Late scores from Power and Quirke get Galtee Rovers across the line in west Tipperary

Galtee Rovers 3-15 Rockwell Rovers 1-20

A late Bill Quirke pointed free ensured 2021 champions Galtee Rovers got a winning start to the Gleeson Concrete West Junior A Hurling Championship, as they edged out Rockwell Rovers in Annacarty.

Played in overcast but dry conditions, this game ebbed and flowed, as both teams lay credentials at various stages of the game for victory. With just a minute of normal time on the clock it looked doubtful for the eventual winners, who trailed by four until Shane Power gave them a lifeline with a third green flag.

This was followed by two pointed frees from Quirke to ensure victory.

Scores were slow to come by at the start with Tony Byron (from a free) cancelling out an Alan Moloney pointed free in the first five minutes. Both sides struggled for scores but the game came to life in the 13th minute when Jim Quirke got Galtee Rovers' first goal. Tony O’Brien’s effort dropped short but was collected by Quirke, who had his initial effort blocked before he pulled on the ball on the ground to the net.

This was quickly followed by points from Robbie Byron and Bill Quirke, as Galtee Rovers looked in control.

At the beginning of the first quarter Rockwell Rovers were right back in the contest when a long range free from Alan Moloney went all the way to the Galtee net off the fingers of Eoin White.

Moloney was their scorer-in-chief in the opening half with 1-7, including 1-5 from placed balls.

It was now Rockwell’s turn to take control and Moloney hit four on the bounce from placed balls, as Rockwell pulled 1-6 to 1-4 ahead after 21 minutes.

Again, the lead changed hands when Eoghan Brennan’s effort for a point evaded all to hit the net. Daire Egan and Tony O’Brien got on the scoreboard to extend the 2021 champions' advantage.

It looked as if Galtee Rovers might hold that advantage to the break but the ebb and flow nature continued, with Rockwell reeling four points off in a row, including two from Kevin Cleary, as they took a one-point advantage to the dressing rooms at the break, 1-10 to 2-6.

Rockwell Rovers introduced Tom Tobin and Joe Lawrence into attack at the interval. Tony O’Brien and Tom Downey swapped early points and Rockwell were keeping a point clear but by the eighth minute Bill Quirke had drawn the sides level with two from placed balls.

Quirke would have a huge say from placed balls during the remainder of the half.

Rockwell were starting to dominate the midfield battle, with Liam Fahy and Kevin Cleary providing a real presence there. Cleary added two points before Alan Moloney, with a point from play, had Rockwell three ahead in the eleventh minute.

As in the first half, the lead changed hands and this half was no different. Quirke added another three from placed balls and three minutes into the final quarter Eamon Quirke got his name on the scoresheet to put Galtee Rovers a point up.

Rockwell responded with five of their own, including two from substitute Joe Lawrence to push four clear with eight to play.

It looked as if Rockwell would push on and entering the final minute of play the gap remined at four.

Shane Power, who had been strong at wing back alongside Tony Bryon at centre back, was now playing in a more advanced position and Galtee had a boost when Power, who had continued his run, took a pass from Tony O’Brien and rattled the Rockwell net.

Bill Quirke then became the hero with two further pointed frees, the second in the fourth minute of injury time to sneak victory for Galtee Rovers.

Galtee Rovers: Bill Quirke (0-9 frees), Jim Quirke (1-0), Eoghan Brennan (1-0), Shane Power (1-0), Tony O’Brien (0-2), Tony Byron (0-1 free), Robbie Byron (0-1), Daire Egan (0-1), Eamon Quirke (0-1).

Rockwell Rovers: Alan Moloney (1-10, 1-7 frees), Kevin Cleary (0-4), Joe Lawrence (0-2), TJ Ryan (0-1), Tom Downey (0-1), Tom Tobin (0-1), Liam Fahy (0-1).

Galtee Rovers: Eoin White, Peter Carroll, David Harold Barry, Liam Finnane, Shane Power, Tony Byron, Sean Gubbins, Robbie Byron, Evan Kennedy, Bill Quirke, Daire Egan, Eoghan Brennan, Eamon Quirke, Tony O’Brien, Jim Quirke.

Sub used: Stephen Moloney.

Rockwell Rovers: Colm Moloney, Peter Heaney, Robert O'Donnell, Paul Halley, Liam Lonergan, Aidan Barron, Diarmuid Lonergan, Liam Fahy, Kevin Cleary, Tom Downey, Gavin Ryan, Patrick Hally, Alan Moloney, Michael O’Donnell, TJ Ryan.

Subs used: Joe Lawrence, Tom Tobin, Luca Fitzgerald, Diarmuid O’Brien, Willie Flynn.

Referee: Richie O’Connor (Arravale Rovers).