Donoughmore finish with a flourish to beat Dripsey and land first Muskerry hurling title

Donoughmore 1-20 Dripsey 1-18 

Donoughmore secured the MJK Oils Muskerry Junior A Hurling Championship title for the very first time in their history after a mesmerising final against Dripsey.

On this particular Halloween, Donoughmore secured the ultimate treat. In a similar fashion to their sensational Mid Cork football success 12 months ago, this hurling decider was dramatically decided in second-half stoppage time.

There were many inspirational Donoughmore displays. None more than captain Colm O’Callaghan, who led the way with an impressive 0-10 to his name.

When Dripsey won their only Mid Cork title to date in 2008, they went on to end the campaign as All-Ireland junior champions. For large spells here, it looked as though it was going to go their way. But Donoughmore had other ideas.

Both sides commenced full of determination and hunger from the outset. Drispey held a 0-5 to 0-3 midway through the opening half, with Eoghan Maher and Ronan Canavan pointing.

Donoughmore kept in touch, with O’Callaghan proving from the early stages and throughout to be highly accurate in splitting the posts.

But it was Dripsey that held the advantage at 0-11 to 0-8 at the conclusion of a competitive and gripping opening half.

With their determination to secure a maiden Muskerry hurling crown in clear evidence, Donoughmore commenced brightly at the start of the second half and led 1-11 to 0-12 on 35 minutes, with Liam O’Sullivan clinically getting a goal after dashing through the Dripsey defence.

Dripsey came back once more with another purple patch, which was capped off by a David O’Sullivan goal, who controlled well before blasting to the net.

When Michael O’Riordan pointed to put Dripsey ahead 1-18 to 1-14 on 47 minutes, they appeared in firm control of their destiny. This Donoughmore side can never be counted out of any fight, getting the last six scores to ensure there were wild scenes of celebration at the full-time whistle.

When David McDonnell pointed to put Donoughmore ahead, the main stand in Cloughduv was shaking with excitement, with Paddy Murphy adding a very late insurance score.

Donoughmore now face Diarmuid Ó Mathúnas in the county semi-final. Manager Barry Holland and his players can bask in the glow of this win for now, having written their names into parish folklore.

Scorers for Donoughmore: C O’Callaghan 0-10 (0-9 f), L O’Sullivan 1-0, D McDonnell, P Murphy 0-3 each, K O’Connell, S Barrett, D O’Connell, D Lawton 0-1 each.

Dripsey: R Canavan 0-7 (0-3 f, 0-2 65), D O’Sullivan 1-1, E Maher, M O’Riordan 0-4 each, G Feeney 0-2.

DONOUGHMORE: S Sexton; M Foley, D Looney, R Honohan; F Honohan, S O’Hanlon, M Lucey; K O’Connell, A Dinan; S Barrett, L O’Sullivan, D Holland; D McDonnell, C O’Callaghan, P Murphy.

Subs: D O’Connell for Holland (39), J Twomey for Lucey (41), T Murphy for Dinan, D Morrissey for Barrett (both 53), D Lawton for O’Callaghan (57).

DRIPSEY: D O’Riordan; Cathal O’Connell, J Carey, S Manley; D O’Sullivan, M O’Connell, Colm O’Connell; K Rock, S O’Riordan; R Canavan, E Maher, G Feeney; C O’Callaghan, M O’Sullivan, M O’Riordan.

Subs: D O’Sullivan for S O’Riordan (34), J Cotter for C O’Connell (54), K Kelleher for Feeney (58), J Casey for Carey (64) 

Referee: Niall Hayes (Blarney).