Extra glory for Ballygarrett
BALLYGARRETT RAPPAREES 3-13 2-12 (AET) BALLYGARRETT NEEDED extra-time to come out on top of the Rapparees, taking the All-County Hurling League Division 7 title in the process at Bellefield on Tuesday.
The champions, who finished top of their group, losing only to Clonard in their last game once their final place was guaranteed, needed a late Seamus Dempsey free to get them into the added period.
Once there, they proved to have the legs to take the crown. Paddy O’Connor pointed for the hosts but Dempsey netted for the second time in the first period of extra-time to give his side a 3-11 to 2-11 advantage at the changearound.
With the light failing, substitute Ronan Kirwan came agonisingly close to netting for the Rapps when flashing over with four minutes remaining.
A run and classy score from Dempsey, his sixth point, re-established the three-point advantage.
Rapparees attacked looking to force a replay, however, when Dempsey added another free in the 81st minute the league title was going back to Ballygarrett with their injured captain Aidan Murphy.
Earlier, they had trailed by 1-8 to 1-6 at the interval.
Billy Conroy scored a first-half major for the Gorey District side but a kicked goal from Dayle Donohoe gave the hosts the advantage at the break.
Brendan Doyle and Seamus Dempsey exchanged green flags in the second period but it needed a late free from former St. Martin’s man Dempsey to secure overtime and eventually the league crown.
Ballygarrett: Conor Dowling; Philip Doyle, Shane Quinn, Eoin Doyle; Colm Cosgrave, Brendan Breen (0-1 free), Robert Dunbar; Gavin Morris (0-1), Brian O’Connor; Kevin Jordan, Seán O’Brien, Paddy Fleming; Oisín Dunbar (0-2), Seamus Dempsey (2-7, 0-5 frees), Billy Conroy (1-1). Subs. - Mark Doyle (0-1), Eddie Doyle, Anthony Donohoe, Colm O’Loughlin, Issac Porter, John Whelan, Jack Doyle, Mikey Burke, James Sugrue, Aidan Murphy (capt.), Tom Higgins, Melvin Brennan.
Rapparees: Ronan Furlong; Daniel O’Brien, Jason Russell, Fiacre Ryan; Nick Doyle, Liam Boland (capt.), Chris Doyle; Barry Deegan, Adrian Fenlon (0-2); Richie Farrell (0-5, 4 frees), Martin Armstrong, Graham Doyle (0-1); Adam Kirwan, Brendan Doyle (1-0), Dayle Donohoe (1-1). Subs. - Paddy O’Connor (0-2 frees), Ronan Kirwan (0-1), Stephen Murphy, Diarmuid Byrne, Jeremiah O’Connor, Colm Doran, Mick O’Connor, Timmy Dwyer, Adam Kirwan, Niall Sunderland, Martin Casey, Colin Sunderland, Michael Farrell, Darren Barron, Alan Franklin.
Referee: Francis Neville (Shelmaliers).