Na Gaeil (Kerry) 3-20
Rathgarogue-Cushinstown (Wexford) 1-5
FOR THE FIFTH time in six years, a side from Kerry have been crowned All-Ireland junior club football champions.
Na Gaeil became the latest outfit from the Kingdom to land the title following a convincing 21-point win over Wexford’s Rathgarogue-Cushinstown in Croke Park
Kerry clubs have dominated this competition following its inception in 2002. They’ve produced 10 different winners since it was dreamed up by Kerry native Sean Kelly during his GAA presidency.
Corner-forward Ian McCarthy, who played with the Kingdom minors in 2011, enjoyed a memorable afternoon and scored 3-2 from play for the victors.
Na Gaeil boasted county stars Jack Barry and Diarmuid O’Connor at midfield, which meant that Rathgarogue-Cushinstown went short with their kick-outs to avoid the duo.
But Na Gaeil pressed right up on Nicky Sinnott’s kick-outs and turned over the Wexford side for a first-half goal and a host of points.
The Munster champions boasted 10 different scorers, including both corner-backs, as their dominance was reflected on the scoreboard.
After a nervy start, a commanding second quarter performance by Na Gaeil, left them seven points in front entering first-half stoppage-time. McCarthy’s 26th minute goal arrived after Dara Devine intercepted a kick-out and fed the wing-forward for a well-taken finish.
Wing-back Eoin Doody clipped over three points, two from play, but there was drama at the end of the half to give the Wexford side hope.
A timely run from Tadhg Cody, where he was fouled by Damien Bourke, saw Rathgarogue-Cushinstown goalkeeper Nicky Sinnot roll in a vital goal from a spot-kick to leave them 1-8 to 1-4 behind at the interval.
Despite that late intervention, they posed little threat after the break.
McCarthy’s second goal arrived from a rebound after Diarmaid Herlihy struck the crossbar and it pushed Na Gaeil 11 points clear. From there they rattled off scores with the finish line in sight.
Dara Devine, Mike Griffin and the excellent Herlihy all finished with 0-3 each, while Barry landed an impressive score on the run.
Man-of-the-match McCarthy completed his hat-trick at the death, moments before Na Gaeil were crowned champions.
Scorers for Na Gaeil: Ian McCarthy 3-2, Dara Devine (0-2f), Mike Griffin, Eoin Doody (0-1f) and Diarmaid Herlihy 0-3 each, Ryan O’Neill, Damien Bourke, Jack Barry, Darragh Reen and Paul Daly (0-1f) 0-1 each.
Scorers for Rathgarogue-Cushinstown: Nicky Sinnot 1-0 (pen), Daire Bolger (0-2f) 0-2, Daniel Martin Carroll, Tadhg Cody and Jason Dunne 0-1 each.
Na Gaeil
1. Timmy Culloty
4. Damien Bourke
3. Eoin O’Neill
2. Ryan O’Neill
7. Eoin Doody
6. Andrew Barry
5. Kieran O’Donovan
8. Diarmuid O’Connor
9. Jack Barry
12. Ian McCarthy
13. Dara Devine
11. Dan Goggin
14. Mike Griffin
10. Dan O’Connor
15. Diarmaid Herlihy
Subs
17. Kieran Dineen for Dan O’Connor (42)
19. Eoin Walsh for O’Neill (46)
18. Jamie Lowham for Griffin (46)
21. Darragh Reen for Goggin (48)
20. James O’Connor for O’Donovan (49)
23. Paul Daly for Doody (58)
Rathgarogue-Cushinstown
1. Nicky Sinnott
2. Paidi McGrath
3. Peadar Cody
4. Patrick Murphy
7. Bryan Cody
6. Eoin Porter
5. Brian O’Neill
8. Daniel Martin Carroll
9. Matthew Cody
12. Tadhg Cody
14. Robert Murphy
10. Bernard Furlong
13. Eric Cummins
11. Daire Bolger
15. Jason Dunne
Subs
24. Mark Power for O’Neill (24)
20. Ollie Bolger for McGrath (36)
17. Aaron Ryan for Cummins (42)
19. Luke O’Connor for Murphy (56)
18. Paddy Barron for Bolger (58)
16. Jonathan Kelly for Sinnot (58)
Referee: Sean Lonergan (Tipperary)
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Great season for Irish and Leinster rugby. Leinster are in a very special place at the moment in terms of the coaches, players and backing they have. I can see a few more trophies for them in the next couple of seasons for them. Nothing left to say but congratulations.
@Dave Barry: we are a bit behind at the moment but so is everyone else. Well done Leinster
@Dave Barry: cheers Dave. Classy comment. Good man.
What a season!
@Stephan Antuma: A bittersweet day for Leinnster would probably be the best way to describe it
@eric qualen: Rochelle, nothing bitter sweet about it unless you are are a bitter Munster troll.
I hope you enjoyed that as much as you enjoyed Leinster winning a 4th European Cup.
Larmour try was worth admision money. the kick, the pickup, the try. what a season for Leinster.
@Ardmore02: felt he definitely should have been man of the match instead of Sexton.
@Sam Harms: Don’t think so! Brilliance from Larmour for his try. But Jonny Sexton. After that hit to the head, he showed his genius in his kick to touch for Cronin’s try. He pulls the strings! He drives us forward. The man is incredible! Great day though!!!!
@Sam Harms: get a grip, he picked the ball off the ground like he does everyday at training. Sexton on the other hand bossed the game. If you think one moment of magic outweighs a masterclass performance shows what you know!
@blindside: not one moment of magic he made some great tackles during the game too. Lowe was up there in man of the match territory too, he had another great game. Just what I think no need to tell me to get a grip.
@blindside: ah calm down it was a great team performamce. to be honest at half time I was jumping up and down with sextons quick pass to lowe. now that was magic. alot of great performances fro. pro14 and champions cup champions.
@blindside: Sexton was man of the match but Larmour did more than that pick up. He was great defensively and had Halfpenny and Evens shitting it whenever a high ball went up
@Sam Harms: nah I think Sexton deserved MOTM, but that LARMOUR was a try of the championship type moment.
That pick up !!!
Some achievement winning champions cup and pro in the same season. Before they only had the pro final after the European final this time they had to play the pro semi afterwards as well
So happy great day,in the Beggars pinting with Scots
@rugbyanbeer:
You were looking forward to your day. Enjoy