O’Meara strikes late as Moneygall end 30-year wait for county glory

County U16 B Hurling Championship Final

Moneygall 2-12

Arravale Rovers 1-12

Moneygall survived a second-half fightback when Aidan O’Meara’s goal in the 55th minute helped secure their first County U16B Hurling title since 1996, when defeating Arravale Rovers in the final at Kilcommon last Sunday evening.

That goal had Moneygall six clear, but they continued to be under pressure from a gallant Arravale Rovers team who refused to die, and they scored a goal in the 63rd minute which could have been the leveller had Arravale not missed a gilt-edged chance of a goal ten minutes earlier.

This was in contrast to a first half when Moneygall, while playing direct hurling, managed to take a nine-point lead after twenty-five minutes, but somehow the lead was down to seven by half-time. Shooting eleven first-half wides didn’t help, while Arravale hit five in the same half.

The North champions were three points in front by the seventh minute thanks to two Jack Kennedy frees plus a brilliant Conor Keeshan point from the left. The wides total reached five by then, but there was no apparent panic. At the other end, their defence was touch-tight, with Gavin O’Brien lording matters at centre-back, ably assisted by Emmett Bourke and Michael Maher, while Oran Hoolan, Noah Treacy and Sean Maher were more involved, thus limiting Arravale’s attacking ability to one point, which came in the ninth minute after full-forward Cillian O’Dea hit the target.

The next seven minutes were devoid of scoring chances, with Arravale coming nearest to scoring, but Moneygall keeper Cathal Toohey got first to the ball ahead of Cillian O’Dea.

Then the game upped a notch and, in the 16th minute, a move involving Harry Jones and Conor Keeshan saw Jack Kennedy prise home a goal. A minute later, the Moneygall lead was out to six when Kennedy added a free after Hugh Smyth was fouled, before Kennedy added another free in the 19th minute.

It was all Moneygall now as Conor Keeshan added a point shortly after Arravale keeper Adam Gleeson cut out a drive by Jack Kennedy. There was more trouble at the Arravale goalmouth, with Adam Gleeson alert once more as he cleared Harry Jones’ effort off the line before Moneygall settled for a Kennedy free to see Moneygall nine clear with five to half-time.

That last five minutes before the break was ground-changing as Arravale suddenly sprung into life when Tomas Leahy scored, quickly followed by another point by Conor O’Meara in the corner. However, Conor Keeshan’s link-up with Harry Jones saw the latter score, but as play entered additional time, a Cillian O’Dea free left the half-time scoreline reading Moneygall 1-8 Arravale Rovers 0-4.

Arravale’s momentum continued to grow as the second half began, with the umpires moving into action within ninety seconds thanks to James Cotter, with Cillian O’Dea adding another point two minutes later.

Jack Kennedy’s free in the 39th minute was a relief to Moneygall as Arravale continued with their recovery, as another Cillian O’Dea free cut the deficit even more.

The next six minutes failed to produce a score, but Arravale continued to knock at the Moneygall door, which brought the best out of Gavin O’Brien and company.

Further out the field, Ryan Devitt was Arravale’s trump card and his point in the 48th minute was just reward for his team’s effort. Moneygall hit back with a Conor Nolan point, but Arravale persisted and back-to-back points through Leahy from play plus O’Dea from a free had the game in the melting pot.

Arravale had introduced Tomas Ryan O’Connor at half-time and his presence caused some anxiety to the Moneygall defence and, in the 53rd minute, he created a move before linking up with fellow substitute Dylan O’Donovan, who sent the Arravale following into rapturous applause as they saw the net shaking. However, joy soon turned into disappointment when the umpire correctly waved the ball wide. It was very close.

Despite the disappointment, Arravale continued their march and were within two of the leaders when Tomas Leahy scored his third point in the 54th minute.

What seemed a sure road to victory was now turning into a struggle and Moneygall needed a remedy and, one minute later, they had the perfect medicine when Aidan O’Meara emerged from a crowded area close to goal before shooting past Adam Gleeson. Seconds later, Moneygall were 2-11 to 0-11 in front after Jack Kennedy settled the nerves with a close-in free.

Ryan Devitt’s second point gave Arravale hope, but the lead was out to six again when Conor Keeshan pointed a minute into added time. However, the battle continued as Arravale came once more and won a close-in free which was brought closer to goal for dissent. Up stepped Cillian O’Dea, who fired low to the net.

Three points separated the teams as Arravale considered one last attack, which created panic in the Moneygall rearguard and resulted in another close-in free which O’Dea failed to register. Moneygall had survived, thus ending a twenty-year spell without silverware.

Moneygall: Cathal Toohey; Emmett Bourke, Oran Hoolan, Noah Treacy; Michael Maher, Gavin O’Brien, Sean Maher; Hugh Smyth, Conor Nolan (0-1); Jack Kennedy (1-7, 0-7f), Aidan O’Meara (1-0), Mark Coonan; Tomas Shanahan, Harry Jones (0-1), Conor Keeshan (0-3).

Subs used: Eoin Keeshan for T Shanahan (43).

Arravale Rovers: Adam Gleeson; Dylan Ryan, Eoin Heffernan, Charlie Considine; Tommy Sutton, Mark Duggan, Billy O’Brien; Paddy Kavanagh (Capt), Ryan Devitt (0-2); Charlie Cunningham, Tomas Leahy (0-3), Jamie Cotter (0-1); Alex Wilkinson, Cillian O’Dea (1-5, 1-4f), Conor O’Meara (0-1).

Subs used: Tomas Ryan O’Connor for Sutton (HT); Dylan O’Donovan for Wilkinson (48); Daniel Gleeson for O’Brien (58, inj).

Referee: Gerry Treacy (Borris-Ileigh)