Rooney grabs the winner

Naomh Malachi Sean McDermott’s 1-9 0-11

COLLIE Rooney was the hero for Naomh Malachi as he landed a last-minute point to hand his side a victory over Sean McDermott’s by the narrowest of margins.

The teams looked set to settle for a share of the spoils when the Seans battled back from three down in the closing 10 minutes, but all their good was in vain as the visitors snatched victory in a dramatic finale. It was a difficult week for all concerned with the Seans, but they began with their focus very much on the game as David O’Neill got them off the mark in the first minute. Tony Kelly then added two inside seven minutes to extend the lead.

Jamie Kelly finally got the Mals off the mark on eight minutes, but it was to prove only brief respite as O’Neill and Kelly hit the target at the other end to lead by 0-5 to 0-1.

The Courtbane men then got through for the only goal of the game from Kieran Hughes to get right back into the match and a point from Ronan McElroy had the sides level on 15 minutes.

Ronan Greene and Collie Rooney pointed to put the visitors ahead, and although Ronan Curran replied for the Seans, Kieran Hughes had the final say of the half to send the Mals in leading by 1-5 to 0-6.

The visitors looked to be heading towards victory when two points from Shane Rogers saw them take a 1-8 to 0-8 lead entering the final quarter, but at that stage the McDermott’s upped their game and points from Tony Kelly (2) and Kevin McMahon had the game all square on 54 minutes.

Both teams created chances to win the game, but it was the Mals who snatched victory when Rooney fired over in the final minute.