Williams drives Collinstown side on to victory

Cumann na mBunscol Westmeath Hurling Division 1 final: St Mary’s NS, Collinstown 3-8, St Mary’s NS, Raharney 0-12

A strong finish enabled St Mary’s NS, Collinstown to edge out St Mary’s NS, Raharney in a very exciting Division 1 hurling final in TEG Cusack Park on Monday week last.

There was very little between two well-drilled sides in the first half, albeit the eventual losers were never headed. The Deelside outfit edged the first moiety by 0-7 to 0-5.

Raharney’s points were shared between Tom Shaw (four) and the ebullient Cian McKeogh (three). The red and white-clad side responded with scores from the sticks of the outstanding Conor Williams (four, the first three of them from frees) and Sean Murray (whose point rounded off first half scoring).

A Shaw brace (a ‘35’ and open play) increased Raharney’s advantage, but Williams’ goal left his side trailing by the bare minimum. Point exchanges ensued between McKeogh and Williams (a ‘35’), and the same two players (both from play).

However, goals from Dylan Murtagh and Williams nudged Collinstown five points clear. A riveting game ended with Shaw (a free) and Jamie Williams trading points.

After the match, Cumann na mBunscol chairman, Derek Butler presented the trophy to the winning captain, Conor Williams.

Scorers – Collinstown NS: C Williams 2-6 (0-3f, 0-1 ‘35’), D Murtagh 1-0, S Murray and J Williams 0-1 each. Raharney NS: T Shaw 0-7 (1f, 1 ‘35’), C McKeogh 0-5.

St Mary’s NS, Collinstown panel: Colm O’Rourke, Tyler Moore, Shane Murray, Sean Murray, Oisín O’Farrell, Jamie Williams, Conor Williams (capt.), Richie Hogan, Michael McArdle, Dylan Murtagh, Sam Clerkin, Victor Banaszak, Seth Walsh, Jack Kelly, Lorcan Fagan, Liam Costello, Alfie O’Farrell, Ryan Dempsey, Tadhg Murtagh, Kyle Moore, Killian McCabe, Morgan McMullan, Oliver Hogan.

St Mary’s NS, Raharney panel: Justin Small, Ruaidhrí Fleming, Cian McGee, Cody Flynn, Cillian McGee, Cian McKeogh, Tom Shaw (capt.), Dylan Gammell, Cadan Core, Hugh Kennedy, Adam Croash, Aaron Mulvaney, Noah O’Brien, Billy Farrell, Dermot Kavanagh.

Ref: Barry Kelly (St Oliver Plunkett’s).

Player of the match: Conor Williams (St Mary’s NS, Collinstown).