Athleague survive Roads fightback to bridge 11-year gap

ATHLEAGUE ended an 11-year famine to stun Four Roads in the Roscommon senior hurling championship decider at a windy Athleague.

Seamus Qualter’s side hadn’t beaten Four Roads in a final since 1975, but they rewrote the history books, helped by two first-half goals from Eamon Flanagan and David Flaherty when they built up an 11-point advantage at the interval.

Four Roads, appearing in their 11th county final in succession, threw everything at their opponents in the second half, but Cathal Dolan’s wonderful injury-time goal wasn’t enough to reel in Athleague.

The winners hurled with great intensity in the opening half, led by defenders David Delaney, Alan Moore, JP Murray and Gary Fallon.

Eamon Flanagan (free) and Eoghan Coyle edged them two points clear inside the first 12 minutes. A brilliant save by goalkeeper David Connell inspired them further before Flanagan flicked Ben McGahon’s long delivery to the net.

Further points from Flanagan, Robbie Fallon and Eoghan Coyle followed before Johnny Coyne finally got Four Roads off the mark in the 21st minute.

Another brilliant point by Fallon underlined Athleague’s dominance before a second goal arrived. Flanagan’s sideline cut travelled across the square and David Flaherty directed the sliotar into the corner of the net.

Trailing by 2-7 to 0-2 at the break, Four Roads managed to outscore Athleague by 0-5 to 0-2 in the third quarter. Player-manager Andrew Lawlor led the charge late on but points by Flanagan and Robbie Fallon seemed to have guided Athleague to victory.

But Dolan’s stunning strike in injury time was followed by a point by Micheál Kelly to reduce the arrears to just three points. The clock beat the Tisrara club, however, as Athleague captain Niall Connolly gratefully accepted the Mickey Cunniffe Cup.