Kanturk denied county minor hurling title by impressive Newcestown

Newcestown 1-24 Kanturk 1-15

NEWCESTOWN regained the Rebel Og County Minor HC Division 1 title they last held in 2012 when they had a deserved win over Kanturk at St. Michael’s Grounds Mahon on Saturday. The game was played in bitter cold windy but dry conditions. Kanturk had the aid of the cross wind in the first half.

Newcestown were first to score.

In the opening minute a foul on Eddie Kenneally saw the same player point from the free. Richard O’Sullivan followed with a point soon after. Kanturk opened with a Colin Walsh point in the 6th minute.

The Duhallow side edged ahead when Brian O’Sullivan placed Alan Walsh who goaled. Both sides exchanged points. Kanturk moved a goal clear 1-4 to 0-4.

Newcestown hit for a goal in the 12th minute when Adam Giles worked well for Richard O’Sullivan who made it 1-4 each. The Carbery side struck a purple patch. They got on top in the half backline and midfield sectors and they forced the Kanturk defence to concede a number of frees. Richard O’Sullivan pointed and Eddie Kenneally followed with a brace of pointed frees.

Points for the winners by Eoghan Collins and David Buckley edged them five clear. Brian O’Sullivan kept Kanturk in touch from a free. Colin Walsh and David Buckley exchanged late points as Newcestown held an interval lead 1-14 to 1-8.

On the restart Brian O’Sullivan pointed a free. Eddie Kenneally replied for the Carbery side. A foul on David Buckley led to another Eddie Kenneally pointed free. By the 42nd minute Newcestown had moved nine points clear, 1-19 to 1-10.

Kanturk never gave up. They had points by Alan Walsh and Conor Sheehan 1-20 to 1-13. Grantas Bucinskas made two good saves during the second half. The winners keeper Cathal Wilson was also very effective throughout. Colm O’Donovan and Eddie Kenneally with late points ensured victory by a nine-point margin.

After the game John Purcell Rebel Og Chairman presented the cup to the winning captain Olan Walsh.

NEWCESTOWN: C Wilson, C Durkin, D Buttimer, G Kelleher, E Calnan, E Collins 0-1, S O’Sullivan, C O’Donovan 0-4 (1f), O Walsh, A Giles, E Kenneally 0-13 (9f), D Buckley 0-3, N Kelly 0-1, R O’Sullivan 1-2, J Ryan. Subs: D McSweeney for A Giles, R Power for J Ryan.

KANTURK: G Bucinskas, P Leahy, A Murphy, O Guiney, E McAuliffe, C O’ Sullivan, E Hayes, B O’Sullivan 0-7 (5f), J Moylan, C Walsh 0-3, T Walsh, A Corbett, O O’Connor, A Walsh 1-4, G Keneghan. Subs: C Sheehan 0-1 for G Keneghan, C Carroll for O O’Connor, R Sheehan for A Corbett.

REFEREE: Trevor Lyons (Douglas)