Russell Rovers fall to All-Ireland defeat as first half goal proves costly
Brian Harnett of Russell Rovers in action against Shane Dawson of St Lachtain's during the AIB GAA Hurling All-Ireland Junior Club Championship final match between St Lachtain's of Kilkenny and Russell Rovers of Cork at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
An improved performance no doubt, but no glory for Russell Rovers. Another heartbreaking defeat against a Kilkenny champion, five years apart.
Russell Rovers fell to defeat against Kilkenny’s St Lachtain’s in the AIB All-Ireland Junior Club Hurling Championship final in Croke Park on Sunday.
In truth the first half goal meant Rovers had work to do. Despite their efforts, they still trailed by seven with 10 minutes to go.
Dreams hanging by a thread. They battled on.
A brace of points from Luke Duggan Murray offered a sliver of hope. A free from Josh Beausang heading into the red ensured Rovers had an outside chance. Two minutes added time.
Another Beausang free, 110 seconds to go. Three-point game.
One mistake. Darragh Maher fired over. Dreams crushed.
Lachtain’s restored a four-point advantage and with that killed the game. A free from Brennan made sure of the result.
In truth, Rovers were second best. Lachtain’s game plan worked a treat. The success Brian Hartnett and Beausang enjoyed en route to Croke Park was non-existent here.
Brian Kennedy operating as the sweeper, with corner-back Simon Rafter immense in dealing with Beausang.
Rovers’ forwards were deprived of oxygen.
A cagey opening quarter with Beausang thrice pointing from frees meant the sides were level. Paddy Killeen’s strike on 18 minutes nudged the Kilkenny champions in front for the first time.
They were quickest to settle, and from there they took flight.
Within the space of thirty seconds Russell Rovers’ deficit went from one to five, as Cathal O’Leary sent over an excellent point before the only goal of the game arrived moments later.
A high ball in from former Kilkenny senior Brian Kennedy was touched on by Liam Hickey at the edge of the square – and with Shane Donnelly making an unmarked run in behind, he couldn’t have asked for a simpler finish.
That left the east Cork side with ground to make up, 1-5 to 0-3.
They responded with Ciarán Sheehan popping one over, before he assisted Beausang as Rovers hit their first couple of scores from play in the 24th minute.
A third Rovers white flag arrived from James Kennefick, wearing 4 but playing on the wing. His effort reduced arrears to two.
The Freshford side were able to stretch their lead back out to four, but it was time for Rovers’ other wing-back to get on the scoresheet. Fintan Murray’s point on the stroke of half time saw Dorgan’s charges enter the break a goal behind, 1-7 to 0-7.
They were evenly matched on the restart, as Hickey scored the Kilkenny outfit’s first point from placed balls to leave it 1-10 to 0-10 after 36 minutes.
Lachtain’s lead was stretched to six after 40 minutes – as wing-back Cathal Hickey had his point sandwiched by two from Liam Hickey.
The first a stunning over the shoulder strike, the latter a brilliant sideline cut from beyond the 20-metre line.
Brian Hartnett came dangerously close to goaling for Rovers – but he couldn’t pick the ball in time and had to settle for a kick, which was well stopped by Brennan.
A moment that would prove costly.
Former Kilkenny senior James Maher made his mark with a point to stretch the lead to seven after 44 minutes, before testing Ross Walsh’s reflexes 60 seconds later – but the Imokilly panellist made a successful stop.
While Rovers did manage to reduce the deficit late on – it was too great an ask.
But they can be proud of their journey once again. Third time’s the charm, as they say.
S Donnelly 1-1, A Rafter, L Hickey (0-1 f, 0-1 sdl) 0-3 each, J Maher, C Hickey 0-2 each, C O’Leary, P Killeen, B Quinn, M Donnelly, B Kennedy, D Brennan (f), D Maher 0-1 each.
J Beausang 0-8 (0-6 f, 0-1 65), L Duggan Murray 0-2, K Moynihan, C Sheehan, J Kennefick, F Murray, J McGrath, M O’Dwyer 0-1 each.
D Brennan; S Rafter, C Bergin (c), S Dawson; P Donnelly, B Kennedy, C Hickey; B Quinn, M Donnelly; A Rafter, P Killeen, C O’Leary; J Maher, S Donnelly, L Hickey.
D Maher for O’Leary (51), J Fitzpatrick for J Maher (52), C Dawson for S Donnelly (57), J Bergin for A Rafter (62).
R Walsh; E O’Sullivan, P Cummins, K Tattan; F Murray, P Lane, J Kennefick; K Walsh, R Cummins; B Hartnett, K Moynihan, D Ruddy; L Duggan Murray, C Sheehan (c), J Beausang.
M O’Dwyer for Lane (28 inj), J McGrath for Ruddy (HT), K O’Brien for Moynihan (57).
P Owens (Down)
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