Harbour Rovers defeat defending champions to claim JAHC title

Harbour Rovers 1-16 Kilshannig 0-16

Harbour Rovers regained the Hibernian Hotel Avondhu JAHC title they last held in 2020, when they overcame the defending champions, Kilshannig in the final on Saturday in Castletownroche. Kilshannig were forced to lineout without the injured Killian O'Hanlon, Eanna O'Hanlon and Brian Guerin. In a keenly contested encounter, the winners’ defence was awesome, with Jack Coughlan outstanding. Kilshannig lacked scoring power, with Jack Twomey their most dangerous forward.

The sides were level 0-1 and 0-2 apiece after 9 minutes. Brian Gallagher came on for Rovers and he pointed on his introduction. Jack Twomey levelled from a free. The Glanworth side got on top for a period and Peter Condon placed Padraig Hannon for a point. Then, in the 17th minute Stephen Condon pointed two frees, now 0-6 to 0-3.

Kilshannig had a few wides before Evan O'Sullivan pointed. Both sides had a few wides with Jack Twomey, with a very good point, cutting the deficit. Stephen Condon and Jack Twomey exchanged pointed frees, as Rovers led at half-time 0-7 to 0-6.

NEVER MUCH BETWEEN SIDES

Early on the resumption, Stephen and Tom Condon with points opened up a lead of 0-9 to 0-6. Jack Twomey had two points for the Glantane side as they came within a point. The decisive score came in the 36th minute when Jesse Walsh and Stephen Condon worked well for Brian Gallagher who goaled, leaving it 1-9 to 0-8.

Kilshannig replied when Eoin O'Sullivan placed Dermot Twomey for a point. Paddy Walsh followed with a point. The Glanworth side had a very good point by Peter Condon that restored their goal lead.

Kilshannig defended well with Bill Curtin and Eoghan Bourke very solid. Darragh O'Sullivan placed Jack Twomey for a point and the latter followed with another, leaving it 1-10 to 0-12.

Just when Kilshannig were getting on top, it was Stephen Condon who landed a fine point for Rovers. A sideline cut by Jack Twomey was sent over by Paddy Walsh.

Kilshannig could not get on terms and Tom and Stephen Condon with points opened up a lead of 1-13 to 0-13. Stephen Condon and Jack Kearney swopped points, with Stephen Condon pointing a sideline cut that restored the four point lead for the third and final time during the second half. Kilshannig got the lead back two points. In injury time Dave Pyne pointed from long range as Harbour Rovers emerged winners.

After the game, Arthur O'Keeffe, Avondhu GAA Board chairman, presented the cup to the winning captain Eric O'Donoghue. Stephen Condon was named ' man of the match'.

TEAMS

Harbour Rovers: David O'Sullivan, Bart O'Keeffe, Eric O'Donoghue (capt) Jack Coughlan, Jesse Walsh, Sean Finn, Jamie Fogarty, Jerome Fitzgibbon, Tom Condon 0-2, Padraig Hannon 0-2, Peter Condon 0-1, Dave Pyne 0-1, Tom McGrath, Stephen Condon 0-9 (0-5f, 0-1 '65, 0-1 s/l), John O'Sullivan. Sub: Brian Gallagher (1-1) for John O'Sullivan (inj).

Kilshannig: David Kearney, Colm O'Shea, Eoghan Bourke, David Guiney, Kieran Twomey 0-1 (s/l), Bill Curtin, Darragh O'Sullivan, Jack Kearney 0-2, Conor Murphy, Jack Twomey 0-9 (0-5f), Damian Murphy, Paddy Walsh 0-2, Dermot Twomey 0-1, Diarmuid O'Sullivan, Evan O'Sullivan 0-1. Subs :Eoin O'Sullivan for Diarmuid O'Sullivan. Tom Cunningham for Evan O'Sullivan, Michael Twomey for Conor Murphy.

Referee: Ciaran O'Regan (Ballyhea).

(Pic: P O’Dwyer) The U8s from St Dominic’s (front) and Kilshannig, with their mentors, who played at half-time during the Hibernian Hotel Avondhu JAHC final on Saturday in Castletownroche.

(Pic: P O’Dwyer) TIME TO CELEBRATE! Tom McGrath, Harbour Rovers, with family members after the Hibernian Hotel Avondhu JAHC final last Saturday in Castletownroche.

(Pic: P O’Dwyer) CHAMPIONS - The Harbour Rovers panel and management after winning the Hibernian Hotel Avondhu JAHC final last Satuday in Castletownroche, defeating Kilshannig.

(Pic: P O’Dwyer) Stevie Condon, who was man of the match, after the JAHC final versus Kilshannig, pictured with Harbour Rovers captain, Eric O’Donoghue and chairman of Glanworth GAA, Kevin O’Keeffe, following the match on Saturday in Castletownroche.

(Pic: P O’Dwyer) Ann Fogarty with her sons, Jamie and Niall, members of the successful Harbour Rovers panel that claimed the JAHC title in Castletownroche on Saturday, when defeating Kilshannig.

(Pic: P O’Dwyer) Harbour Rovers captain, Eric O’Donoghue accepting the North Cork JAHC Cup from the Mayor of County Cork, Cllr Frank O’Flynn in the presence of Arthur O’Keeffe (Avondhu GAA Board chairman) following the Hibernian Hotel Avondhu JAHC final versus Kilshannig.

(Pic: P O’Dwyer) Dick Matthews and Paul O’Dwyer in Castletownroche last Saturday before the Hibernian Hotel Avondhu JAHC final between Harbour Rovers and Kilshannig.