Killeagh end 29-year wait for East Cork JAHC crown after thrilling replay win over Carraig na bhFear
Patrick Mulcahy, secretary Imokilly GAA, presents the East Cork JAHC trophy to Killeagh captain Davy Kelleher following his team's two point victory over Carraig na bhFear in the replayed final in Castlemartyr. Picture: Howard Crowdy
In a thrilling East Cork Oil Junior A Hurling Championship final replay, Killeagh edged out Carraig na bhFear in Castlemartyr on Saturday.
It looked like the title would be going back to Carraig for the second year in a row after an impressive finish to the first half.
But as he did last week, Sean Meade had something to say about it.
Three points down, Meade took off towards goal. Three Carraig defenders converged on him, but he was unstoppable.
His shot was hooked. It didn’t matter.
The ball dropped and Meade pulled across goal. The Killeagh crowd erupted as the ball hit the net. Level after 46, 2-13 each.
Two points, the first from play and the second from a free – man of the match Barry Walsh moved them two in front with 11 minutes to go.
Carraig na bhFear fought on, but anytime they pointed – Killeagh replied. Three scores each left it 2-18 to 2-16 heading into the final three minutes of added time.
Killeagh’s defence bravely held out – ensuring a Jamesy Kelleher Cup victory for the first time since 1995 after an outstanding contest.
Heartbreak for Carraig who gave everything – especially for Timmy Geaney and Aaron Dorgan who starred on the day.
They matched their opponents from the off and the sides were level, 0-2 apiece after 11 minutes. Carraig will rue missed opportunities as Fionn Murphy was called into action twice for Killeagh, but made two excellent saves.
Once Killeagh got firing, they reeled off four in a row.
The first two from Barry Walsh, before last weekend’s hero Meade got off the mark with a white flag. A ball in from sweeper Jamie Fogarty found Davy Kelleher, and he set up Keane Budds who left it 0-6 to 0-2 after 18 minutes.
Carraig na bhFear fought back as scores from Aaron Dorgan and Oisin Crowley saw their purple patch commence.
Dorgan – who had been excellent clearing the danger in the first half dropped it in to Sean O’Donoghue. The forward got his shot off under pressure, firing Carraig in front after 25 minutes, 1-5 to 0-7.
Three minutes later Killeagh were back in front, as Barry Walsh continued to cause problems from the half-forward line, but in the 29th minute Carraig hit for goal again.
Timmy Geaney gave it Dorgan, and he dropped the ball into O’Donoghue again. Amidst the chaos the forward got a touch on it – but all that mattered was the goal, and a lead of two points.
The Carraig advantage remained intact at the interval, and within two minutes of the restart they had moved four in front – the biggest gap between the teams.
But Killeagh, spearheaded by their minor quartet – as the three outfielders combined for 2-15 of their total haul, fought back.
This time it was Ben Walsh to the fore – as he pressed Carraig goalkeeper Adam Buckley into a mistake, blocking down his clearance and into the net for a goal, 2-9 to 1-11 after 33 minutes.
Carraig kept the pace up and had stretched their lead back out to three – largely thanks to Billy Connolly, who notched an impressive five points from play, two arriving between the Killeagh green flags.
Meade’s incredible solo goal would change the game though, helping Killeagh to a remarkable victory.
Barry Walsh 0-12 (0-9 f), S Meade 1-2, Ben Walsh 1-1, K Budds, J Fogarty, D Motherway 0-1 each.
S O’Donoghue 2-0, B Connolly 0-5, O Crowley (3f), E Flynn 0-3 each, P Sheehan, A Dorgan, J Forde, T Geaney, J Ahern 0-1 each.
F Murphy; D O’Brien, G Walsh Wallace, P Leahy; A Morrison, C Fitzgibbon, R Treacy; Ben Walsh, M Fitzgerald; J Fogarty, K Budds, D Motherway; Barry Walsh, D Kelleher, S Meade.
M Murphy for Motherway (35), D Landers for Kelleher (46), P Mackie for Budds (53).
A Buckley; T O’Donoghue, F Murphy, P Geaney; M Ahern, A Dorgan, T Geaney; John Forde, C Hayes; B Connolly, E Flynn, J Ahern; P Sheehan, S O’Donoghue, O Crowley.
James Forde for Crowley (49), C Murphy for Hayes (53), D Foley for O’Donoghue (59).
Pa Beausang (Midleton)
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