Gowna 0-13 Kingscourt Stars 2-16
Kingscourt Stars produced a sensational upset as they dismantled a fancied Gowna side to get their hands on the Oliver Plunkett Cup for the first time in 10 years.
Two goals in first-half injury time saw the underdogs Kingscourt sensationally go in at the interval five points up, 2-07 to 0-8.
Gowna were strong favourites given they had beaten Kingscourt by 17 points in the final two years ago but the east Cavan side had other ideas and were comfortable winners here.
Gowna were the better team early on and eased into a 0-4 to 0-0 lead but Kingscourt grew into the contest.
From the throw-in, Ryan Donohoe and Ryan Brady combined before Robbie Fitzpatrick curled in with the right foot.
Kingscourt were pinned back at this early stage and a two-pointer from Conor Madden – Kingscourt protested that he was just inside the arc – and a Cian Madden free after a foul on Ryan Brady left four between them with seven minutes played.
But Stars got off the mark with a two-point free from Jordan Morris, after a foul on Cian Shekleton, and, after a Gowna breach, Morris tapped over a close-range free to bring it back to a point.
A Fitzpatrick free kept the scoreboard ticking for Vinny Corey's men but Kingscourt were starting to punch holes up front and should have had their opening goal when man of the match Joe Dillon intercepted a kick-out and fed Morris, whose shot on goal was weak and easily saved by Mark Brady.
Odhran Cunningham played a one-two with Morris and slotted over a well-taken point but the wing-back would unfortunately be stretchered off after an accidental collision, which necessitated a five-minute delay.
By then, Gowna were 0-07 to 0-04 ahead after points from Cian Madden and Fitzpatrick. On the resumption, Padraig Faulkner – who was hampered by an ankle niggle – fired over a rousing point off the left boot and Kingscourt kicked on from there.
The first goal arrived as the match ticked into injury time, Aaron Shekleton forcing a turnover and Kevin Curtis starting and finishing a move also involving Dillon and Morris.
Moments later, Cian Shekleton curled over a two-pointer with the outside of the boot from the left wing and suddenly, the Stars were in front.
And before the short whistle, Gowna would be reeling as Peter Corrigan sent a perfect pass over the top and Dillon rounded a defender before burying his shot in the bottom corner.
Gowna cut the gap on the resumption with a tricky free from Fitzpatrick but didn't raise another flag for another 20 minutes as Kingscourt dominated.
Faulkner kicked his second point soon after and the floodgates opened. A sublime two-point free off the ground from Morris and a single from play from the Meath star left eight between the sides, as the wides continued to mount for Gowna, who finished with a dozen in total.
Morris tacked on a free after Dillon was fouled and after Gowna dropped an effort short, the Stars broke and Dillon, at his ease, slotted over.
Two more for Morris (one free) left 12 points between the sides and although Robbie Fitzpatrick had two frees for Gowna and Cian Madden swung over a two-pointer from play, Kingscourt were not to be denied, sub Michael Gargan adding the final score from a free.
Gowna: Mark Brady, Cormac Brady, Ryan McGahern, Eoghan Hartin, Fionnán Brady, Conor Brady, Tiarnan Madden, Ryan Donohoe, Conor Casey, Ryan Brady, Cian Madden (0-4, 1f, 1tp), Daire Madden, Oisin Pierson, Conor Madden (0-3, 1tp), Robbie Fitzpatrick (0-6, 4fs).
Subs: Seanie Hartin for R Donohoe (45), Fiachra Brady for D Madden (53), Odhran Madden for E Hartin (59).
Kingscourt Stars: Tom Martin, Cormac McAvinney, John McCullough, Shane Gray, Odhran Cunningham (0-01), Aaron Shekleton, Barry Tully, Padraig Faulkner (0-2), Paddy Meade, Joe Dillon (1-01), Peter Corrigan, Ciaran Dermody, Jordan Morris (0-09, 2 tpfs, 3fs), Kevin Curtis (1-0), Cian Shekleton (0-2, tp).
Subs: John McKeon for O Cunningham (temp, 28), Caoimhin Magee for C Dermody, Sean Burke for K Curtis (both 58), Michael Gargan (0-1f) for J Dillon, Noah McCormack for S Gray (both 62).
Ref: Noel Mooney
