Rovers just edge out solid Kilshannig

Croke Rovers 1-12 Kilshannig 0-14

CROKE Rovers had a point to spare over Kilshannig in the Rebel Óg Under 16 HC Div 3 Cup final at Banteer on Thursday evening.

It was an evenly contested game all through with Kilshannig holding a slight advantage for long periods. Conor O’Sullivan opened with an early point for the winners. Croke Rovers keeper Josh Drumm was in splendid form all through making some great saves.

Alan O’Sullivan levelled after four minutes. The Kilbrin-Castlemagner side hit points by Ronan Heffernan and Brian O’Sullivan as they moved 0-3 to 0-1 clear. Kilshannig relied mainly on Alan Flynn for scores.

They were level 0-3 each after 15 minutes. Both sides exchanged points as they were tied at 0-5 each. Kilshannig finished out the half very strong. Alan Flynn had two points with Colm Ring working hard for Donncha Doherty who pointed in the 29th minute as they led 0-8 to 0-5 at the break.

On the resumption Kilshannig again did very well. They were on top in the half backline and midfield sectors. Alan Flynn with two frees had them double scores clear after 38 minutes 0-10 to 0-5. Conor O’Sullivan pointed a free for Croke Rovers with Alan Flynn restoring the five point lead 0-11 to 0-6 after 44 minutes.

The Glantane side added another pointed free by Alan Flynn after Alan O’Sullivan was fouled. Croke Rovers made a few substitutions that turned the game in their favour. First Jamie Harrington pointed a ‘65 and a free 0-12 to 0-8.

Alan Flynn had another pointed free. In the 47th minute Tadhg O’Riordan pointed for the Duhallow side. They had a goal by Daniel King after a free by Conor O’Sullivan 0-13 to 1- 9. In the 58th minute Jamie Harrington levelled from a ‘65.

Harrington and Alan Flynn exchanged a point each 1-11 to 0-14 entering injury time. Deep in injury time a 65 by Jamie Harrington was pointed by Fionn O’Connor as Croke Rovers were crowned champions.

After the game Sean McAuliffe Chairman Rebel Óg North presented the cup to the winning captain Malaise O’Brien. It marked a league and championship double for the Croke Rovers side.

CROKE ROVERS: J Drumm, L O’Riordan, K Keohane, D Heffernan, R McRory, M O’Brien, D Burke, C O’Sullivan 0-3f, L Fitzmaurice, R Heffernan 0-1, J O’Driscoll, J Harrington 0-4 (0-2f, 0-2 ‘65’), B O’Sullivan 0-2 Subs: T O’Riordan 0-1 for L Fitzmaurice, D King 1-0 for J O’Driscoll, T Fitzmaurice for R McRory, F O’Connor 0-1 for B O’Sullivan

KILSHANNIG: M Flynn, G Sheehan, S O’Riordan, J Fleming, R O’Halloran, S Connolly, T Cunningham, C Ring, J Bolster, A O’Sullivan 0-1, S Ring, A Flynn 0-11 (0-8f), D Doherty 0-2 Subs: A O’Connell for J Bolster, D O’Connor for S Ring, J Power for S O’Riordan

REFEREE: John Hartnett (Boherbue)