Bray Emmets 1-15 Carnew Emmets 2-10
Bray Emmets captain Marc Lennon had the honour of receiving both his and his side's fifth O’Donoghue Cup in a row after Paul Carley’s men defeated Carnew Emmets in the Wicklow senior hurling decider in Echelon Park, Aughrim.
No club side in the Garden County had ever won five crowns on the trot until Liam Keenan Jnr sounded the final whistle after a dramatic last few moments of this entertaining and well-attended decider on a brisk but sunny afternoon.
Their by now expected second-half surge was vital to Carley’s charges in seeing off a hugely impressive Emmets side who came into this final having lost their club stalwart James 'Bear’ Doran in recent weeks but determined to honour his memory by halting Bray’s drive for five.
Bray stormed from being 1-07 to 1-06 ahead at the break to 1-15 to 1-10 in front at the end of normal time but they found it impossible to land any real killer blows in that second half thanks to an outstanding display by the Carnew defence, personified by Martin O’Brien, and due to dropping a host of efforts short to Bob Fitzgerald in the Carnew goal.
Eoin McCormack’s goal after 60 seconds gave the defending champions a dream start, but a wonderful major from Carnew midfielder Adrian Myers 27 minutes in brought the sides level at 1-5 apiece.
However, losing Jack Doyle to injury just before half-time was a big blow for Carnew Emmets, who headed for the dressing room trailing by 1-07 to 1-06.
Star attacker Christy Moorehouse finished this game with eight points, seven from frees, and scores from the full-forwward, McCormack, Diarmuid Masterson, Davy Maloney and a brace from excellent substitute Brian Nesbitt left Bray Emmets sitting pretty at 1-15 to 1-10 with 60 on the clock.
But Carnew weren’t done just yet. They attacked Conor McNally’s goal with intent, forcing a fine save from the netminder before corner-forward Dan Redmond fired home a stunning goal to give hope to the large Carnew Emmers supporters.
But time would run out for Eamonn Scallan’s charges, with Liam Keenan Jnr’s final whistle bringing joy to the Bray Emmets supporters on the bank and the players and mentors on the field.
History has been made. Bray Emmets are the five-in-a-row champions of Wicklow.
Bray Emmets: Connor McNally; Ben Kearney, Karl Lacey, Seanie Maloney; Arran Murphy, John Henderson, Daire Henderson; Luke Maloney, Diarmuid Masterson (0-1); Davy Maloney (0-1), Marc Lennon, Ronan McMahon; Eoin McCormack (1-2), Christy Moorehouse (0-8, 7f), Mikey Boland (0-1). Subs: Pádraig Doyle for A Murphy (H/T), Brian Nesbitt (0-2) for M Boland (55), Cian Lohan for M Lennon (50), Ben McCormack for E McCormack (57).
Carnew Emmets: Bob Fitzgerald (0-2, 2f); John Young, Conall McCrea, Martin O’Brien; Aaron Kinsella, James McGing (0-1), John Doyle; Justin House, Adrian Myers (1-0); Pádraig Doran (0-5, 4f), Wayne Kinsella, Jack Doyle (0-1); Dan Redmond (1-1), Eoin Kavanagh, Tommy Collins. Subs: John Doyle Jnr for J Doyle (29, inj), Paudie McGing for J Young (39), Owen Young for J Doyle (52).
Referee: Liam Keenan Jnr (Aughrim)
