Naomh Eoin win Brennan Cup
NOAMH EOIN is celebrating the historic exploits of the club’s senior hurling team who captured the Martin Brennan Cup last Wednesday evening in Tourlestrane.
They defeated defending champions Calry St Joseph’s 1-16 to 0-8.
This was their first senior hurling title in over ten years and the club’s first time to win this prestigious trophy which is dedicated to the memory of the Tourlestrane hurling legend and clubman Martin Brennan. His wife Anne presented the cup to captain Tommy O’Callaghan who paid tribute to the memory of Martin.
The final came five days after a disappointing loss to Naomh Eoin’s city rivals in Round 4 of the Sligo SHC the previous Saturday, and the lads certainly made amends with a determined, athletic and skilful performance from start to finish.
Gerard O’Kelly-Lynch gave a man-of-the-match display with his relentless work rate and finishing inspiring his team mates to overwhelm the Calry team, and contributing 0-11 to the overall total of 1-16.
At half-time Naomh Eoin led 0-11 to 0-3 with O’Kelly-Lynch firing over 8 points from frees and play as they dominated the central positions and tackled fiercely. Paul Kilcoyne, Kevan Brennan, and Tony O’Kelly-Lynch also contributed to the scoreboard with fine points from play from a range of positions and following some resilient play by the backs.
Mattie Davey was superb at full back and the half back line were dominant with Ryan Feehily particularly effective.
In the second half the experienced Calry/St Joseph’s hurlers fought back and for the first ten minutes scores were even and hard to come by.
Niall Campbell in his first year at the senior grade scored a goal following a rebounded strike from Paul Kilcoyne, and both Gerard and Tony O’Kelly-Lynch added key points in an historic victory for the club.
NAOMH EOIN: Michael Healy; Tommy O’Callaghan (Capt.), Mattie Davey, David Hickey; Ryan Feehily, Niall Feehily, Cathal Jordan; Gerard O’Kelly-Lynch (0-11, 7f), Tony O’Kelly-Lynch (0-2); Donal Fidgeon, Paul Kilcoyne (0-2), Kevan Brennan (0-1); Conor McGovern, Colm Dolan, Niall Campbell (1-1). Subs: Roan Conneely, Ger Leamy, Evan Davey, Sean O’Connor, Kieran Donohue, Alan Kelly.