The Rocks are border kings
Arklow hurlers see off Kildare opposition to win title
ARKLOW ROCKS ST COLUMBAS (KE) 5-2 2-1
AFTER both receiving semi-final byes, Arklow Rocks played host to Saint Columbas of Kildare in the cross-border championship final in Pearse’s Park last weekend.
Both sides were well prepared and up for the game and a highly entertaining game ensued. It was nip and tuck for the start of the first half with both defences proving highly efficient, especially the two O’Murchú brothers, Liam and Donnocha solid in the full-back line for the Rocks.
The breakthrough came when the trojan center back Kyle Byrne drove a long ball out and the nippy Tiernan Gahan won possession and took off. He soloed through and put the ball in the roof of the net. He then added another point.
St Colombas battled hard and soon got a goal of their own. Straight from the puck out, the Rocks battled hard through Adam O’Farrell and Aarron Keogh and the ball broke to Cian Redmond and he pulled to the back of the net – old style stuff at its best. Half-time 2-1 to 1-0.
The Kildare side started brightly and scored 1-1 without reply, but it was like pressing a trigger for the Rocks as they upped their levels no end through some fine plays led by the able hands of Patrick ‘Padge’ Shaw. He put over a point worthy of the television before Adam O’Leary found his wings and took flight rattling the net and putting the Rocks back in front.
Gahan then added another goal before Redmond struck again, sealing a fine win for this very young Rocks team and ensuring the Cross-Border Cup went to the Rocks.
Outstanding on the day were Padge Shaw, Kyle Byrne, Adam O’Farrell, Jack O’Reilly, Jamie Somers, Cian Redmond, Adam O’Leary, the two O’Murchus, and John Erasmus.