C'ship glory day for Abbey-knockmoy Minor hurlers

Abbeyknockmoy ..................................2-10 Liam Mellows ......................................0-14 THESE TWO teams served up a most exciting game of hurling in unfavourable conditions in this Pier Head Minor B1 hurling final. This final went back and forth and with 5 minutes remaining, the city lads were two points to the good. But a late onslaught that yielded a goal and a point for Abbeyknockmoy drove them to victory. [private] Liam Mellows were out of the starter's blocks the quicker, and rushed into a 0-2 to 0-0 lead. But a 21-yard free for Abbeyknockmoy got them off the mark and into the lead as the sliotar was crashed to the back of the Mellows net by County minor Paul Flaherty. After that the first half went point for point, although the Abbeyknockmoy lads did bring a two-point lead with them at the interval: Abbeyknockmoy 1-5 to Liam Mellows 0-6. Liam Mellows again were quicker off the mark on the resumption, and three fine unanswered white flags gave them the initiative and a one-point lead. The hurling was intense and both sides gave away nothing easy. The game went point for point until with only 5 minutes remaining the score read Liam Mellows 0-14 to Abbeyknockmoy 1-9. Something was needed fast by Abbeyknockmoy and a series of quick attacks resulted in a Kenneth Garvey goal and point that gave them the winning 2 point lead. Try as they may to get back into the tie, Liam Mellows could just not find a way past the victors' rearguard as the pressure piled on. And so as the referee blew his final whistle, there were scenes of joy amongst the Abbeyknockmoy players, officials, parents and supporters. This was not an easy day to play hurling, but great credit must go to the two panels of Abbeyknockmoy and Liam Mellows for giving it their all, and simply concentrating on the sliotar and all they had practised throughout the year. The game was a sporting one, although one must note that every score and even possession was hard-earned. Disappointment for the city lads who gave it their all and hurled with great spirit and passion. For the victors goes the spoils, and a great win for the Abbeyknockmoy club. When things looked like slipping out of their grasp with five minutes to go, they knuckled down and dug deep, and grabbed a superb late win. Abbeyknockmoy: Adrian McDonnell, Brendan Brennan, Brian Melia, Caolin Blade, Cathal Laheen, Cathal Mannion, Daniel Flaherty, Dean Keary, Jarlath Moran, John Burke, Kenneth Garvey, Matthew Mills, Noel Garvey, Paul Cooley, Seán Miller, Shane King, Stephen Joyce, Kevin Divilly. Paul Flaherty, Craig Kennedy, Colm Mannion, Eanna Roche, Eoin Loftus, Alan Devane, Mike O'Brien, Tom Warde and Cian Murphy. Manager, Keith Ruane; selectors: Aidan Flaherty and Brian Cooley. First aid, Michael Coleman and Seamus McWalter Liam Mellows: Conor Tierney, James Fahy, John Elwood, John O'Halloran, Kieran Reilly, Seán Sylver, Andrew Foy, Colm Leen, Michael Williams, Conor Doherty, Harry Goulding, Jake Gallagher, Stephen Collins, Adrian Morrissey, Eoghan Croaker, Michael Conneely, Jack Hastings, Kevin Lee, David Doyle, Garron Byrnes, Colin McDonogh, Thomas Ward, Cathal Reilly, Garreth Hughes, Enda Fallon, Ronan Elwood. Manager, Niall Elwood; selectors Jimmy Elwood, Gary Walsh, Martin Tierney, Mike Forde. [/private]