Easkey 1-17
Naomh Eoin 2-13
By Gavin Cawley
Easkey made history as they won their first senior hurling championship since 1963 as they came from behind to get the better of last year's county champions Naomh Eoin in repeat of the 2019 decider.
The winning score came from Thomas Cawley in stoppage time as the substitute turned out to be the Easkey hero.
Naomh Eoin led at half-time 2-08 - 1-07 after two goals in the space of a minute before the half-time break coming from Arthur Wall and a rocket of a goal from Liam O'Kelly Lynch who cancelled out the early lead from Easkey with Andrew Kilcullen getting Easkey’s goal after 15 minutes as they lead at the water break 1-04 - 0-02.
The second quarter belonged to Naomh Eoin as they outscored Easkey 2-06 - 0-03 with the impressive Gerard O’Kelly Lynch scoring six points in the opening half.
Easkey needed a good start to the second half and that’s what they got with two quick frees from man of the match Rory McHugh.
A free from O’Kelly Lynch restored a three-point lead before the sides were level with points from McHugh, James Weir and Finnian Cawley.
The sides remained level throughout the final quarter. A big score from Mikey Gordon drew the sides level once again with seven minutes to play.
A '65 from O’Kelly Lynch looked like the experience of last year might get Naomh Eoin over the line but the young Easkey men weren’t giving up and a point from last year's Sligo county hurling captain James Weir drew his side level.
There was still time for Cawley to land the winning point for Easkey and ensure they would win the county championship for first time since '63.
Easkey: Jimmy Gordon, Shane Molloy, James Weir (0-02), Bernard Feeney, Mikey Gordon (0-02), Gavin Connolly, Rory McHugh (0-08,5fs,1 '65), Daniel Rolston, Ian Barrett, Donal Hanley, Niall Kilcullen, Eanna Moylan (0-01), Andrew Kilcullen (1-02), Finnian Cawley (0-01), Fionn Moylan
Subs used: Cahan Hallinan for Eanna Moylan (44), Thomas Cawley (0-01) for Bernard Feeney(51), Eoghan Rua McGowan for Donal Hanley(60),
Naomh Eoin: Stephen Fleming, Darragh Cawley, Cathal Jordan, Darragh Feehily, Ethan Scully, Niall Feehily, Ryan Feehily (0-02), Michael Munnelly, Tony O’Kelly Lynch, Gerard O’Kelly Lynch (0-11,9fs,1 '65), Shane Barry, Donal Fidgeon, Fergal O’Kelly Lynch, Arthur Wall(1-00), Liam O’Kelly Lynch (1-00)
Subs used: Anthony Fidgeon for Fergal O’Kelly Lynch (44), Kevan Brennan for Arthur Wall (59)
Referee: Ciaran O’Donnell
