Rockwell Rovers end 14-year wait to claim narrow West title victory against King Cormacs

Gleeson Concrete West Junior A Hurling Championship Final

Rockwell Rovers 1-20

Cashel King Cormacs 1-19

By Francis Coughlan

Rockwell Rovers bridged a 14-year gap to claim a fifth Gleeson Concrete West Junior A Hurling Championship title on Sunday at Pairc Ciocaim, Dundrum. 

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In a dramatic conclusion to the game, Anthony Walsh’s injury-time point looked to have swung the momentum with the Cashel men after his penalty six minutes previous had given Cashel a huge lifeline in the game that appeared to be going away from them. 

However, the pendulum was to swing again in the remaining minutes as the play continued. TJ Ryan would become the hero of the hour with two crucial points to rapturous roars from the Rockwell Rovers supporters. 

With one last play, Rockwell then forced a turnover and with that, the full-time whistle and a first Junior A Hurling title in 14 years.

The sides were level five times in the first half, which was a fairly even encounter. Cashel were reliant heavily on frees, with five of their first-half total of seven coming from Ross Whelan's placed balls. 

His counterpart at the other end, Alan Moloney, was equally as good, though Kevin Cleary and Liam Fahy played a huge part in their performance from both general play and on the scoresheet with two points each in that first 30, which saw them lead 0-10 to 0-7 at the interval.

The resumption of the second half remained close with Cashel bringing the deficit back to one before TJ Ryan’s goal gave Rockwell the momentum from which they added further points to push the lead out to six in the final quarter before the dramatic finish.

This was a keenly contested game from the off as neither side was willing to back down with numerous hooks and blocks. Rockwell Rovers had brought a hunger and aggression to their semi-final victory over Lattin/Cullen, and from the off it was clear that it was not a one-off. 

Rockwell Rovers played with the aid of a strong breeze into the dressing room end for the opening 30. The opening scores were dominated by placed balls, with Alan Moloney cancelling out Ross Whelan’s two opening points. 

Liam Fahy hit the first score from play in the seventh minute before Anthony Walsh responded in kind two minutes later. Rockwell were continuing to press forward with Cian O’Brien and Kevin Cleary getting their names on the scoreboard. Rockwell led early in the second quarter before another Ross Whelan free and a first from Jack McGrath tied the game for the third time. 

The game continued to remain close with the free takers continuing to play their part. Rockwell would finish the half stronger with points from Tom Downey and another Alan Moloney free to take a three-point interval lead, 0-10 to 0-7.

That three-point difference remained between the sides in the opening stages after the resumption as Alan Moloney and Kevin Cleary traded points with Andrew Irwin and Anthony Walsh. Cashel had that deficit back to one by the ninth minute, 0-13 to 0-12, with Anthony Walsh and Ross Whelan from another placed ball. 

Cashel looked to be getting a footing in the game, but were dealt a huge blow when TJ Ryan goaled at the railway end after 11 minutes. A ruck developed out near the corner of the stand, and after good work from Patrick Hickey, Liam Fahy emerged with the sliotar and, heading for goal, offloaded to TJ, who beat Eoghan Dunne one-on-one. 

Liam Fahy then added two superb points before Patrick Hickey had the gap out to six entering the final quarter. Rockwell continued to dictate terms and force turnovers with ferocious tackling. 

Those six points were still there as the game entered the final 10 minutes, as the sides traded further points. Jack McGrath brought it down to five, and the game remained without a score for another five minutes. Then McGrath, who was central to the Cashel revival, was brought down for a penalty. 

Anthony Walsh stepped up and made no mistake. McGrath, Whelan and Walsh all added points, and it appeared Cashel were going to pull off the win. Anthony Walsh and Andrew Irwin really led the charge from the back, making full use of the strong breeze. 

With the play now deep in injury time, TJ Ryan scored under pressure to tie the game, their first score in 13 minutes. It came as a huge relief. 

But the drama wasn’t done, and when Ryan got another chance almost immediately, he turned to his left to point to what would be the winner. Cashel did have another chance but were turned over, and with that, the final whistle.

Following the game, West Board Vice Chairman Michael McCarthy presented the Dr. Hickey Cup to Rockwell Rovers captain Robbie O’Donnell.

Rockwell Rovers: Alan Moloney (0-5f), Liam Fahy, Kevin Cleary 0-5 each, TJ Ryan 1-2, Cian O’Brien, Tom Downey, Patrick Hickey all 0-1.

Cashel King Cormacs: Ross Whelan 0-9f, Anthony Walsh (1-4, 1-0 pen), Jack McGrath 0-4, Andrew Irwin 0-2.

Rockwell Rovers: Colm Moloney; Liam Lonergan, Robbie O’Donnell, Peter Heaney; Andrew Tobin, Aidan Barron, Steve Boland; Kevin Cleary, Gavin Ryan; Tom Downey, Patrick Hickey, Alan Moloney; Cian O’Brien, TJ Ryan, Liam Fahy.

Subs used: Oisin Cummins for Heaney.

Cashel King Cormacs: Eoghan Dunne; Donal Ryan, Oisin Dwan, Aiden Skeffington; Paraic Brosnan, Andrew Irwin, Anthony Walsh; Dan Moloney, Colm Ryan; Callum Butler Buckley, Simon Delaney, Ross Whelan; Aaron Moloney, Jack McGrath, Fabian Ryan.

Subs used: Dylan Fitzelle for F Ryan; Lee Riordan for A Moloney.

Referee: Donal Ryan (Cappawhite)

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