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Kevin Kelly was the star of the show for Ballyragget. Tommy Dickson/INPHO

Ballyragget crowned Leinster champions after last-gasp free completes comeback

Kevin Kelly held his nerve at the death to land the match-winning free for the Kilkenny club.

St Patrickโ€™s Ballyragget 0-19

Glenealy 1-15

SENIOR INTER-COUNTY player Kevin Kelly was the saviour for Ballyragget as his ice-cool nerve earned the Kilkenny side the Leinster intermediate hurling club title this afternoon.

Kelly kept his composure to convert an injury-time free that sealed a second provincial title for the Saints (they won the junior title in 2012 on their way to the All-Ireland crown), but it was wretched luck on their beaten foes Glenealy.

The Wicklow men came to Nowlan Park for Saturdayโ€™s encounter and showed no fear as they took the game to their hosts.

Such was their confidence they led by three with 10 minutes to play (1-13 to 0-13) with top scorer Jonathan Oโ€™Neill leading the Garden County sideโ€™s charge.

Glenealy were impressive in the first half. They took the lead on two separate occasions and were level three times.

Ballyragget knew they had a battle on their hands, and needed a Joe Brennan score to to edge ahead by the break (0-9 to 0-8).

The Wicklow visitors were an even greater force to be reckoned with in the second half, and seemed to be on the cusp of pulling off a major shock when Wayne Oโ€™Gorman plundered a goal in the 45th minute to push his side ahead (1-11 to 0-12).

That goal acted like a spur to Ballyragget, who raised their game and kicked on.

Kelly struck three frees in the final quarter, with Seoirse Kenny adding another, before Brian โ€˜Brookyโ€™ Phelan levelled the game in the dying seconds of normal time.

The Saints found an extra gear, however, as Kelly hit the free that secured the silverware.

Ballyragget scorers: Kevin Kelly (0-11); Seoirse Kenny, Michael Brennan, Brian โ€˜Brookyโ€™ Phelan (0-2 each); Joe Brennan, Paddy Brennan (0-1 each).

Glenealy scorers: Jonathan Oโ€™Neill (0-8); Wayne Oโ€™Gorman (1-0); Roberet Byrne (0-2); John Manley, Jamie Byrne, Enan Glynn, Leighton Glynn, Gavin Weir (0-1 each).

The42 has just published its first book, Behind The Lines, a collection of some of the yearโ€™s best sports stories. Pick up your copy in Easonโ€™s, or order it here today (โ‚ฌ10):

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    Mute Alan Murphyโ„ข
    Favourite Alan Murphyโ„ข
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    Jan 30th 2012, 8:47 PM

    Cisse had great potential, not sure if he got over the broken leg that he got

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    Mute william winkell
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    Jan 30th 2012, 11:51 PM

    I think his pea brain held him back more than any broken leg.

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    Mute Ann-Marie Wallis
    Favourite Ann-Marie Wallis
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    Jan 31st 2012, 1:39 AM

    Jaysus,the Jelavic sale will hit Rangers hard. They need that money just to keep the tax payer off their backs.

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    Mute Ann-Marie Wallis
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    Jan 31st 2012, 1:40 AM

    lol meant taxman stupid phone!

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