Lámh Dhearg 2-11-2-10 Loch Mor Dál
By Kevin Herron at Crumlin
Lámh Dhearg were crowned U-16 B all county hurling champions after a pulsating encounter with Loch Mor Dál at Crumlin 3G on Sunday saw the red hands run out 2-11-2-10 winners.
The sides were tied 1-04 apiece at the interval and despite Lámh Dhearg twice going three-points to the good, Loch Mor Dál twice fought back as it looked as though extra-time might be required.
But Lámh Dhearg captain Niall McGuigan stepped up to the plate and struck an injury-time free to ensure another Sunday of celebration at Hannahstown.
Loch Mor Dál started the brighter at the bitterly cold Crumlin and took the lead through an Anthony Gallagher point.
Daniel Murray almost responded instantly for Lámh Dhearg; however his shot tailed wide in the breeze, while Aaron Monaghan’s free at the other end caused havoc before it was eventually scrambled clear by the Lámh Dhearg defence.
Daniel Murray levelled the game after a free that fell short was recycled back into his path and within a minute Ethan Monaghan edged the Lámhs 0-02-0-01 ahead with ten minutes gone.
Gallagher drew Loch Mor level almost instantly and just before the midway point in the half Loch Mor Dál landed the first decisive blow, the Lámh Dhearg defence failed to clear their lines adaquetly and Gerard Pickering Jnr lashed low past Michael Clarke in the Lámhs goal to give his side a 1-02-0-02 lead.
Pickering almost claimed his second goal on 17 minutes, but credit to Clarke who repelled the full-forwards drive, while team mate Ruairi Cunningham had to stay alert to make a terrific hook from Anthony Gallagher who was advancing towards the Lámh Dhearg goal three minutes later.
Cal Burke extended Loch Mor Dál’s lead on 21 minutes, however Lámh Dhearg responded well and hit back through a Daire Cunningham point after Niall McGuigan’s free fell short.
The sides were then level for the second time on 23 minutes as Lámh Dhearg full-forward Patrick Braniff rifled low past Bailey Graham to make it 1-03-1-03.
It looked as though Loch Mor Dál would edge ahead at the break as Cal Burke hit his second score on the bounce, but Patrick Braniff’s offload picked out Ethan Monaghan who popped the ball over to make it 1-04-1-04.
Indeed both sides may have added a goal to their tally at the break; Michael Braniff saw his low drive travel inches wide and at the other end Michael Clarke showed bravery to cut out Anthony Gallagher’s dangerous opportunity.
Lámh Dhearg started the second period confidently and raced into a three-point lead within the first four minutes.
Ethan Monaghan conjured up his third point of the afternoon to start a run of three scores on the trot, he would also end it and in between times Paddy Braniff ran onto a loose ball and fired between the posts to give Lámh Dhearg a 1-07-1-04 lead.
However, Loch Mor Dál hit back and were back on terms within a minute of Monaghan’s second point, Anthony Gallagher charged forward and his offload picked out Tiarnan Lee’s who poked the ball past Michael Clarke and into the Lámh Dhearg net to level the scores at 1-07-2-04.
Lámh Dhearg didn’t let their heads drop though, Corey Donnelly picked out Ethan Monaghan who was chopped down before he could have a drive for goal, referee Eamonn Hamill awarded the Lámhs a free and Daire Cunningham floated his effort over Bailey Graham in the Loch Mor goal and into the net to restore his sides lead, 2-07-2-04.
Niall McGuigan then landed a superb free to increase his sides lead to four, but the Lámhs then wilted slightly under intense pressure from Loch Mor Dál.
Cal Burke converted a free and quickly followed it up with a point from play within sixty seconds to half the deficit, Sean McGuiness then popped the ball over to put the bare minimum between the sides midway through the half and by the 52nd minute the game was level through a second converted free by Burke to level the game for the fourth time at 2-08 apiece.
Lámh Dhearg didn’t panic and edged ahead again through a Paddy Braniff point after McGuigan’s 65’ fell short and McGuigan converted a free to give his side a two-point cushion heading towards the home straight.
But Loch Mor Dál fought back and levelled for a fifth time, Cal Burke hit fourth point of the half and a Conor Jones score on the 60th minute had the scoreboard 2-10 apiece and extra-time looked to be on the cards.
Two minutes into injury-time referee Hamill awarded Lámh Dhearg a free just inside the Loch Mor Dál half and Niall McGuigan took responsibility, with two points to his name already the Lámh Dhearg captain calmly stroked his pressure shot over the bar to make it 2-11-2-10.
The Hannahstown men weathered a further minute of Loch Mor pressure before the final whistle sounded the red hands could celebrate further success after claiming the South Antrim Championship two weeks ago.
Lámh Dhearg: M Clarke, P McCrarren, J Brady, C Boyd, T McKenna, C Slack, R Cunningham, N McGuigan (0-03f), C Donnelly, E Monaghan (0-04), D Murray (0-01), M Braniff, D Cunningham (1-01,1-00f), P Braniff (1-02), B O’Neill. Subs: C Megraw for P McCrarren (31 mins), C Smyth for B O’Neill (35 mins).
Loch Mor Dál: B Graham, O O’Boyle, J McKenna, D Phillips, T McDonald, D Dixon, A Monaghan, M Morgan, C Burke (0-06,0-03f), M Branniff, A Gallagher (0-02), C Jones (0-01), S McGuiness (0-01) , G Pickering (1-00), T Lees (1-00).
Referee: E Hamill (St Teresa’s)
PHOTOGRAPHS: Bert Trowlen