Newell gives Sylane the edge in extra-time thriller with Pearses

Division 3 title a pre-championship boost for Ronan Higgins' men

Sylane 4-20

Pádraig Pearses 2-25

(after extra-time)

By Oisín Noone

At Duggan Park

AFTER 80 minutes of Sunday's highly entertaining Division 3 Hurling League final in Ballinasloe, the sides remained deadlocked before substitute Conor Newell fired over the winning point to secure silverware for Sylane.

First half goals from John Igoe, Paul Ronan and goalkeeper Jake Hogan, who converted from the penalty spot, helped Ronan Higgins’ side establish a 3-5 to 0-11 interval lead over Pádraig Pearses.

The Gurteen-Ballymacward men took control after the restart, but their tally of wides tally drifted into double figures and ultimately undermined their dominance. A six-point cushion with five minutes remaining proved insufficient as late scores from Keelan Creaven, Sean Newell and Shane Furey forced the contest into extra-time.

From there, Shane Raftery’s charges edged back in front, but three points from play by Sylane midfielder Tom Keane kept the Premier Junior outfit within touching distance. Scores from Diarmuid Fahey, Dean Reilly, Cillian Fahey (two) and Darren Moran were matched by Keane, Creaven and Newell to leave the sides level at 4-17 to 2-23 heading into the final 10 minutes.

A free from Creaven and a classy effort by Igoe made it five unanswered points from Sylane, leaving them two ahead. However, a score from the reintroduced Emmet Ward, followed by Galway U-20 player Jonah Donnellan’s eighth point of the day, appeared to have sent the game towards a penalty shootout.

John Igoe, at the heart of many things good for Sylane, made a crucial breakthrough before putting Conor Newell through with a clear path to goal and a game-winning opportunity. Though Newell stumbled and almost lost possession, he recovered to get a shot away. Diarmuid Fahey had a chance to draw level but was unable to add to his two earlier scores as Newell’s point proved enough for Sylane to emerge victorious from a dramatic, exhausting battle.

Pádraig Pearses started the contest sharply, scoring three points in as many minutes as Reilly (twice) caused problems for Sylane’s full-back line, while Donnellan produced scores from all angles and distances. Along with Reilly and Donnellan, Pearses were heavily reliant on Cillian Fahey for scores, with the trio combining for 1-21 of their side’s 2-25 total.

Sylane soon began to threaten for goals. Creaven struck the post early on before Igoe embarked on a trademark run, firing off the stick with a slick finish to level affairs after seven minutes. Igoe and Reilly then traded points.

Tom Keane regained Sylane’s lead before Igoe assisted Paul Ronan for Sylane’s second major, four minutes after his own. Fahey and Donnellan provided responses for Pearses before Creaven opened his account with a free to make it 2-3 to 0-6 by the first water break.

Sylane captain Oran Martin produced a monster score in response to points from Fahey, before Sean Newell earned a penalty which Jake Hogan converted with a bullet finish. Pearses finished the half strongly, claiming three of the next four scores, while Igoe increased his tally to 1-2.

Pádraig Pearses struck 1-2 with no reply after the restart to propel them to a two-point lead. Reilly provided the goal after a long-range delivery from Donnellan in the 34th minute.

Darragh Mahon, Newell and Hogan (free) struck three consecutive scores to reply strongly for Sylane before they endured a 15-minute scoreless spell.

Diarmuid Fahey added his name to the scoresheet, while Donnellan and Cillian Fahey helped regain the lead for Pearses. Emmet Ward bundled home their second major after 48 minutes before Donnellan stretched the lead to 2-17 to 3-8.

Pádraig Pearses will rue the shooting chances they wasted, failing to put the game to bed when they had the opportunity to do so. Sylane’s late surge included an injury-time goal from Sean Newell after a well-worked team move, forcing extra-time where they narrowly prevailed.

After suffering relegation from Intermediate ranks last year in difficult circumstances, this league victory represents a timely boost for Sylane heading into the championship.

SYLANE: J. Hogan (1-1, 1-0 penalty, 0-1 free); A. Lardner, T. Kenny, R. Monaghan; O. Burke, O. Martin (0-1, captain), B. Igoe; P. Ronan (1-0), T. Keane (0-4); J. Igoe (1-3), K. Creaven (0-5, 0-4 frees), C. Fleming; S. Newell (1-3), C. Burke, D. Mahon (0-1). Subs: S. Furey (0-1), for Lardner (temporary), 1-3 mins; C. Newell, for Mahon (temporary), 17-19 mins; S. Burke, for Monaghan, 45 mins; S. Furey, for C. Burke, 49 mins; E. Sweeney, for Mahon, 56 mins; C. Newell (0-1), for Fleming, 58 mins; R. Carney, for Kenny, 60+2 mins; C. Fleming, for Keane (temporary), 60+4 mins-FT.

PÁDRAIG PEARSES: H. Mitchell; R. Carr, E. Cunniffe, E. Lally; C. Raftery, O. Burke, J. Barrett; J. Donnellan (0-8, 0-3 frees), M. Hennelly (captain); Conor Fahey, R. Flannery, Cillian Fahey (0-9, 0-5 frees); D. Reilly (1-4), E. Ward (1-1), D. Fahey (0-2). Subs: L. Mitchell, for Hennelly (temporary) 11-13 mins; L. Mitchell, for Hennelly, half-time; D. Moran (0-1), for Flannery, 40 mins; C. Hillary, for Carr, 48 mins; K. Beckett, for Ward, 58 mins; E. Ward, for Mitchell, 61 mins; P. Kelly, for Barrett, 64 mins.

REFEREE: John McDonagh.

HERALD SPORT MAN OF THE MATCH: Shared by

Tom Keane (Sylane) & John Igoe (Sylane).