Brownstown blitz the key as Ringtown men are overturned

Brownstown 2-20, Ringtown 2-17

Three injury-time points from Brownstown secured a precious first-round victory over a gritty Ringtown side, in a wonderful Senior ‘B’ hurling championship clash at Killucan on Sunday.

Ringtown led by 2-12 to 2-7 at half-time, having trailed by seven points after just nine minutes, and their immense effort suggested they could push on and take the spoils in this gripping game. Brownstown had other ideas, however, and they were the better side with the slight breeze behind them in the second half, their key men making telling contributions at crucial stages.

A Brownstown blitz after the break produced five of the six opening scores and the sides were level on four separate occasions in the second half before the Clonmellon side found something extra in the closing stages. Full-forward Brian Guerin scored a sensational point to put Brownstown two clear before substitute Tiernan Purcell, who made a clear impact, added the insurance score.

While the likes of Castlepollard and St Oliver Plunketts were touted as potential favourites for this championship before the start, both Ringtown and Brownstown showed enough here to suggest they are capable of going toe to toe with any of the leading contenders. Brownstown led by 2-2 to 0-1 after nine minutes, a first-time strike from centre-forward Niall Leonard providing the opening goal in the sixth minute before corner-forward Jamie Fitzsimons took a pass from Paddy O’Reilly and drilled a low shot to the net.

Ringtown rallied superbly and Mark Cunningham looked a massive threat at full-forward, his goal in the 11th minute getting them motoring. It was all square when midfielder Emmet Corrigan slotted over a 24th-minute free and his fetch and pass set up Cunningham for Ringtown’s second major a minute later as they pressed on to establish a five-point lead at the interval.

Brownstown, with conditions in their favour, shot six points in the opening eight minutes and were level after Niall Leonard shot over. Marc Davis pushed Ringtown two clear again, but it was tit for tat now and Purcell equalised at the three-quarter stage (2-15 apiece). A terrific Conor Shaw strike had the Brownstown men ahead with 10 minutes remaining before Ringtown’s Jason Moran converted a free.

Jamie Fitzsimons (free) and Ringtown midfielder Charles Flynn traded points and it was 2-17 apiece one minute into added time. Flynn’s came after Cunningham’s strength told, a move started by Darren Kilcoyne giving them the equaliser, and the outcome was in the balance.

Niall Leonard stepped up with a fine point from the wing; Guerin shot a stunning score from the opposite sideline in superb style and Brownstown had the edge at the vital stage. Purcell wrapped up the victory with his third point four minutes into added time.

It was a terrific contest, players on both sides giving it everything for these two proud hurling parishes. There was no lack of intensity and it shows that this Senior ‘B’ championship will not be easily won.

Scorers - Brownstown: J Fitzsimons 1-4 (0-4f), N Leonard 1-3, B Guerin, A O’Brien and T Purcell 0-3 each, D Lane, O Kiernan, C Shaw and S Smith 0-1 each.

Ringtown: M Cunningham 2-2, E Corrigan 0-7 (4f; 1 ‘65’), D Kilcoyne 0-3, J Moran 0-2 (1f), M Davis 0-2, C Flynn 0-1.

Brownstown: James Moore; Shane Henry, Shaun Smith, Tom Flynn; Paddy O’Reilly, Conor Shaw, Anthony Mulvaney; Ryan Flynn, Oisín Kiernan; Donal Lane, Niall Leonard, Emmett Cunneen; Aaron O’Brien, Brian Guerin, Jamie Fitzsimons. Subs: Tiernan Purcell for Mulvaney (HT).

Ringtown: Darragh Moran; Des Smyth, Niall Moran, Ryan Moore; Paul Nangle, Ciaran Moran, Calum O’Boyle; Charles Flynn, Emmet Corrigan; Darren Kilcoyne, Johnny Hardman, Marc Davis; Jason Moran, Mark Cunningham, Seán Boylan. Subs: Angus McDonald for Boylan (48), James Boylan for Davis (52).

Referee: Barry Kelly (St Oliver Plunketts).