Just over six years ago Rossa won the All Ireland Intermediate Hurling title when the beat Kilburn Gaels of London in the final in Croke Park. More that half of Sunday’s team who take on Dunloy in the Antrim Senior final were in action that day.
All Ireland Intermediate Club Hurling Championship Final – February 2015
Rossa 1-19 Kilburn Gael 2-3
O’Donovan Rossa produced an excellent display and were deservedly crowned All-Ireland Intermediate Club Hurling champions at a rain-sodden Croke Park yesterday.
The west Belfast side were inspired by teenagers Gerard Walsh and Deaghlan Murphy, who belied their years with impressive performances, while Stephen Beatty booted home the all-important goal in the second half.
The conditions weren’t conducive to a great game with the rain teaming in from early in proceedings, but before the heavens opened, Rossa had edged 0-2 to 0-0 ahead with pointed placed balls from Seaghan (free) and Stephen (65) Shannon. However, they failed to build on this as Kilburn grew into the game and points from the impressive Keith Killilea and Stephen Lambert (free) had the sides level on 17 minutes.
Gerard Walsh drove over a long free while Seaghan Shannon tapped over from a placed ball to re-establish Rossa’s two point lead they held at the break.
It was hoped the game would open up and after Beatty kicked to the Kilburn net after plucking Deaghlan Murphy’s long delivery from the sky two minutes after the break to give Rossa a 1-4 to 0-2 lead, it seemed this one would really catch fire, but it was not the case. Instead, Kilburn continued to dig in and after Lambert and Stephen Shannon traded points, the Londoners got right back in the game with a magnificent goal from Killilea.
However, Rossa always had an answer and Gerard Walsh pointed from range before Deaghlan Murphy did likewise minutes later.
With 10 to go, the Belfast men held a four point lead and were looking good but Kilburn then grabbed a lifeline when Killilea found the corner of the net to make it a tense finish.
Again, Rossa had the answers and Michael Armstrong pointed from range to steady his side and with a delicate two point lead, Walsh again stood up and fired over in injury time to seal the victory.
“It’s a magnificent achievement for these guys because they have worked hard from the start of the year right through,” said Rossa selector, Aidan Hamill as captain Chris McGuinness lifted the cup.
O’DONOVAN ROSSA: C McDonnell; K McDonnell, E O’Neill, C Orchin; G Walsh (0-3, 1 free), C McClelland, Stephen Shannon (0-2, both 65s); C McIlhatton, D Murphy (0-1); M Armstrong (0-1), C McGuinness, S Beatty (1-0); Seaghan Shannon (0-2, both frees), T Morgan, A Orchin. Subs: J McGuinness for C McIlhatton (21 mins), M Turley for J McGuinness (34 mins), G Bell for E O’Neill (47 mins), C McVeigh for Seaghan Shannon (55 mins)
KILBURN GAELS: K Finngan; C Hickey, L Gaule, C McAlinden; N Brophy, B Regan, K Kennedy; H Vaughan, B Kiely; M Duggan, J Egan, S Lambert (0-2, 1 free); P Kennedy, M O’Dwy, K Killilea (2-1). Subs: A Power for P Kennedy (29 mins), N McDonnell for B Kiely (39 mins)
REFEREE: TonyCarroll (Offaly)