County under 21 A Hurling Final – Saturday, 30th March
Kilmaley 3-17 Crusheen/Tubber 1-7
Kilmaley left nothing to chance after the restart as they ran out comfortable winners in Cusack Park. Kevin McNamara’s charges led 2-4 to 1-3 at half-time thanks to two Peter Ronan goals but nine wides kept Crusheen/Tubber in touch.
Aidan McNamara’s goal before half-time brought last year’s B champions back into contention but Kilmaley didn’t yield afterwards, outscoring their opponents by 1-13 to 0-4 finishing with John Finnucane’s goal.
Crusheen/Tubber were in their first A decider and enjoyed a solid start with Ross Hayes’ converting a free but their opponents turned things around by the sixth minute.
Finucane was involved in the move that allowed Peter Ronan take on his man and finish to the net. After Sean O’Loughlin added a point, Daniel Walshe was the provider for the second Kilmaley major as Ronan struck again.
Kilmaley went 2-2 to 0-1 ahead on the quarter hour as John Finucane. O’Loughlin’s free added to their tally but Cian Ketelaar and Jonah Culligaan brought the deficit back to six points before Aidan McNamara struck what looked a crucial goal.
O’Loughlin left it 2-4 to 1-3 at half-time but within three minutes of the restart, Kilmaley pulled clear through Cathal Darcy, Ronan and James McGuire. And even though Ross Hayes converted three Crusheen/Tubber frees and Colm O’Brien, Kilmaley never let their advantage slip.
O’Loughlin added eight more scores along with James McGuire and Tom O’Rourke before John Finnucane put the icing on the cake with the third goal on 72 minutes as Kilmaley took the county under 21 A hurling title.
Scorers – Kilmaley: Sean O’Loughlin 0-11, Peter Ronan 2-1, John Finnucane 1-1, James McGuire 0-2, Cathal Darcy 0-1, Tom O’Rourke 0-1.
Scorers – Crusheen/Tubber: Ross Hayes 0-4, Aidan McNamara 1-0, Cian Ketelaar 0-1, Jonah Culligan 0-1, Colm O’Brien 0-1.