Three reasons the Glen are PSHC champions again
BEHIND CLOSED DOORS: Glen Rovers players celebrate in the dressing room with the Seán Óg Murphy Cup after their win in the Cork Premier SHC decider against St Finbarr's at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile
Even the most basic of clichés can carry some substance and the scoreboard told the story here: the Glen had 22 scores and St Finbarr’s had 23 but some are more equal than others.
Eoin O’Leary had given notice of his menace just before the first goal and in a cagey game it was always going to have a huge effect.
They were thankful to Cathal Hickey at the other end for his vital double-save and O’Leary’s second goal then gave a five-point cushion, enough to absorb the Barrs’ late forays.
O’Leary’s haul of 2-2 meant that he scored more than once from play in all six of the Glen’s championship games this year, scoring 5-13 in all. That and the 2-12 contributed by Simon Kennefick served to give extra dimensions to their attack, meaning that the burden on Patrick Horgan was lightened, though of course his 0-11 in the final featured a characteristically flawless display from placed balls.
By contrast, William Buckley was the only St Finbarr's forward to score from play in the second half.
Of the Glen players who saw game-time on Sunday, Cathal Hickey, Brian Moylan, Dean Brosnan, David Noonan and Patrick Horgan were survivors from the team that ended a 26-year wait for glory in 2015.
In the time since, another title was added in 2016 before three defeats in a row and then the unthinkable relegation before an immediate return.
Such ups and downs served to fortify those involved and ensured the Glen had enough iron in the soul to forge victory.
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