Cumann na mBunscol Finals: Trim secure dramatic victory in thrilling finale
DIV 1 HURLING
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St Michael’s NS Trim’s Colin Doyle gets his shot away despite Harry Lambe’s attempted block during Saturday’s Div 1 final at St Loman’s Park. David MullenImage 2 of 4
The St Michael’s Trim players who were on duty for the Div 1 Hurling final (from left) were: back - Oisin Leonard, Michael Coogan, Jamie Massey, Oliver Leonard, Adam Kohistani, Ronan Murray, Eoghan Murray, Peter Higgins, Eoghan O’Donnell, Colin Doyle, Seanie Henry, Adam O’Donnell, Conor O’Donnell, Cillian O’Connor, David McSherry, Ethan Hughes, Jamie Gunning; front - Tiarnan Rogers, Sean O’Brien, Charlie Morgan, Alex O’Connor, Charlie Battersby, Charlie Brennan, Evan McGuinness, Conor McGuinness, Fionn Crotty, Daniel Jones, Leon Caldwell, John Higgins, Rian McCoole, Leo Gould. David MullenImage 3 of 4
The Ratoath NS players who were on duty for the Div 1 Hurling final (from left) were: back - Harry Lamb, Max Peake, Jake Campbell, Ollie Coulter, Leo O’Connor, Jamie Kelly, Cian Lyons, Pearse Colwell, Lorcan McGowan, Joe Hatch, Corey Lyons, Dylan Eade, Sean Behan, Ollie Milne; front - George Ellison, Conor Doyle, Tiarnan O’Connor, Cian Flanagan, Barra McGowan, Stephan Brady, Brody Monaghan, Senan Brady, Noah McGlynn, Rioch Nolan. David MullenImage 4 of 4
St Michael’s NS, Trim captains Jamie Massey and Seanie Henry receive the Div 1 Hurling Cup from St Michael’s teacher and Meath hurler Gerry Dwane. David MullenAfter extra-time
The low-scoring nature of this Div 1 Hurling final might suggest it was lacking in bite and a bit of excitement and drama. Nothing could be further from the truth.
This was a real humdinger, a frantic contest that raced along at a relentless pace with the teams constantly looking to create and take scores. The main reason they were prevented from getting more goals and points was down to the fact that both defences were so organised, so unwilling to concede any time or space to their opponents.
The winning score arrived in the second period of extra-time when Tiarnan Rogers confidently swept the ball over the bar despite the fact he was under enormous pressure. It was a score worthy of winning any game.
The closeness of the teams was reflected in the way they were level, 0-1 apiece, at the interval in normal time. They were still deadlocked at the end of normal time, 1-3 apiece.
Ollie Coulter gave Ratoath an early lead, Ronan Murray equalised for Trim in the opening half. In the second-half Trim created more chances and led by four points at one stage. Colin Doyle scored their goal early in the second-half latching onto a centre from David McSherry before turning and slotting to the net with a powerful drive. Doyle also pointed for the Reds.
Ratoath didn't give up however. They kept in touch and were greatly helped in their comeback by a sharply-executed Cian Flanagan goal while Lorcan McGowan and Connor Doyle also slotted over scores.
The team in blue and gold went from four down to one up and it took a truly wonderful stoke from Trim's Seanie Henry from a free near half-way to level matters again. It was onto extra-time.
Both sides had chances in extra-time but Rogers took his chance and it proved to be a match winner. One chance. One precioius point - at least as far as St Michael's, Trim were concerned. Of course both sides had plenty of heroes with the respective goalkeepers - Trim's Charlie Battersby and Ratoath's Cian Lyons - showing oceans of skill, alertness and composure. They had to be sharp in a contest that was full of super hurling and endless entertainment.
St Michael’s NS, Trim - Charlie Battersby; Eoghan Murray, Adam Kohistani, David McSherry; Peter Higgins, Fionn Crotty, Evan McGuinness; Ronan Murray (0-1, free), Jamie Massey; Charlie Morgan, Adam O’Donnell, Seanie Henry (0-1 free); Alex O’Connor, Colin Doyle (1-1), Conor McGuinness. Subs - Cillian O’Connor, Michael Coogan, Daniel Jones, Charlie Brennan, Tiarnan Rogers (0-1), Jack Yorell, John Higgins, Eoghan O’Donnell, Oliver Leonard, Leon Caldwell, Rian McCoole, Ethan Hughes, Sean O’Brien, Con O’Donnell, Jamie Gunning. Mentors - G Dwane, E McSuibhne.
Ratoath SPS - Cian Lyons; Pearse Colwell, Harry Lambe, Joseph Hatch; Brody Monaghan, Corey Lyons, Seán Behan; Lorcan McGowan (0-1, '52'), Cian Flanagan (1-0); Ollie Coulter (0-1), Connor Doyle (0-1 free), Tiarnan O’Connor; Jamie Kelly, Dylan Eade, Stephen Brady. Subs - Conor Eiffe, Ollie Milne, Ollie Coulter, Joseph Hatch, Jake Campbell, Ríoch Nolan, George Ellison, Max Peake, Barra McGowan, Senan Brady, Alex Byrne, Noah McGlynn, Lee O’Connor. Mentor - Niamh Shaw.
Referee - John Byrne (St Columbanus NS, Ballivor).
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