Late Nathan Goulding free secures league title for Glen Rovers against St Vincent's

Glen Rovers 2-19 St Vincent’s 4-12

Glen Rovers were crowned AOS Security Division 1 Hurling League champions after a highly entertaining game at Ballinlough on Saturday night.

It took a late free from Nathan Goulding to separate the sides as Vincent’s staged a superb comeback when it looked like they were gone.

There was some confusion at the end as Glen supporters thought they had scored, but it was called back as the keeper had taken the puck-out from outside the square. But they didn’t panic and worked the ball up the field again to get the vital score deep into injury time to win.

Adam Lordan put the Glen in front, with Goulding doubling their lead. They were 0-3 to no score up when Glenn Kennefick pointed.

But Vincent’s were back on level terms when Sean Daly set up Luke Callanan for the game’s opening goal.

Two more Goulding, along with points from Kennefick and Owen O’Neill stretched the Glen’s lead again, to make it 0-7 to 1-0.

Callnan pointed from a free for Vincent’s, before he turned provider for Daly to set up their second goal.

Again the Glen responded in style, with Goulding hitting two more and Dylan Long another pair, as they were 0-12 to 2-1 in front after 25 minutes.

A brilliant ball, from inside his own half, by Scott Cronin, played Long in for the Glen’s opening goal as they stretched their lead further.

Callnan hit another point for Vincent’s, before Daly got their third goal, to make it 1-12 to 3-2.

Ryan Long added a point for the Glen, with Callnan and Aaron O’Donoghue scoring for Vincent’s. But late on Jack Kennefick kicked the ball to the net for the Glen, as they led by 2-13 to 3-4 at half-time.

Callnan and Daly got early second-half points for Vincent’s, with O’Neill and Dylan Long on target at the other end.

With 45 minutes gone, Glen were leading by 2-17 to 3-9, but another goal from Callnan put only two points between the sides. With six minutes to go it was a one-point game, when Callnan scored.

As the game headed into injury time two points from Callnan had the sides level before the late score from Goulding secured the Glen's win.

Scorers for Glen Rovers: N Goulding 0-8 (0-4 f, 0-1 65), D Long 1-3, J Kennefick 1-0, R Long, G Kennefick, O O’Neill (f) 0-2 each, A Lordan, K Kelleher 0-1 each.

St Vincent’s: L Callnan 2-7 (0-1 f), S Daly 2-1, A O’Donoghue 0-4 (0-3 f, 0-1 65).

GLEN ROVERS: J Goulding; S Cronin, A Evans, D Dunlea; E O’Sullivan, K McCarthy Coade, K Kelleher; A Lordan, G Kennefick; R Long, O O’Neill, N Goulding; C O’Brien, D Long, J Kennefick.

Subs: D O’Callaghan for G Kennefick (13 inj), J Murphy for S Cronin (ht), D O’Callaghan for C O’Brien (57).

St VINCENT’S: D Clarke; A Sorenson, E O’Brien, D Butler; C Lynch, K Murphy, A Harte; C O’Neill, K Sorenson; B Hornibrook, C O’Neill, J O’Donovan; K O’Connor, L Callanan, S Daly.

Subs: A O’Donoghue for K O’Connor (27), T Broderick for C O’Neill (38), R Fielding for C Lynch (42). J O’Mahoney for C O’Neill (50), C Desmond for B Hornibrook (57).

Referee: Niall Fahy (Brian Dillons).