom Hayes, Evan Houlihan, Conor Bailey, John Walsh.
