Stephens end long wait in dramatic fashion
Sunday, 28 November 2004 17:41A late point from UL student David McCormack earned James Stephens their first Leinster Senior Club Championship title in 23 years at Portlaoise today.
The Kilkenny champions were made to battle to the death by a gallant UCD side, who had trailed 0-3 to 1-10 at the break.
The students eventually completely eroded that lead when they levelled the match at 1-12 apiece with just a few minutes remaining.
However, McCormack's injury-time winner ensured it was the Village side who got their hands on the O'Neill Cup.
20-year-old hit man Eoin Larkin was again Stephens' leading predator, accounting for 1-6 of their tally.
Stephens' corner-back Dermot Grogan angled a long ball through for Larkin to finish expertedly to the UCD net on 16 minutes, adding to early points from Larkin, Brian McEvoy, Joe Murphy and Richie Hayes.
The Village looked out of sight in the first half but UCD boss Babs Keating - forced to start without injured skipper Mick Fitzgerald - threw on three substitutes at the restart, and the switches paid dividends.
The inclusion of Tipperary's Eamonn Ryan at full forward made the biggest impact - drawing the Dublin winners up the field as Larkin's influence dwindled.
A 40th minute goal and four points (three from frees) from Galway forward Andrew Smith brought the deficit down to three.
Stephens points from Eoin McCormack and David Carter (0-2) then reduced the arrears to two (1-12 to 1-10).
Smith tagged on another point on 58 minutes before Redmond Barry levelled with just over 60 seconds remaining.
But McCormack was on hand to deny Keating's charges as he drew in from the left wing and cracked over the winner and end Stephens' long wait.
