St Finbarr's U21 hurlers target county crown after first City Division triumph since 1997

Any time you win a City Division championship is always a good night, but for St Finbarr’s it was a little bit extra special this week.

They won the PharmaCare City Division U21 A hurling championship for the first time since 1997, defeating Glen Rovers in the final by two points, 1-15 to 0-16.

The large crowd present were treated to a quality game which saw the Barrs start much the better of the two side and race into a 0-8 to 0-1 lead, led by the likes of Ben Cunningham and Player of the Game, William Buckley.

But the defending champions came back in style, led by Stephen Lynam, who finished with 12 points of their tally, to put only one between them by half-time.

A minute into the second half and Lynam and the sides were level, but the Barrs responded and when Conor O'Donoghue scored the only goal there was only going to be one winner.

They now have a bye to the county semi-final, where they are paired with whoever wins between Shandrum, the Avondhu winners, and the Muskerry champions, either Éire Óg or Ballincollig.

Afterwards selector Eoin Keane was delighted with the win and the response of his side when the Glen came back at them.

“A good night, we got off to a great start and then let the Glen back into the game, I suppose. But we were happy the second-half showing,” said Eoin.

“We had to gather ourselves and get out shape back again after half time and we did that and we worked hard all through. We spoke at half-time that we wouldn't leave each other down and we are just thrilled to get over the line.” 

Every time the Glen got close or back level the Barrs responded with two or three points without reply and Eoin said that was great to see.

“We have a couple of lads that are 17 and playing at different age levels like Junior B and they got the ball our so-called better players and it really made a difference. 

We got scores at the right times and got our noses over the line.” 

A goal from O’Donoghue was a crucial score but one that caught some out as it looked like it was going wide and some stopped. But he didn’t and drove in to score what in the end made the difference between the sides.

“I’d say it was the way the ball was up in the lights and it came down like a stone and just stopped and then Conor picked it up and took his man on and buried it, slipped into the corner for a great goal.” 

BUSY

The Barrs' last win was in 1997 and even though it has been more years than they care to remember Eoin said there won’t be too many celebrations as players are involved in other competitions, including a Junior B one this weekend.

“We will but look there's an awful lot lads playing at different levels, Freshers, Fitzgibbon and Sigerson and we have to mind them. We also have some playing with our Junior B team this weekend in the championship.

There is a county championship and we will give that a right go but we won't be doing much training for the next couple of weeks, we'll just have to get the bodies right and try build on this win.

“We're trying to build a spirit within the group and take every game as it comes and we'll see where it goes."