Full Time: Na Fianna 2-22 - 2-16 Kilcormac-Killoughey
It was a cool and windy night in Croke Park as Dublin's Na Fianna arrived back in the grounds for the second year running for the Leinster Club Senior Hurling Championship final.
With the game underway Na Finna started things shooting into the Hill with the wind behind them.
Na Fianna’s Jack Meagher opened the scoring within the first minute of the game. Followed up by a free from Colin Currie to give Na Fianna a two point lead early on.
Three points with no reply for Na Fianna from another free over the bar by Currie.
Some off the ball contact by Adam Screeney saw him pick up an early yellow card. A free from within their own half saw Kilcormac-Killoghey open their scoring.
Two rapid replies from captain Donal Burke and AJ Murphy saw Na Fianna increase their lead to four points for the first time in the match.
Kilcormac-Killoughey’s captain and goalkeeper Conor Slevin stepped up to take a free which he hit directly between the posts to reduce the game to three points.
Quick replies from both teams saw scores at both ends of the field. Donal Burke picked up his third point soon after.
Once again there was no reply from the Offaly side with Na Fianna picking up two points in a row. A five point margin now separated the teams for the first time. Forward Adam Screeny capitalised on a free to bring the game back to four points.
Na Fianna were adamant not to let their opponent back into the game as Colin Currie increased the defecate once again from a free.
After a short period of no scores in the middle of the opening half, Kilcormac-Killoughey’s Adam Screeney took advantage of a free to get the scoreboard ticking once again.
A five point gap was yet again the difference between the sides with Na Fianna picking up another score.
A superb point for Kilcormac-Killoughey from an extremely tight angle saw them pick up a score from a quick reply for one of the first times this game.
Donal Burke saw his name on the score sheet again as he struck an outstanding score from just left of the halfway line. The first goal of the game came from Na Fianna’s Sean Currie.
A lightning fast run through the Kilcormac-Killoughey defence opened up the space for Na Fianna’s half forward to smash the ball into the back of the net.
Na Fianna’s lead increased to six points as the game approached the break. Donal Burke added to the lead again with a great point from play to make it a seven point game.
Kilcormac-Killoughey clawed at the Na Fianna’s lead in the opening moments of additional time. They picked up three points in a row bringing it back to a four point game.
Colin Currie scored the final point of the half as the sides entered the break five points apart in favour of Na Fianna.
A free in the first couple of seconds in the final half saw Kilcormac-Killoughey get off to a quick start.
Although Na Fianna responded quickly down the other end Kilcormac Killoughey picked up another point with a new found sense of urgency following the break.
A free for Na Fianna saw the score back to a five point gap. Both sides were eager to add to their scores with Adam Screeney hitting another free over the bar.
Following a red card for a member of Na Fianna’s backroom staff, Adam Screeney backed up his earlier score with yet another point. Another free from Screeney hit the post and quickly dropped into the hands of Conor Mahon as he secured Kilcormac-Killoughey’s first goal of the game.
With things finally looking up for the Offaly side, Na Finna quickly killed their opponents momentum with their second goal of the game coming from AJ Murphy. The gap between the teams was sitting at four points after twelve minutes into the second half.
An unbelievable save came from Na Fianna’s Jonathan Tracey as he pushed Leigh Kavanagh’s bullet on to the cross bar.
The umpires called on Hawk Eye for the first time this game following a Kilcormac-Killoughey free. Unfortunately for the Offaly side the ball had flown wide.
Na Fianna added to their lead following a score coming from a free taken by Colin Currie.
In the last two minutes of normal time of the second half Colin Currie provided
Na Fianna with a comfortable six point lead. In the first of five minutes of additional time Adam Screeney stepped up once again for Kilcormac-Killoughey with a fantastic close ranged goal.
The Offaly side showed no signs of letting up in the final minutes as they closed the deficit to four. A point at the other end for Na Fianna put them back into a rather comfortable position.
Following up from his crucial goal AJ Murphy gave his side a six point advantage with less than two minutes left on the clock.
A dominating performance by Na Fianna finally paid off as the final whistle blew and the roar of the Dublin crowed filled the stadium.
Full Time: Na Fianna 2-22 - 2-16 Kilcormac-Killoughey
Na Fianna: Jonathan Treacey, Sean Burke, Conor McHugh, Donal Ryan, Paul O'Dea, Liam Rushe, Kevin Burke, Brian Ryan, Peter Feeney, Ciaran Stacey, Donal Burke, Sean Currie, Colin Currie, AJ Murphy, Gavin King
Substitutes: Oisin Feeney, Shane Barrett, Sean Ryan, Gerry Spollen, Diarmuid Clerkin, Will Wheatley, Jack Meagher, Feargal Breathnach, Aaron Jesson, Joe Kavanagh, Liam Stacey, Sean Murphy, Conor Kelly, Jack Guinan, Tom Brennan.
Kilcormac-Killoughey: Conor Slevin, Tom Spain, Oisin Mahon, James Mahon, Jordan Quinn, Cillian Kiely, Brecon Kavanagh, Colin Spain, Damien Kilmartin, Jack Screeney, Conor Mahon, Leigh Kavanagh, Daniel Hand, Charlie Mitchell, Adam Screeney
Substitutes: Shane Mulrooney, Enda Grogan, Cathal Kiely, Alex Kavanagh, Peter Geraghty, Thomas Geraghty, James Gorman, Shane Guinan, James Kilmartin, Karl Guinan, Harry Sweeney, Mark Mulrooney, Lochlann Kavanagh, Shane Melia, Charlie Bracken
Referee: Pádraig Dunne (Laois)
