AFTER CRACKING THE Cork senior hurling championship code in 2015, Glen Rovers have now gone one step further.

From 1989 until last year, the Glen hadn’t won a county title but that 26-year wait came to an end with victory over Sarsfields. 

And now Rovers have ended another famine, as yesterday’s gritty win against Patrickswell has propelled them into a first AIB Munster senior club final in 40 years.

Rovers ruled the province in 1964, 1972 and 1976 and now have the chance to add a fourth crown when they face off against surprise packets Ballyea from Clare on November 20, a fixture that’s expected to be pencilled in for Semple Stadium in Thurles.

There were some big moments that got them there at the Gaelic Grounds, as county star Patrick Horgan and goalkeeper Cathal Hickey played key roles.

Hickey’s saves from Thomas O’Brien and Seanie O’Brien in the second half were crucial and Horgan showed incredible leadership to win and convert a free in the 58th minute that put his side ahead for the first time in the game.

Horgan’s radar was off in the first half as he registered three wides. He missed another effort in the second half but the ace forward still finished with eight points, including six frees.

How he managed to win that late free, with three or four Patrickswell players competing for possession, is anybody’s guess but Rovers manager Richie Kelleher has his own views on it.

Source: Tommy Dickson/INPHO

“He’s an inter-county player and he’s very strong.

“He knows where the posts are and he’s going for the jugular.

He doesn’t care what is front of him. The opposition know if they let him go, he’ll put it in the back of the net. That is why he is fouled so often.

“If he was a slighter player, he’d probably get more frees. But because he is so strong, he doesn’t get as many frees as he should. We are mad about him.”

So they should be and at a time when Cork’s inter-county fortunes are at a low ebb, the progression of Glen Rovers to a provincial club final is a timely boost.

Cathal Hickey made big saves at crucial times.

Source: Cathal Noonan/INPHO

Indeed, their victory on Sunday was the first time since 2009 that a Cork team had won a game in the AIB Munster senior club campaign.

Since Newtownshandrum lifted the title seven years ago, the tale of woe read as follows:

• 2010 – De La Salle (Waterford) 0-22 Sarsfields 2-15 (semi-final)
• 2011 – Crusheen (Clare) 0-19 Carrigtwohill 1-10 (semi-final)
• 2012 – Thurles Sarsfields (Tipperary) 2-20 Sarsfields 2-15 (semi-final)
• 2013 – Sixmilebridge (Clare) 1-17 Midleton 1-13 (semi-final)
• 2014 – Kilmallock (Limerick) 3-22 Sarsfields 3-20 (semi-final, a.e.t.)
• 2015 – Ballygunner (Waterford) 0-19 Glen Rovers 1-9 (semi-final)

Kelleher added: “I’m thrilled, to be honest. It wasn’t a great spectacle.

“To get into a Munster final is just unbelievable. It is something I never thought about. I never dreamt about being in a Munster final. It is just unreal for a club like ourselves.

A few years ago, our club was at a serious crossroads. Financially, we were in a huge hole. We didn’t know where we were going as a club hurling-wise.

“To turn all that around and be in a Munster final is just brilliant. We’ve an older parish, a win like this brings young kids in. It brings the club forward. It is magic.”

Glen Rovers hit 9 wides in the first half but were still very much in touch at the break, trailing by 0-4 to 0-7 after playing into the teeth of an icy breeze.

Dave Moriarty takes Glen Rovers through their pre-match warm-up routine.

Source: Tommy Dickson/INPHO

They hung in there and after getting level twice through that man Horgan, he put them ahead at a critical juncture late on.

Kelleher said: “We have left a lot of matches late. We make things difficult for ourselves.

“We had nine wides in the first-half. We do make it very, very hard on ourselves, but we refuse to give in or give up. We always play till the very end. Today we did that and we got over the line.”

And Kelleher reserved a very special word of praise for Hickey’s heroics.

“He’s been doing that for us all year. He did it for us in last year’s (county) final.

Cathal Hickey is a serious goalkeeper. I thought they were two certain goals the way they came through at us. For him to stop both shows his calibre.”

In less than a fortnight, Rovers will need Hickey at his best again when they face a Ballyea side that registered 4-18 against Thurles Sarsfields over the course of 80-plus minutes but in Horgan, they have a bona-fide matchwinner at the other end of the pitch.

For now, though, it’s time to celebrate. And rightly so.

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DUBLIN SENIOR HURLING manager Ger Cunningham has announced his winter training panel ahead of the 2017 season.

There are some big name omissions as former captain Johnny McCaffrey, ex joint-captain Peter Kelly, forward Paul Ryan, Daire Plunkett, Niall Corcoran and Glenn Whelan are deemed surplus to requirements.

It is understood that Shane Durkin has also opted out for next year.

Cunningham’s panel pulls the curtain down on the inter-county careers of many players who starred in the march to 2013 Leinster senior hurling championship glory.

Three years ago, McCaffrey lifted the Bob O’Keeffe Cup as Dublin stormed to provincial championship glory, securing a big win against Galway in the final.

Kelly was also honoured with an All-Star award in 2013 for his defensive exploits but has struggled with injury in recent times.

Peter Kelly is not part of Dublin manager Ger Cunningham’s plans for 2017.

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

Joining the panel of 38 are three members of the 2016 Bord Gáis Energy Leinster U21 winning side – Jonathan Tracey (Na Fianna), Jake Malone (Cuala) and Eoghan Conroy (St. Maurs).

There are also three members of the Leinster minor winning team drafted into the senior ranks, namely Donal Burke (Na Fianna), Cian O’Sullivan (St. Brigid’s) and Paddy Smyth (Clontarf).

Recently defeated county finalists Kilmacud Crokes have two players included – Ronan Walsh, who was a member of the panel previously, and promising young player Fergal Whitely.

Fergal Whitely has earned a call-up to the Dublin senior hurling squad.

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

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Alex Quinn (Crumlin) and Canice Maher (Naomh Jude) were two other players who impressed in the recent club championship and have been handed the opportunity to stake a claim for inclusion when Cunningham whittles down his squad further for Allianz League and championship purposes.

Cunningham is clearly looking to the future with his selection and paid tribute to the players not named in his squad, thanking them for their “massive commitment.”

He said: “It is largely a young squad but, along with our aims of continuing to try and make Dublin hurling successful in the short term, one of our key aims is building a solid foundation for the future.

Ger Cunningham has thanked former panel members for their massive commitment.

Source: Cathal Noonan/INPHO

“With this young squad, and with Dublin winning Leinster Minor and U21 titles this year, we feel we can develop and grow the potential within Dublin hurling.

“To the players not named on the provisional panel, we would like to thank them for their massive commitment to Dublin Hurling. Their service was outstanding.”

Former All-Star Danny Sutcliffe, who opted out for the 2016 campaign, is not included again as he is planning to travel abroad next year.

It is understood that the panel will remain open-ended and that will afford players showing good form and fitness at club level to put their hand up for inclusion later in the season.

The squad in full is: 

Shane Barrett – Na Fianna
Chris Bennett – Faughs
Cian Boland – St Oliver Plunketts/Eoghan Ruadh
Donal Burke – Na Fianna
Tom Connolly – St Vincent’s
Eoghan Conroy – St Maurs
Chris Crummey – Lucan Sarsfields
Conor Dooley – Ballyboden St Enda’s
Eamon Dillon – Naomh Fionnbarra
Oisin Gough – Cuala
James Madden – Ballyboden St Enda’s
Gary Maguire – Ballyboden St Enda’s
Canice Maher – St Jude’s
Jake Malone – Cuala
Sean Moran – Cuala
Rian McBride – St Vincent’s
Cian Mac Gabhann – Kilmacud Crokes
Fiontan McGibb – Setanta
Sean McGrath – Kilmacud Crokes
Niall McMorrow – Ballyboden St Enda’s
Cian O’Callaghan – Cuala
David O’Callaghan – Ballyboden St Enda’s
Darragh O’Connell – Cuala
Eoghan O’Donnell – Whitehall Colmcille
Ryan O’Dwyer – Kilmacud Crokes
Oisin O’Rorke – Kilmacud Crokes
Fionn O’Riain-Broin – St Jude’s
Cian O’Sullivan – St Brigid’s
Alex Quinn – Crumlin
Ben Quinn – Crumlin
Liam Rushe – St Pats
Mark Schutte – Cuala
Paul Schutte – Cuala
Paddy Smyth – Clontarf
David Treacy – Cuala
Jonathan Treacy – Na Fianna
Ronan Walsh – Kilmacud Crokes
Fergal Whitely – Kilmacud Crokes

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Carrickshock 0-13

Tullogher-Rosbercon 0-6

TWO-TIME ALL-Star Richie Power played the entire second-half for Carrickshock as they ran out seven point winners over Walter Walsh’s Tullogher-Rosbercon in the Kilkenny Intermediate Hurling final.

Carrickshock, who lost Kilkenny senior hurling finals in 2010 and 2013, led a low-scoring affair by 0-7 to 0-3 at the interval and powered home in the second-half.

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The newly crowned champions lost John Tennyson to a red card on 42 minutes, but they outscored Tullogher-Rosbercon by 0-4 to 0-1 down the home straight, with county star John Power among those on target.

Kevin Farrell scored five points from placed balls for the victors. Tullogher-Rosbercon scored just twice from play, through All-Star forward Walsh and Liam Barron.

Otherwise they relied on the frees of Cian O’Donaghue to keep them in touch, and that lack of scoring threat from play ultimately cost them.

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Ballyhaunis (Mayo) 2-13
Ahascragh/Fohenagh (Galway) 0-19

EXTRA TIME WAS needed but still could not seperate Galway champions Ahascragh/Fohenagh and Mayo’s Ballyhaunis in the Connacht intermediate hurling final.

The three-in-a-row Mayo champions set up the tie after beating Roscommon side Oran in their semi-final on Wednesday night.

Source: Ballyhaunis Facebook

Ahascragh/Fohenagh led by three points at half time and were five points up twenty minutes into the second half.

Two goals from the Mayo side in the closing minutes gave them a lifeline and forced the game to extra-time.

A point a piece in the first period of ten minutes called for a pulsating finish to the game.

The sides scored just two more points each, as the fixture finished all square at 0-19 to 2-13.

The replay has been fixed for Athleague next Saturday, 12 November.

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REIGNING LEINSTER CHAMPIONS Oulart-The-Ballagh cruised past St Rynagh’s and into the provincial semi-final today.

They did so without a number of key players, with Keith Rossiter and Nicky Kirwan ruled out through injury, while they lost Eoin Moore due to concussion in the first-half.

Veteran Paul Roche compounded matters by picking up a straight red card on 32 minutes.

Despite all that, Oulart were comfortable throughout, running away as 10-point winners. After 18 minutes they were in front by 1-4 to 0-2 thanks a goal from minor star Murtha Doyle.

The Wexford kingpins led by nine at half-time and a late goal from Martin Og Storey wrapped up the 2-13 to 0-9 victory.

St Mullins joined Oulart in the last four after their 2-14 to 1-11 win over Raharney.

Marty Kavanagh played a starring role as the Carlow outfit rallied back from a five-point deficit on 18 minutes to run out six point winners.

After Robbie Greville’s goal midway through the half, St Mullins hit five straight scores to leave matters level at half-time.

James Doyle and Kavanagh found the net for the victors after the break as they stunned their Westmeath counterparts.

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Foxrock Cabinteely (Dublin) 5-10
St Laurences (Kildare) 1-3

FOXROCK CABINTEELY MADE it two Leinster titles in a row as they had a comprehensive victory over St Laurence’s earlier today.

They now face Cora Staunton’s Cornacon in the semi-final.

Source: Foxrock Cabinteely website

St Laurence’s couldn’t handle the south Dublin side as they lead from the get-go and won by an impressive 19 point margin in the end.

Two goals from both Fiona Claffey and Anne Marie Murphy, and one from Ciara Murphy helped the Dublin champions to the provincial title and a place in the All-Ireland semi-final.

It was the early goals that made the difference, as St Laurence’s trailed and Ciara Wheeler’s goal twelve minutes from the end was the only consolation for the Kildare side.

Foxrock Cabinteely now face Cora Staunton’s Cornacon in the semi-final, while Cork’s Mourneabbey and Monaghan side Donaghmoyne face off on the other side of the draw.

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Glen Rovers (Cork) 0-15
Patrickswell (Limerick) 0-14

Jackie Cahill reports from the Gaelic Grounds, Limerick

CORK CHAMPIONS GLEN Rovers are through to a first AIB Munster senior club hurling final since 1976.

Eight points from Patrick Horgan helped the Glen through to a November 20 decider against Clare kingpins Ballyea.

Glen trailed from the start until the 58^th minute, when Horgan won a free despite having to win the ball under pressure from three players, and duly converted from close in.

Conor Dorris added a fine point from the wing for a two-point buffer and while Aaron Gillane converted a free in the second minute of stoppage time for Patrickswell, the clock ran out on the Limerick men.

Glen Rovers, beaten semi-finalists against Ballygunner last year, also had goalkeeper Cathal Hickey to thank for a couple of cracking second half saves to deny first Thomas O’Brien and later Seanie O’Brien.

Glen Rovers’ David Noonan in action against Seanie O’Brien.

Source: Tommy Dickson/INPHO

Limerick star Cian Lynch also had an early opportunity that he flashed wide and on a day when Patrickswell should have had at least two goals, they failed to register a green flag.

But Glen Rovers were wasteful themselves, particularly in the first half when they registered nine of their 13 wides.

They still managed to do enough, becoming the first Cork club to win a game in the provincial competition since Newtownshandrum won the 2009 final.

At half-time, in front of 2761 spectators on a bitterly cold afternoon, Rovers were 0-4 to 0-7 adrift but had played against the breeze in the opening half.

Patrickswell were moving better but failed to translate some good possession into scores, which left the door open for Rovers after half-time.

After Hickey saved from Thomas O’Brien, Horgan registered a point from play at the other end to kickstart proceedings in the second half but Aaron Gillane’s point had Patrickswell three clear again.

Rovers dug in and were level at nine points each when Horgan clipped over a 39th minute free.

Patrickswell rallied again to move two points clear on three occasions as the scores began to flow freely but Horgan was the man who pulled them level at 0-3 apiece with eight minutes left.

Hickey was called into action again with five minutes left, pushing away Seanie O’Brien’s effort before Lar Considine pulled on the loose ball and put it wide with the goal gaping.

Those were costly missed as, two minutes from time, Horgan somehow managed to engineer a free for himself despite being surrounded by a posse of Patrickswell players and converted for the lead score, 0-14 to 0-13.

Conor Dorris made it a two-point game with a glorious score from the touchline before Patrickswell gave themselves a glimmer of hope when their leading scorer Gillane was on target with a free in the second minute of stoppage time.

But the clock ran out on Gary Kirby’s charges and Glen Rovers will now aim for a first Munster senior club title since 1976 in a fortnight’s time, when they face Clare kingpins Ballyea in a novel decider.

Scorers for Glen Rovers: Patrick Horgan 0-8 (6f), Dean Brosnan, Conor Dorris & David Busteed 0-2 each, Donal Cronin 0-1.

Scorers for Patrickswell: Aaron Gillane 0-6 (4f), Diarmaid Byrnes 0-3 (2 65s, 1f), Thomas O’Brien 0-2, Cian Lynch, Jack Kelleher & Kevin O’Brien 0-1 each.

 Glen Rovers

1. Cathal Hickey

2. Calvin Healy
3. Stephen McDonnell
4. Gavin Moylan

5. David Dooling
6. Brian Moylan
7. Graham Callanan (c)

8. Donal Cronin
9. David Noonan

10. Dean Brosnan
11. Patrick Horgan
12. David Cunningham

13. Conor Dorris
14. Cathal O’Brien
15. David Busteed

Subs:
18. Brian Phelan for O’Brien (44)

Patrickswell

1. Brian Murray

4. Neil Carmody
3. James Mann
2. Thomas Nolan

5. Mark Carmody
6. Diarmaid Byrnes
7. Nigel Foley

12. Jack Kelleher
9. Barry Foley

10. Aaron Gillane
11. Seanie O’Brien
8. Cian Lynch

15. Thomas O’Brien (c)
14. Kevin O’Brien
13. Lar Considine

Subs:
17. John Flynn for Barry Foley (48)
18. Peter Harty for Considine (58)

Referee: Rory McGann (Clare)

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Ballyea 4-18
Thurles Sarsfields 2-22

SEVEN DAYS ON from a first ever Clare hurling title, Ballyea are only 60 minutes away from a provincial crown after a truly inspirational fightback in Cusack Park this afternoon.

Seven points in arrears nearing the final ten minutes, the hosts would somehow reel in the three-in-a-row Tipperary champions thanks to the leadership of Tony Kelly and a last gasp equalising goal from Gary Brennan to force extra-time.

And with momentum firmly behind them, Ballyea would complete the dramatic recovery as Damien Burke and Padraic Maher traded goals before county final hero Niall Deasy fired the last two points to maintain their historic run.

It was also a blistering start, lit up by Ballyea’s route one deliveries that yielded goals through Kelly from a penalty and Pearse Lillis by the sixth minute.

It forced Thurles Sarsfields to move Ronan Maher back to full-back to curb target man Brennan and along with the growing influence of his brother Padraic, the Tipperary champions began to settle.

Source: Lorraine O’Sullivan/INPHO

They fired two warning shots before Aidan McCormack’s delivery traveled directly to the net in the 13th minute after Lar Corbett had done enough to put off goalkeeper Kevin Sheehan at 2-2 to 1-3.

And it was the spark Sars required as led by the elusive McCormack, they would add a further six points without reply to ease four clear, a margin that they would hold until the break at 1-11 to 2-04.

The second period wasn’t as free-flowing, with a brace of placed balls for either side finally broken with three-in-a-row for the visitors, two from Pa Bourke, to extend their cushion to seven by the 49th minute.

However, Ballyea refused to yield and inevitably it was Kelly who seized control in a superb show of defiance as he raided for four points to slash the deficit to just three by the hour mark.

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The best was yet to come however as a last gasp Jack Browne line ball from defence was caught by Brennan who took on Thurles’ last line before roofing to the net to ensure an additional 20 minutes of action at 1-18 to 3-12.

Source: Lorraine O’Sullivan/INPHO

Kelly added three points to take his tally to 1-10 while substitute Burke’s 67th minute goal handed the Clare winners a four point lead by the midway point.

And while Padraic Maher, now at wing-forward, would gain parity with a 75th minute goal, a resilient Ballyea never faltered as Deasy grabbed the last two points to rapturous celebrations from an almost incredulous home support.

Scorers for Thurles Sarsfields: Pa Bourke 0-9 (6f); Aidan McCormack 1-4; Tommy Doyle 0-3; Padraic Maher 1-0; Conor Lanigan 0-2; Ronan Maher, John Maher, Michael O’Brien, Stephen Cahill 0-1 each.

Scorers for Ballyea: Tony Kelly 1-10 (1-0 Pen, 3f, 1’65); Niall Deasy 0-5 (3f, 1’65); Pearse Lillis, Damien Burke 1-1 each; Gary Brennan 1-0; ; Pat Joe Connolly 0-1.

Thurles Sarsfields:

1. Patrick McCormack

2. Stephen Maher
5. Stephen Lillis
4. Rory Dwan

7. Denis Maher
6. Padraic Maher (Captain)
3. Ronan Maher

8. John Maher
9. Stephen Cahill

10. Billy McCarthy
11. Aidan McCormack
15. Tommy Doyle

14. Lar Corbett
12. Pa Bourke
13. Conor Lanigan

Subs:

20. Michael O’Brien for Lanigan (49)
21. Kevin Dunne for Doyle (58)
19. David Kennedy for Lillis (60 + 1)
26. Cathal Moloney for Corbett (60 + 2)
14. Corbett for Moloney (60)
5. Lillis for Dunne (60)
13. Lanigan for J. Maher (60)
8. J. Maher for Lanigan (70)
26. Moloney for Kennedy (73)
17. Michael Cahill for Corbett (75)

Source: Lorraine O’Sullivan/INPHO

Ballyea:

1. Kevin Sheehan

2. Joe Neylon
3. Jack Browne
4. Brian Carrigg

5. Gearoid O’Connell
6. Paul Flanagan
7. James Murphy

8. Tony Kelly
9. Stan Lineen (captain)

10. Niall Deasy
11. Gary Brennan
12. Cathal Doohan

13. Pat Joe Connolly
14. Martin O’Leary
15. Pearse Lillis

Subs

18. Damien Burke for O’Leary (5, inj)
19. David Egan for Carrigg (11, in)
23. Aonghus Keane for Connolly (47)
22. Francie Neylon for Egan (60 + 4)

Referee: Diarmuid Kirwan (Cork)

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Cuala (Dublin) 4-16
Borris/Kilcotton (Laois) 1-14

RISING DUBLIN FOOTBALL star Con O’Callaghan steered Cuala to the semi-finals of the AIB Leinster club SHC with a whopping 4-3 haul at Parnell Park.

The speedy attacker featured in this year’s Championship for back to back title winners Dublin though is a quality hurler too as he displayed again.

A dual Leinster finalist at minor level in 2014, O’Callaghan racked up 3-3 in the first-half alone to all but kill off Borris-Kilcotton.

It was a tough first foray into their province for the Laois representatives who only won their first county title recently after amalgamating in 2011.

O’Callaghan, the only sub used by Cuala in the county final, was a late addition to the lineup and wasted no time in getting on the score trail.

He hit goals after eight and 10 minutes and added a third before the break to put Mattie Kenny’s men 14 clear at that stage, 3-11 to 0-6.

Cuala were favourites to win and a clear path has opened up for them to return to the provincial decider after losing there to Oulart-The Ballagh last year.

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Free-taker David Treacy and Cian Waldron contributed 10 points between them before substituted while O’Callaghan was also withdrawn late on.

O’Callaghan after the game.

Source: Colm O’Neill/INPHO

But not before the man who hit 1-7 for Dublin in this year’s Leinster U-21 football final win over Kildare added his fourth goal.

That came in the 41st minute and knocked the stuffing out of the Laois men who had raised a mini-rally with three points on the trot before that.

Borris-Kilcotton did at least hold O’Callaghan scoreless after that fourth goal and actually won the second-half in scoring terms, adding a late goal from Patrick Whelan who finished with 1-2.

But Cuala advance to the last four of the provincial competition and will face St Mullins of Carlow on November 20 in Carlow.

Scorers for Cuala: Con O’Callaghan 4-3, David Treacy 0-6 (0-5f), Cian Waldron 0-4, Colm Cronin, John Sheanon and Darragh O’Connell 0-1 each.

Scorers for Borris/Kilcotton: ​PJ Scully 0-6 (0-5f, 1 s/l), Patrick Whelan 1-2, Aaron Dunphy and Danny Fitzpatrick 0-2 each, Neil Foyle and Joseph Campion 0-1 each.

Cuala

1. Sean Brennan

2. Oisin Gough
3. Cian O’Callaghan
4. Simon Timlin

7. John Sheanon
6. Paul Schutte
8. Sean Moran

5. Jake Malone
9. Darragh O’Connell

12. David Treacy
11. Colm Cronin
10. Cian Waldron

15. Sean Treacy
24. Con O’Callaghan
14. Mark Schutte

Subs:

18. Shane Stapleton for D Treacy (46)
19. Colum Sheanon for Waldron (50)
20. Brian Fitzgerald for O’Callaghan (55)
17. Ross Tierney for Timlin (55)
22. Naoise Waldron for S Treacy (59)

Borris/Kilcotton

1. Eoin Fleming

3. Steven Finan
4. Brian Stapleton
2. Noel Delaney

9. Colm Stapleton
6. Matthew Whelan
5. Jim Fitzpatrick

7. Patrick Whelan
8. Danny Fitzpatrick

15. Daire Quinlan
11. Joseph Campion
17. Stephen Dunphy

14. PJ Scully
10. Aaron Dunphy
12. Neil Foyle

Subs:
21. Conor Kilbane for Delaney (24)
18. Stephen Phelan for Quinlan (h.t.)
13. Eoin Fitzpatrick for S Dunphy (44)
19. Bill Meade for Finan (44)

Referee: Paud O’Dwyer (Carlow).

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