Kilbrittain 0-22, Glen Rovers 2-15

Kilbrittain are the Co-op Superstores Premier JHC champions following a hard-fought victory over Glen Rovers at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Friday night. The thrilling final was a battle from start to finish, with the narrowest of margins separating the sides, as a late Glen Rovers goal cut the deficit to the minimum just before the final whistle.

Kilbrittain started strongly, with Mark Hickey opening the scoring from a ’65 after his own early goal effort was saved. Hickey and Luke Griffin helped Kilbrittain to an early 0-6 to 0-1 lead after six minutes.

Glen Rovers, however, worked their way back into the game through scores from Shane Busteed, Conor Dorris, and Fiachra O’Driscoll. They took the lead for the first time in the 27th minute when Gearoid Mulcahy found the back of the net after a long free was batted down, making the score 1-7 to 0-9. Further points from Mulcahy and Dorris left Glen Rovers ahead at the break, 1-9 to 0-10.

A Point-for-Point Battle

The second half was a relentless point-for-point exchange. Hickey pointed a free and Philip Wall levelled the contest early on. The sides traded scores through Ronan Crowley and Mulcahy.

The crucial scores came from the accuracy of Mark Hickey, who converted a series of frees to push Kilbrittain back into the lead. Kilbrittain maintained a tight grip on the scoreboard, but Glen Rovers refused to yield, with Evan Murphy keeping them within touching distance.

In a poignant moment, Kilbrittain’s victory was secured on what would have been the birthday of clubman Oisín Gillain, whose memory was honoured throughout their campaign.

Despite Evan Murphy scoring a late goal from a free, it was too late for Glen Rovers. The final whistle sounded shortly after the restart, confirming Kilbrittain as champions by a score of 0-22 to 2-15.

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Scorers

Scorers for Kilbrittain: M Hickey (0-9, 0-6 f), R Crowley (0-4, 0-1 f), P Wall (0-3), L Griffin, J O’Donovan (0-2 each), C Hogan, S Sexton (0-1 each).

Scorers for Glen Rovers: G Mulcahy, E Murphy (f) (1-3 each), C Dorris (0-4), S Busteed, F O’Driscoll, C Healy, A O’Sullivan, D Tynan (0-1 each).

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Teams

KILBRITTAIN: D Desmond; D Considine, J Hurley, E O’Neill; A Holland, T Sheehan, C Sheehan; S Sexton, J O’Donovan; M Hickey, P Wall, R Crowley; C Hogan, L Griffin, B Butler. Subs: C Ustionowski, D Harrington, T Harrington.

GLEN ROVERS: B Heffernan; D Dunlea, G Marshall, Z Lynch; D Coughlan, D Noonan, A O’Sullivan; G Mulcahy, F O’Driscoll; G Kennefick, K McCarthy Coade, C Healy; C Dorris, E Murphy, S Busteed. Subs: D Tynan, J Corkery, E O’Sullivan, D Long, C O’Brien.

Referee: Kevin O’Sullivan (Valley Rovers).