Buttevant lose out in high-scoring final

St Marks 6-15 Buttevant 5-13

FOLLOWING a thrilling Rebel Óg North Under 16 B 2 HL 13-a-side final St Marks had a close but deserved win over Buttevant who were just the previous week crowned championship winners.

The game was played under lights in Mourneabbey on Thursday night. Scores came thick and fast. St Mark’s opened with points by Cormac Curtin and Cathal Broderick while Buttevant edged ahead with a Niall O’Connell goal.

Further pressure by St Mark’s led to points by Jimmy McAuliffe (2) and Cormac Curtin. Curtin goaled from a free and the Duhallow side were 2-4 to 2-2 clear. Donal Ryan and Michael O’Neill had points for Buttevant who levelled at 2-4 each.

Kyle Bowles and Cormac Curtin exchanged a point 2-5 each. St Marks struck a purple patch. Jack Kelly worked well for Jimmy McAuliffe who goaled. The latter followed with another goal a minute later as they moved 4-5 to 2-5 ahead.

Coming up to half-time David Carroll landed a long range point. Just before the break Conor O’Hanlon goaled and the lead at the break was down to four points 4-6 to 3-5.

On the resumption St Marks did well. They had early points by Cathal Broderick and Cormac Curtin. Michael O’Neill pointed for Buttevant. A goal by Cormac Curtin in the 40th minute opened up an eight point lead 5-8 to 3-6.

Jimmy McAuliffe added a fine point under pressure. Declan Buckley and Kyle Trimm swopped a point by the three quarter stage 5-10 to 3-7. Martin Collins goaled fro St Mark’s as they led 6-11 to 3-8. Buttevant rallied well. A well placed puckout by Aaron Trimm found Michael O’Neill who soloed through and goaled.

Buttevant came close to another goal, but JC Guiney’s effort from close range was saved by Ciaran Curtin. In the 53rd minute Niall O’Connell goaled and the lead was down to six points 6-11 to 5-8.

Buttevant made a great late rally. JC Guiney had three points with Jimmy McAuliffe replying 6-12 to 5-11. In injury time Cormac Curtin (free) and Michael O’Neill swopped a point.

JC Guiney with a late free left just a goal between the sides 6-13 to 5-13. Buttevant lost Conrad Cremin and JC Guiney to red cards in the closing moments. In this period the Duhallow side ensured victory with points deep in injury time by Cathal Broderick and Jimmy McAuliffe.

ST MARKS: Ciaran Curtin, D Culhane, B Carroll, P Curtin, D Carroll 0-1, J Kelly, C Broderick 0-3, Cormac Curtin 2-4 (1-3f), A Linehan, Cian Curtin, D Dineen, D Buckley 1-1, J McAuliffe 2-6 Sub: M Collins 1-0 for A Linehan BUTTEVANT: A Trimm, B O’Connor, N O’Riordan C Cremin, M O’Connell, A Carey, M O’Neill 1-5, K Trimm 0-2, C O’Hanlon 1-0, J C Guiney 1-4 (0-3f), D Ryan 0-1, N O’Connell 2-1, K Bowles Sub: E O’Donoghue for K Bowles

REFEREE: Michael Sheehan (Liscarroll)