Medtronic junior hurlers narrowly lost by 0-13 to 1-8 to a strong Limerick Prison Officers/CLG amalgamation in the All Ireland junior hurling final in Ardrahan.
Although Medtronic led for most of the contest, it was the Limerick men who finished stronger in the final quarter, outscoring the home side by four points to one.
In a keenly-contested match played in ideal conditions, Medtronic held the advantage for long stages, thanks to an early Declan Connolly goal from a 20 metre free.
Jason O’Connor had fired over a point within the opening three minutes before the deadly accurate Niall Maher landed an effort from 80 metres to kick start the Prison Officers account. He added another in the ninth minute before Connolly’s goal put the Galway side ahead.
Both sides exchanged points early in the second quarter - Medtronic with a brace from Patrick Carr before they opened up a three-point advantage when John Holland fired over. However two late Maher frees left the minimum between the sides at the interval, 1-04 to 0-6.
Medtronic started the second half the brighter when Ger Burke edged Medtronic two clear again before a fine move involving Martin Corcoran and Dave O’Gorman set up John Holland for a terrific score.
Medtronic appeared in control, but were unable to put daylight between the sides, and the Prison Officers’ cornerback Alan Dempsey soloed upfield to land a fine score before James Ryan brought the margin down to one.
Although Wayne Walsh edged Medtronic two clear again from a placed ball, the Treaty men gained a stranglehold when points from Diarmuid Burns and Dara Stapleton levelled the contest.
As the match slipped away from Medtronic, points in quick succession from Burns and James Ryan left the winners two up with five minutes to go, and they ran out deserving winners with a 65’ from Richie McCarthy. Wayne Walsh had a late consolation score for Medtronic, but there was no way back for the Galway men.
Medtronic: K Egan, P Flaherty, M Dermody, M Ryan, M Dunne, M Corcoran, S Collier, G Burke (0-1 ), W Walsh (0-2, 1 free ), J Holland (0-2 ), D Connolly (1-0, free ), P Carr (0-2 ), J O’Gorman(0-1 ), C Burke, D O’Gorman. Subs: J Canny, D McHugh, S Craven.
