Shandrum U21 hurlers reel in Mallow to collect fourth Avondhu title in a row

Shandrum 2-12 Mallow 0-13 

Shandrum collected their fourth Avondhu U21 A Hurling title in a row at Milford in heavy conditions when they overcame Mallow after a very tough test.

It was a game that Shandrum were expected to win but they got a real battle from a very young Mallow side, who had the game's most dangerous forward in Cork U20 John Murphy, who landed 0-11, six from play.

In the end, the experience of the winners made the difference as well as their better scoring spread and the long-range free-taking of goalkeeper Daniel O'Connell.

Christopher Dunne opened with an early free before Andrew Hourigan levelled in the fourth minute. A booming free by O'Connell was followed by John Murphy's first point for Mallow: 0-2 each.

Eoin O'Mahony put Shandrum ahead but Murphy clipped two scores in a row and then Simon Lenighan made it 0-5 to 0-3 for Mallow.

Murphy continued to keep the scoreboard ticking while Dunne converted 65.

Unfortunately for the underdogs, in wet weather, a long-range free by O'Connell found its way to the net to level 1-5 to 0-8.

Murphy split the posts with another free to put Mallow ahead in the second half before Shandrum's second goal in the 41st minute, when a massive delivery by keeper Daniel O'Connell found Killian Quinn, who netted: 2-5 to 0-9.

From there, Shandrum defended very well with Bill Collins later named Man of the Match after an outstanding display at centre-back. They were 2-8 to 0-9 in front entering the final quarter and while Murphy landed two more points, the Newtown-Dromina combination had enough to maintain control.

Scores by Daire Ryan, Cork U20 Johnny Murphy and O'Connell sealed the win. Mallow battled to the end but they needed a goal to have any chance.

Shandrum were deserving victors and after the game, Avondhu chairman John Courtney presented the cup to the winning captain Killian Quinn.

Scorers for Shandrum: C Dunne 0-5 (0-4 f, 0-1 65), D O'Connell 1-2 f, K Quinn 1-1, J Murphy, R Troy, D Ryan, E O'Mahony 0-1 each.

Mallow: J Murphy 0-11 (0-5 f), A Hourigan, S Lenighan 0-1 each.

SHANDRUM: D O'Connell; E Sheedy, T McCarthy, S O'Leary; D Ryan, B Collins, S O'Mahony; J Hogan, B Carroll; J Murphy, R Troy, T O'Neill; C Dunne, K Quinn, E O'Mahony.

Subs: L Coughlan for T O'Neill, J D Egan for K Quinn (inj).

MALLOW: S Kelleher; B Taylor, G Daly, D Kingston; D Fleming, B Kingston, E Walsh; L Buckley, A Murphy; B Murphy, J Murphy, S Copps; A Hourigan, S Lenighan, B Noonan.

Subs: D Copps for D Fleming, L Malone for S Lenighan, L Walsh for B Murphy.

Referee: Denis Motherway (Ballygiblin).