Ringtown's resolve shines through as they hold firm against Raharney

Ringtown 2-12, Raharney 0-17

A fiercely determined Ringtown side captured the All County Hurling League Division 2 title with a narrow victory over Raharney at TEG Cusack Park on Saturday.

Defensively, the Whitehall side put their bodies on the line as Raharney pressed hard in the second half, and in the end, that was perhaps the biggest factor in the outcome. Even allowing for a lack of conviction in the finishing department, Ringtown did enough to win with just a point to spare, and a wonderful long-range strike by midfielder James Boylan proved crucial as they had just fallen behind for the first time in the 60th minute. When the game was in the melting pot, they produced a renewed effort and that got them over the line.

Free-taker Emmet Corrigan notched the winning point and Boylan made a heroic block as Raharney tried to launch a late attack. It was that kind of gritty effort that epitomised the Ringtown display in this final, and it was a delighted team captain Johnny Hardman who accepted the cup from County Committee chairman Frank Mescall afterwards.

Ringtown’s resolve always shone, and they got a crucial second goal when Raharney came storming back in the second half - midfielder Mark Cunningham with the decisive burst and Jason Moran getting the crucial touch when the sliotar came across the face of goal.

Ringtown led by 1-8 to 0-8 at half-time, after a first half that was pretty mundane at best. Johnny Hardman got the Ringtown goal, though it was more by accident than design, the full-forward getting a hurl to Darren Kilcoyne’s long delivery from a free in the seventh minute, and the ball ending up in the net.

Despite some poor shooting that included six wides, and a failure to exploit some decent openings, Ringtown were three points to the good and Raharney managed just two points from play in the opening half, the remainder coming from placed balls by Donie Mullen.

Emmet Corrigan notched five frees for Ringtown and his accuracy was crucial to their position, while Darren Kilcoyne had his moments, including a fine long-range point from play in the first minute.

The second half produced an attritional affair, the quality not of the highest standard, but the level of endeavour from both sides more than making amends. With Donie Mullen impressive from placed balls, and Joe Mulvaney showing real class to send over an outstanding point from a sideline cut in the 40th minute, Raharney got back on level terms.

Ringtown’s response was instant and emphatic as Mark Cunningham charged through the opposing cover and sent the ball across the face of goal where Jason Moran got his stick to the ball, ensuring it crossed the line for a massive goal. Corrigan’s accurate free made it 2-9 to 0-11 in Ringtown’s favour after 41 minutes and they were back in control.

Raharney rallied again through Mullen (a ‘65’ and a free), before substitute Mark Doherty set up Darragh Core for a point. Ringtown earned a contentious free that Corrigan converted with 10 minutes remaining, making it 2-10 to 0-14. But they were pegged back once more, Mullen converting a free.

Raharney attacked with serious intent in the 54th minute and Doherty found Core, who was denied by Ringtown ‘keeper Darragh Moran. The resolute Ringtown defence held firm and while Raharney had another goal chance in the 59th minute, substitute Ryan O’Neill failed to get maximum power in his shot and Moran kept it out before they won a relieving free. Mullen’s free levelled matters and he then pointed from play to give the Deelsiders the lead for the first time, 0-17 to 2-10, in the final minute.

Just when they seemed destined to add the Division 2 title to their Division 1 success the previous week, up stepped Ringtown midfielder James Boylan to score a wonder point from 70 metres. And in the third minute of added time, Corrigan earned a free that he duly converted to restore Ringtown’s lead.

Boylan’s determination showed as he charged down an attempted Raharney clearance and in the ensuing ruck, Ringtown won a crucial free. Although it was missed, it ate up precious time and the puck-out heralded the final whistle, leaving Shane Brophy’s men free to celebrate.

Ringtown will now aim to build on this victory in the forthcoming senior 'B' championship and Brophy, and coach Shane Murphy, will undoubtedly aim to improve on Ringtown's finishing skills ahead of that challenge. Meanwhile, Raharney's capable second string outfit will contest the intermediate hurling championship.

Scorers – Ringtown: E Corrigan 0-9 (8f), J Hardman and J Moran 1-0 each, D Kilcoyne 0-2, J Boylan 0-1.

Raharney: D Mullen 0-13 (9f; 2 ‘65s’), J Mulvaney 0-2 (1 line ball), D Core and R Coyne 0-1 each.

Ringtown: Darragh Moran; Ciaran Moran, Niall Moran, Dominic Flynn; Desmond Smyth, Charles Flynn, Paul Nangle; James Boylan, Mark Cunningham; Kevin Nea, Darren Kilcoyne, Ryan McCauley; Emmet Corrigan, Johnny Hardman, Jason Moran.

Subs: Callum O’Boyle for Nea (36), Dylan Brady for J Moran (50), Owen Harper for Smyth (60+3).

Raharney: Darragh Weir; Conor Donoghue, Luke Darby, Cian Weir; Eoin Weir, Pearse Weir-Norris, Brian McHugh; Callum McHugh, Darragh Core; Robbie Coyne, Caolan Ready, Winston McHugh; Donie Mullen, Jamie Carr, Joe Mulvaney.

Subs: Ryan O’Neill for McHugh (40), Mark Doherty for Carr (44).

Ref: Ray Aughey (Turin).