St Rynagh’s 2-16 Birr 1-15
Twenty-three years and eight county final defeats later, St Rynagh’s finally regained the Offaly senior hurling championship title in O’Connor Park after a late goal from man of the match Ronan Hughes wrapped up a 2-16 to 1-15 win over rivals Birr at the Tullamore stadium.
Joe Brady’s injury-time goal for Coolderry snatched the title from their grasp 12 months ago and many of their supporters must have wondered if they were to suffer yet another cruel late blow today when Birr rallied from eight points down early in the second half to draw within a single point with eight minutes to play, all while the wind blew strongly down the ground and into the faces of their side.
There was no need for any such tension. Twelve first-half wides from the Banagher-based club meant that they led by 1-08 to 0-05 at the interval and they could and possibly should have been out of a sight.
A stunning team goal, finished to the net by county dual player Joey O’Connor after good work from Ben Conneely and Stephen Quirke in the build-up, gave them some leeway, while two points immediately after half-time suggested that they might be able to power ahead and win well.
However, a close-range goal from Colm Mulrooney changed the momentum of the tie.
Birr dominated the next 20 minutes, picking off some utterly sublime points through Emmet Nolan, Barry Whelahan and Seán Ryan.
Scores from Joey O’Connor and Gary Conneely kept Rynagh’s in front when Birr got within a point in the closing minutes, but the honour of wrapping up the victory fell to Ronan Hughes, who pounced on a breaking ball and scythed through two defenders before slamming the sliothar to the roof of the net for the match-winning score.
St Rynagh’s: C Clancy; D Maloney, D Shortt, B Conneely; C Hernon, A Treacy, P Camon; G Kelly, R Hughes (1-04); S Dolan, G Conneely (0-01), S Wynne (0-06, 0-05 frees); M Maloney, S Quirke (0-03 frees), J O’Connor (1-02)
Subs: N Wynne for M Maloney (44), G Scales for Quirke (48), P Quirke for Dolan (60+1)
Birr: B Mullins; M Verney, P Cleary, E Hayes; B Watkins, D Hayden, S Ryan (0-01); B Whelahan (0-01), B Harding (0-01); C Mulrooney (1-01), E Cahill (0-07, frees), R Hannify; B Murphy (0-01), C O’Callaghan, E Nolan (0-03)
Subs: S Lonergan for O’Callaghan (41), P Mullins for Whelahan (20), D Watkins for Cahill (31)
