Wicklow SHC final: Carnew Emmets 0-16 vs Bray Emmets 2-08
Carnew Emmets defeated 6 in a row champions Bray Emmets after a stellar second half for their first Wicklow Senior Hurling championship win since 2009. Both sides produced a nervy, error-ridden first half before settling into a classic which ended a long wait for the roll of honour leaders.
A missed free each from Owen Young and Christy Moorehouse began proceedings in what was a scrappy start. What followed was a spell full of missed chances as both sides saw good scoring opportunities squandered until the 21st minute when back to back to back finalists Bray and Carnew really got going, which was always going to happen.
Rory Stokes began the second round of scoring which received a massive reaction from the Carnew faithful as he landed a long-range point following a good tackle from Conall McCrea on Bray's talisman, Moorehouse.
Not to be outdone, Moorehouse quickly responded with two frees of his own before an Owen Young placed ball response and a Jack Doyle snap shot up the other end steadied the tide.
A major then followed when Andrew Conway found himself in space on the Carnew 13-yard line and finished deftly, past Bob Fitzgerald, having received a super pass from Marc Lennon. Eoin Kavanagh then hit back taking over the frees from Owen Young who had been replaced at this point to end the half leaving a point between the sides.
The second half started in a completely different gear as Ken Cullen and Marc Lennon traded points in the first two minutes of the second half. Kavanagh then added a further free as he settled into his new role before Bray veteran Mikey Lee announced himself on the scene with a point in the 2025 final.
Moorehouse hit back with a free, however, Carnew substitute Dan Redmond's point from on the side-line signalled the start of a purple patch which would propel his side to victory.
Fionn Darcy and Kavanagh added two beauties of their own immediately after, before both sides added frees, which included two from distance from Padraig Doran.
The eventual Man of the Match created a moment of magic to land another Carnew score minutes later, jinking into space to lob a shot over from distance and Kavanagh converted another free until Bray responded.
Moorehouse nearing time, sensed a goal was needed and won a great ball inside and passed to Padraig Doyle, who roofed his strike for a goal, leaving two points between the sides heading for additional time.
But that was as close as Bray would get as the two sides would trade points and Carnew would hold on for an historic victory.
Carnew Emmets: B Fitzgerald; C Redmond, C McCrea, R O'Brien; J McGing, P Doran (0-02, 2f), M O'Brien; A Kinsella, R Stokes (0-01); K Cullen (0-02), O Young (0-02, 2f), T Collins; F Darcy (0-01), J Doyle (0-02), E Kavanagh (0-05, 4f).
Subs: D Redmond (0-01) for O Young (30), J Doyle for A Kinsella (h/t), J Howes for R O’Brien (60).
Bray Emmets: C McNally; B Kearney, K Lacey, E McCormack; S Kenny, J Henderson, D Henderson; D Maloney, L Maloney; M Lennon (0-01), C Moorehouse (0-06, 5f 1 65), R McMahon; W Cash, P Doyle (1-00), A Conway (1-00).
Subs: M Lee (0-01) for W Cash (h/t), D Masterson for A Conway (51), B McCormack for R McMahon (58).
Referee: Liam Keenan
