Tullaroan had the dream start in this St Canice’s Credit Union Senior Hurling relegation final held in Callan at the weekend. Both teams battled it out to see who would remain in senior level for 2010.
These sides have met on many occasions down the years and like before gave an exciting display of hurling. Shane Hennessy gave Tullaroan the perfect start two minutes into the game when he was awarded a penalty. In typical Hennessy style he drove an unstoppable shot to the back of the Young Ireland’s net. This score was quickly followed up with a super play from Padraig Walsh who added their second goal within minutes. Dick Carroll got the Gowran men on the score sheet with a well take point. However at this stage it was 2-2 to Tullaroan to a single point to the Gowran men. However the Young Irelands side came back into the game close to the short whistle. Thomas Drennan stepped up to the mark and rounded the defence to score a cracker. Gowran were now back in contention. At half time 2-12 to 1-1.
The second half started in determined fashion from both teams. Second half points came from Sean Kehoe, Thomas Drennan, and David Carter which gave Young Ireland’s the lead, but a Shane Hennessy hat-trick levelled the game with 12 minutes left (2-10 to 1-13 ). A Paul Holden free gave Gowran the lead again, but their place in the senior hurling ranks seemed in danger when Hennessy scored three more points to leave Tullaroan 2-13 to 1-14 ahead with time running out.
This was a nailbiting finish with only one point in it compliments of a Paul Holden 65. With time ticking and tensions building JJ Lennon saved the day and scored a point for Gowran to send the game to a replay.
Teams and scorers:
Young Irelands: Martin Carey, Ciaran Carroll, Michael Walsh, Martin Carter, JJ Lennon (0-1 ), James Fitzgerald, Sean Kehoe (0-1 ), Eoghan Farrell, David Carter (0-1 ), Paul Holden (0-7 ), Stephen Byrne, Ollie Carter, Paul Kehoe, Thomas Drennan (1-3 ), Dick Carroll (0-3 ). Subs: Charlie Carter, Thomas Carroll.
Tullaroan: Richard Butler, Paddy Campion, Ken Coogan, Stephen Dowling, David Dowling, Stephen Maher, Tommy Walsh (0-1 ), Martin Walsh (0-2 ), Chris Maher, Mark Simpson (0-1 ), Shane Hennessy (1-8 ), Jimmy Coogan, Paul Doheny, Michael Walsh, Padraig Walsh (1-1 ). Subs: Paul Glennon, Ned Sweeney for Doheny, Richie Cleere, Mark Walsh for Sweeney.
Ref: Domo Connolly (Mooncoin ).
