Sinnott makes his point in the closing minute

A CLOSING minute point from Luke Sinnott turned this game into a dramatic late victory for Munna Abbáin over an unlucky Geraldine O’Hanrahans side in this excellent Greenstar Under-20 hurling Division 3 championship semi-final in Taghmon on Tuesday.

Very little separated the sides through- out this game as the play flowed from end to end, with an excellent quality of hurling from both teams resulting in some excellent scores, as both strove for supremacy.

Both sides registered excellent opening scores, with Barry Roche being particularly prominent for the Barrowsiders, who led by 0-6 to 0-5 at the end of the opening quarter.

The excellent finishing of Cathal Doyle and Luke Sinnott was crucial for the home side. When Sinnott found the net with an excellent strike it handed the initiative to the Taghmon-Camross and Adamstown combination, but with the Geraldines responding with points through Roche from frees and play, Ned Connors and Diarmuid Kehoe, just one separated the sides at the interval (1-8 to 0-10).

It continued nip and tuck through the second 30 minutes, with the home side turning a fine passage of play into a three-point lead with Doyle and Sinnott on target from a variety of angles.

With Roche and Enda Kelly responding with points, corner-forward Craig McDonald sprang to his side’s assistance with a goal, finishing low to the net from an acute angle and beating David O’Keef- fe at his near post.

The sides continued to trade points, with Cathal Doyle, Luke Sinnott and Adam Sinnott on target for the home team, but with Barry Roche and Enda Kelly responding with excellent scores, they were deadlocked entering the closing minutes.

With extra-time beckoning, Luke Sinnott fired over what proved to be the winning point to send his side into the final against Tara Rocks this evening (Tuesday).

Munna Abbáin: David O’Keeffe; Tom Banville, Stephen O’Keeffe, J.P. Furlong; Darragh Winters, Shane Doyle (0-2), Peter Murphy; Shane Lacey, Michael Dunleavy (0-1); Anthony Roche, Seánie O’Neill (0-1), Alex Gondard; Cathal Doyle (0-8, 6 frees), Luke Sinnott (14), Adam Sinnott (0-1). Subs. - Adrian Doyle for Banville, inj., John Banville for Gondard.

Geraldine O’Hanrahans: Ben Walsh; Paddy Somers, Gerry Cash, Kieran St. Ledger; Enda Kelly (0-2), Pádraig Bailey, Jake Byrne; Kyle Grangel, Tom Connors; Adam Fenlon, Barry Roche (0-10, 7 frees, 1 ‘65), Diarmuid Kehoe (0-2); Craig McDonald (1-0), Ned Connors (0-2), Andy Cash. Sub. - Martin Doran for McDonald.

Referee: Eric Molloy (St. James’).