Glen Rovers complete U21 hurling double with late salvo against St Vincent's

Glen Rovers 3-10 St Vincent’s 1-14

GLEN Rovers collected their second piece of silverware this month, as they were crowned AOS Security Management Solutions Seandún U21 B Hurling champions, as they came from behind to defeat northside neighbours St Vincent’s in the decider at Ballinlough. 

It was a great win for the Blackpool club, having secured the A title recently by beating Douglas and coming in the wake of a Premier 1 minor county. They finished strongly here, outscoring the Saints 1-3 to 0-1 in the closing stages.

The scoreline was reading 1-13 to 2-7 in favour of St Vincent’s when Cian Walsh drilled home a goal with eight minutes remaining, to level matters.  Walsh and St Vincent’s Luke Callanan exchanged pointed frees before Walsh converted two further frees in stoppage time to seal the match for Glen Rovers.

This game was dictated by the wind, as St Vincent’s were on top for lengthy stages in the opening half, while the elements favoured the Blackpool side after the break.

Vincent’s raced into a four-point lead before Aaron Clifford replied with Glen Rovers’ first goal from the edge of the square in the 12th minute.

St Vincent’s replied instantly as Ben Long exposed holes in the Glen Rovers defence to pounce for a goal. They continued to have the Blackpool side pinned back as they tagged on five unanswered points, including two frees by Callanan.

Glen Rovers were awarded a penalty in the 27th minute, but David O’Callaghan’s shot was saved at the expense of a 65, which O’Callaghan converted.

Kieran Kelleher got Glen Rovers’ second goal in the 30th minute before Callanan and O’Callaghan traded pointed frees to leave the half-time scoreline reading 1-11 to 2-3 in favour of St Vincent’s.

With the wind at their backs for the second half, the Blackpool side upped the ante after the interval as Walsh pointed three frees and O’Callaghan also converted a free for Glen Rovers. 

Alec Long replied with a point and Callanan converted his sixth free before the scene was set for a dramatic finale.

Scorers for Glen Rovers: C Walsh 1-6 (0-6 f); D O’Callaghan 0-4 (0-1 65); A Clifford, K Kelleher 1-0 each.

St Vincent’s: L Callanan 0-10 (0-7 f); B Long 1-1; N Stokes, C O’Neill, A Long 0-1 each.

GLEN ROVERS: M Gayfer; Scott Cronin, J Karan, J Murphy; S Corcoran, Sean Cronin, D Wall; D O’Callaghan, C Egan; K Kelleher, T Downey, J Downey; C Hurley, C Walsh, A Clifford.

Subs: C Hughes for Hurley, S Lawlor for Egan (both 36), B Clancy for Scott Cronin (45-47 temp), for Egan (56, inj), Egan for Kelleher (53, inj).

St VINCENT’S: D Clarke; D Butler, B Hornibrook, A Bridgeman; C Lynch, N Stokes, J Price; K Murphy, A Long; L Callanan, S Clarke, JP O’Brien; B Long, C O’Neill, K O’Connor.

Sub: J Barry for O’Brien (45).

Referee: David Daly (Brian Dillon’s).