Keale Gaels hurlers are U-18 B1 kingpins

Keale Gaels 1-15 Buttevant 1-12

THIS was a very evenly contested Abbey Printing sponsored Rebel Og Under 18 B1 HC final at Ballyclough on Monday evening.

Diarmuid Doody opened the scoring with a Buttevant point. Good play by Niall Flahive led to an equaliser by Jerry O’Sullivan. Tomas Howard with a free edged the Gaels in front. By the 10th minute the sides were level when Gavin Carey pointed a free. Mark Lenahan and Tomas Howard exchanged points 0-3 each.

Gradually Gaels gained the upperhand with Aidan Murphy, Conor O’Callaghan, Neil Flahive, Tomas Howard and Brandon Murphy very effective. Points by Neil Flahive and Andrew Smith opened up a lead after 16 minutes play. Buttevant came back with a foul on Diarmuid Doody with Gavin Carey pointing the free 0-5 to 0-4. Michael O’Neill levelled with a massive point.

Gaels replied immediately by Tomas Howard who soloed through and pointed. Gaels had their goal in the 24th minute when Evan Murphy, Brandon Murphy and Andrew Smith linked up well in placing Jerry O’Sullivan for a goal. O’Neill landed another long range Buttevant point as they came within a goal 1-6 to 0-6. Keale Gaels finished the half very strong.

Tomas Howard pointed a free and Dylan Kelleher worked well for Niall Flahive who made it 1-8 to 0-6. Paddy Behan pointed for Buttevant. In the closing moments Mark Lenahan cut through the centre but was denied a goal by a very good save by Daniel Hartnett.

In injury-time Gaels Neil Flahive and Brandon Murphy worked a good movement that led to a fine point by Killian O’Sullivan 1-9 to 0-7 at the break.

Buttevant came strong on the resumption. Michael O’Neill gave a very good delivery to Gavin Carey who pointed. Carey followed with a free cutting the lead to a goal 1-9 to 0-9. Buttevant had two wides. Gaels used the short passing to great effect with Conor O’Callaghan, Neil Flahive and Tomas Howard outstanding. By the end of the 3rd quarter the Duhallow side had moved 1-11 to 0-10 clear. Buttevant had a goal by Mark Lenahan after a four man attack.

The Avondhu side were unable to get any closer. Donal Sheehan and Tomas Howard added a point each 1-13 to 1-10 by the 48th minute. Good interlink play by Tomas Howard and Conor O’Callaghan led to Neil Flahive being put through but his goal bound effort was well saved by Mark O’Connell. Gaels had four wides in quick succession with Gavin Carey pointing a ‘65’ that left just two points between the sides. Gavin Carey and Tomas Howard swapped a pointed free.

Mark Lenahan with another goal bound attempt was denied by Daniel Hartnett. In the 60th minute Brandon Murphy with a fine point edged the winners 3 points clear 1-15 to 1-12.

In injury time Buttevant lay siege on the Gaels defence. They forced three ‘65’s that were all cleared to safety. Time ran out and it was Keale Gaels who emerged as close but deserving winners.

After the game Teresa Carroll (Freemount) on behalf of the Carroll family presented the Denis Carroll Memorial Cup to the winners joint captains Neil Flahive and Killian O’Sullivan in the presence of Rebel Og Chairman Sean McAuliffe, sponsor Mike Morrissey (Abbey Print) and the large Keale Gaels following. KEALE GAELS: D Hartnett, M Sheehan, A Murphy, R Daly, E Murphy, C O’Callaghan 0-1, D Cashman, N Flahive 0-2, K O’Sullivan 0-1, B Murphy 0-1, T Howard 0-7 (4f) D Kelleher, D Sheehan 0-1, A Smith 0-1, J O’Sullivan 1-1. Subs: L Murphy for D Kelleher, D O’Donovan for D Sheehan.

BUTTEVANT: K Trimm, C Cremin, M O’Connell, B Keane, B O’Connor, M O’Neill 0-2, N O’Riordan, G Carey 0-7 (5f, 1 ‘65’), D McAuliffe, J O’Brien, D Doody 0-1, S O’Callaghan, P Behan 0-1, M Lenahan 1-1. Subs: C Stanners for D McAuliffe, C O’Hanlon for C Cremin.

REFEREE: John O’Leary (Mallow)