Morley the hero as Rathwire stage incredible comeback
St Joseph's Rathwire 3-3 St Colman's NS 2-5
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The Rathwire side who won the Div 2 hurling final.Image 2 of 5
The St Colman’s team, runners-up in the Div 2 hurling final.Image 3 of 5
Rathwire captains Liam Tifft and Dylan Morley raise the trophy following their side’s victory.Image 4 of 5
Josh Carr Markey of St. Colman’s is tackled by Dylan Morley of Rathwire NS. JOHN_MC_CAULEYImage 5 of 5
Liam Tifft, Rathwire NS, gets away from Devin Pentony, St Colman’s. JOHN_MC_CAULEYIn contrast to the splendid sunshine of the opening day, the action got under way in a downpour on Tuesday as St Colman’s faced St Joseph’s Rathwire in the Division 2 hurling final. After 15 minutes, St Colman’s led by 2-4 to 0-1, but after a terrific fightback St Joseph’s snatched victory in thrilling fashion.
After Páidí Slevin struck the upright from a free, his St Colman’s side fell behind as a pointed free from Dylan Morley gave Rathwire the advantage. However, Finn Jacob found the net when he latched on to a long ball having been left unmarked. An excellent strike from Eddie Leavy dissected the posts to increase their lead and Jacob linked up with Donagh Andrews, who scored their second point. Páidí Slevin’s nice solo run ended with him firing over as St Colman’s led by five points after 10 minutes.
Despite being under pressure, Eddie Leavy shot over as the Mullingar side pressed on. Páidí Slevin’s strong run and powerful finish found the net for their second major on 15 minutes and they were nine points clear. Before the break, a long dropping delivery was won in the air by Darragh McGauran, who finished to the net from close range.
At half-time, St Colman’s were leading by 2-4 to 1-1.
Only a fine save by Harry Brennan denied TJ Loughlin a Rathwire goal when play resumed; the Rathwire renaissance continued as a Dylan Morley free went over. St Colman’s were wasteful and Loughlin’s great run led to a Darragh McGauran goal. Loughlin was left flattened by a late challenge, but St Joseph’s continued to push and Dylan Morley scored a wonderful point from a difficult free. Morley was then at the end of a scramble close to goal and his low first-time strike found the net to give St Joseph’s a two-point lead (3-3 to 2-4) with two minutes remaining.
A frantic finish ensued as St Colman’s cut the led to the minimum, but a late Slevin free dropped short and the final whistle sounded.
Afterwards, Derek Butler chairman of Cumann na mBunscol Iarmhí presented the cup to Rathwire captains Dylan Morley and Liam Tifft.
Scorers - St Joseph’s: D McGauran 2-0, D Morley 1-3 (0-3f). St Colman’s: P Slevin 1-2 (0-1f), Finn Jacob 1-0, E Leavy 0-2, D Andrews 0-1.
St Joseph’s: Caleb Mooney, Ben Leavy, Eoghan Heffernan, Liam Tifft, Dylan Morley, Conal Kent, James Monaghan, Darragh McGauran, TJ Loughlin, Robert Rowley, Caoimhínn Darby, Ivan Pohmelnihs, Joseph Kiernan Duncan, Patrick Heffernan, Liam Kent, Domhnall Smyth, Conor Dixon.
St Colman’s: Harry Brennan, Josh Carr Mackey, Conor Walters, Adam Mulligan, Eddie Leavy, Páidí Slevin, Devin Pentony, Darragh Andrews, Finn Jacob, Dylan Thornton, Kealan Sweeney, Jack Sheehy, Damien Prokhorchuk, Rían Bar, Brody Fadian.
Referee: Antoinette Savage (Crookedwood).