Ruairi points Rossa to Minor B Hurling title

Antrim Minor B Hurling Championship final

O’Donovan Rossa 1-12

Tír na nÓg 2-7

Nine points from the sweet striking Ruairi Murray edged Rossa to a two point win over a determined Tir na nOg at Hannastown today. There was little between the sides throughout a competitive game that boiled over at the death but the flare up failed to spoil the Rossa celebrations at the end of a very good final.

Ruairi Murray led the way for the Belfast side but a goal from Fionn McIlroy in the 20^th minute turned matters in favour of the Belfast side after a bright start for the Whitehill lads.

Eamon Og McAllister was in fine form for the South West side and created a lot of problems for the Rossa defence during the opening exchanges but slowly Rossa started to get on top with Conor Boyle a steadying influence at the heart of their defence.

Tír na nÓg played with the breeze in the opening half and got off to a blistering start when Lee Johnston’s long free into the danger was fielded superbly by Eamon Og McAllister who fired to the net from close range.

Eoin Trainor responded with a good point for the city side but Tír na nÓg’s were well on top at this stage and and Ciaran O’Neill replied with a point at the other end.

Rossa were beginning to get a foothold however and Ruairi Murray pointed three frees in quick succession to level matters after nine minutes but Tir na nOg replied with a vengeance when an Eamon Og McAllister free fell invitingly for Brian Fitzgerald who rifled to the net from close range.

Eamon Og McAl;lister who was in good form for Tir na nOg

McAllister added a point from a free and another from play to move his side five ahead and at this stage the momentum was very much with the Randalstown side but Rossa responded well and they turned the tide on 20 minutes as Murray weaved his way in from the left and hand-passed across the face of goal where McIlroy was lurking to finish to the net and close the gap to two.

This score lifted Rossa and they began to get on top as Ruairi Murray pointed a free to level before putting his side ahead for the first time from another free.The last score of the half fell to Tír na nÓg however as Eamon Og McAllister converted a free in stoppage time to leave the teams level at the break, 1-7 to 2-4.

It was all to play for in the second half and Rossa wasted no time in getting their noses back in front as Diarmuid Rogan gave them the lead from an early point but McAllister replied from a ‘65’ to leave it all square once more.

Ruairi Murray edged his side ahead once more with a good point on the turn as play became a little scrappy but it was McAllister again who brought Tír na nÓg level on 44 minutes and it still looked anybody’s game at this stage.

Slowly though Rossa’s superior stick work began to tell and Owen May soloed through to give his side a lead they were not again to lose with 15 minutes remaining.

Both sides continued to battle for every ball with the respective defences giving little away but Ruairi Murray extended the Rossa lead to two with another excellent score on the turn before McAllister hit back from a free.

This was to be Tir na nOg’s last score however and at the other end Diarmuid Roggan looked in for a goal but his rasping shot sailed just wide. Ruairi Murray edged the Shaw’s road side two in front from a long range free and it was to prove the game’s final score.

Tír na nÓg needed a goal but their frustrations boiled over in the dying seconds when they got involved in a flare up that saw three players receive their marching orders before referee Mark McDonald called time on proceedings with Rossa taking the honours.

ROSSA: L Groves; P Moyes, B McAuley, A McLaughlin; P Short, C Boyle, J Burns; E Trainor (0-1), A McLean; O May (0-1), Ruairi Murray (0-9, 6 frees), D Murphy; F McIlroy (1-0), Ruairc Murray, D Rogan (0-1). Subs: M Toner for F McIlroy (35), B McBurney-Hegarty for P Moyes (55).

TÍR NA nÓG: D Martin; O McAtamney, R Cozcapy, A Reid; B McLarnon, C O’Neill (0-1), E Higgins; C McCamphill, L Johnston; S Hinfey, J Higgins, B Fitzgerald (1-0); E Murray, M McCann, E McAllister (1-6, 0-4 frees, 0-1 65).

REFEREE: Mark McDonald (St Gall’s)