Knockshe retain Division 6 Hurling League crown

GAA: FBD Insurance County Hurling League Division 6 Final

Knockshegowna 3-13

Rosegreen 1-11

Report: Liam Hogan in Templetuohy

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Michael Egan (Knockshegowna).

SCORERS - Knockshegowna: Michael Egan 1-6 (0-4 frees); Paul Kennedy 2-2; Michael Cleary 0-2; Eamon Murphy, Adrian Browne, Darren Browne 0-1 each.

Rosegreen: Charlie Hayde 0-6 (5 frees); Colm Hayde 1-2 (0-2 frees); Dan Hayde, Podge Quinlan 0-1 each.

A man of the match performance by Michael Egan helped Knockshegowna retain their County Hurling League Division 6 title when they had eight points to spare over a very game Rosegreen side in the final on Friday.

Egan came on as a substitute in the seventh minute and scored 1-6 to steer the holders to victory with a great performance.

Leading by six with twelve minutes remaining, there was a moment when they conceded 1-1 in the 56th minute they might lose their grip on the title, however, they could rely on their experience and two late goals ensured victory much to the delight of their supporters who must be more confident of their chances of doing well in the championship later on in the year.

The game was six minutes old when Paul Kennedy had Knockshegowna in front with a free before Dan Hyde levelled three minutes later. Michael Egan’s arrival two minutes later (in place of the injured Paul Lake) certainly changed the colour of the game. His ability to win aerial ball was notable and within three minutes he had scored brilliant goal.

However, Rosegreen, with Ben Corcoran, James Walsh and Colm Hyde doing well in defence plus Seanie Ryan and Dan Hyde at midfield, took little time in getting back on terms as they scored three unanswered points in five minutes from Podge Quinlan and two from Charlie Costello, the second from a 65.

In response, Knockshe proved they were just as accurate with Michael Egan (who had taking over the frees from the normally accurate Paul Kennedy) converted, plus a great score from play before Eamon Browne scored a great point out on the wing.

Rosegreen full forward Ger Cummins replied but the Browne brothers, Darren & Adrian were in excellent form also as they increased Knockshe’s lead to four by the 24th minute.

Frees by Charlie Costello and Colm Hayde narrowed the lead to two, but Egan had the finals say of the half as his free moved the holders 1-7 to 0-7 in front at half time.

Michael Cleary’s introduction in place of Declan Costello at half time paid dividends very early when he increased Knockshe’s lead, extended to six after two Michael Egan frees by the 40th minute.

Six minutes later, Knockshe keeper Richard King needed all his experience to parry Charlie Costello’s long range metre free over the bar but another Egan free had Knockshe six in front after 48 minutes.

Knockshegowna were looking good, and their defence of Darren Browne, Graham Geraghty and Colm Browne certainly had the edge although there were occasional glimpses of what Rosegreen could do and then like a jolt out of the blue the West Tipp side were suddenly two in arrears after Charlie Costello pointed a free quickly followed by a Colm Hayde goal in the 54th minute.

The response from Knockshe was swift as Michael Cleary pointed before Charlie Costello replied with a long range free. It was all to play for. But quick as a flash Knockshe came once more when Paul Kennedy found the net after a neat lay off by Michael O’Brien. Michael Egan’s point from play had Knockshe’s lead out to six once more as the game was heading towards the hour mark.

Rosegreen tried to cut the margin but all they could manage was a Colm Hyde free, their final score. Very soon the ball was back in the Rosegreen goal area. Confusion reigned before suddenly Paul Kennedy found room for a simple tap in, his second goal and Knockshe were champions once again.

TEAMS - Knockshegowna: Richard King (7); Padraig Brennan (7), Dan Smith (7), Jack Bond (7); Darren Browne (8), Graham Gohery (7), Colm Browne (7); Niall O’Lone (7), Adrian Browne (7); Paul Kennedy (7), Mark O’Meara (6), Eamon Murphy (7); Michael O’Brien (6), Paul Lake (NR), Declan Costello (6).

Subs: Michael Egan (8) for Lake (7 inj); Michael Cleary (8) for Costello (HT); Michael Gohery (NR) for Murphy (60); Gearoid Sampson (NR) for Brennan (60).

Rosegreen: Chris Geraghty (7); Ben Corcoran (7), James Walsh (7), Jake Phelan (7); Ross Bourke (5), Colm Hayde (7), Tom Dowling (6); Seanie Ryan (6), Dan Hyde (7); Podge Quinlan (6), Charlie Costello (6), Keith Bergin (6); Kevin Tobin (6), Ger Cummins (6), Tony Kerwick (6).

Subs: Colm Geraghty (6) for Tobin (HT); Nick Ryan (6) for Bourke (41); Pa Ryan (6) for Kerwick (46).

Referee: Sean Everard (Moyne-Templetuohy).