Kilmuckridge 5-6 Blackwater 4-2

Three second half goals in three minutes proved to be the difference when Kilmuckridge met Blackwater in the final of this year’s Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Rackard League Roinn B hurling competition. There were lots of twists and turns to this final as nine goals overall reflected on an open and exciting game. Both teams were evenly matched across the field and there were no easy scores.

Blackwater got the first goal of the evening when full forward Páidí Murphy used a ground strike in limited space to squeeze the ball over the line. Kilmuckridge patiently picked off points in reply through Marin Kisov, Tomas Walsh and Sebastian Veal. Kilmuckridge then got a stroke of luck when Marin Kisov’s powerful shot was deflected into back of the Blackwater net. Further points were exchanged through frees before Blackwater sent the Alley boys a serious note just before halftime. Callum Byrne reacted quickest to a nifty Ultan O’Reilly ball into the square and leveled the game with a well taken goal.

The second half was a continuation of intense tackling and scores. Niall Furlong displayed some great hurling at centre back for Kilmuckridge. The stand erupted when a long range Tomás Walsh free dipped inexplicably into the far top corner of the Blackwater net. Moments later it was the Blackwater crowd who were celebrating when Barry Whelan’s long shot slipped in. More goals were to follow, but this time they all came from the one side. Kilmuckridge effectively killed off the game when three quick goals saw them surge into ten point lead.

The skilful Tomas Walsh was once again involved when he got the first goal after a clinical solo and finish to the bottom corner. Sebastian Veal scored a spectacular long range effort from out on the wing. Then Ben Fanning got in on the act when he muscled past several defenders to finish into the far corner.

Blackwater mustered one last push and reclaimed some pride through sheer force of will and a late goal. Inspired by some form of rugby maul, they somehow managed to push the ball over the line to get the final goal of the game despite several Alley defenders on the line. It was a fitting end to a very tough, physical match on an evening when both Kilmuckridge teams sealed a memorable Rackard League double.

Kilmuckridge: Owen Breen, Eoghan Redmond, Ciaran Murphy, Jack Challoner, Gearoid Kirwan, Niall Furlong, Cian Maleady, Marin Kisov, Rioch Fortune, Bill Fanning, Tomas Walsh, Ben Fanning, Conor Prendergast, Sebastian Veal, Rory Hughes, Sean Kavanagh, Rory Doran, Bobby Keegan, Dylan Keegan

Blackwater: Darragh Cullen, Seán Sammon, Callum Corrigan, Ryan Murphy, Darragh Byrne, Patrick Power, Ciarán Byrne, Ultan O’Reilly, Callum Mooney, Alex Dillane, Barry Whelan, Cillian Murphy, Callum Byrne, Páidí Murphy, Eoin O’Connor, Eoin Roche, Ross Carroll, Alphonse Marin, Zak Atkinson, Greg Donohue, Jack Jones