Saturday 12th September 2020, The Bog Garden, Rathkeale.
Croagh/Kilfinny/Rathkeale U16 hurlers took on Dromin/Athlaca/Banogue in the County U16 Final on Saturday morning 12th September in a sun soaked Bog Garden.
Dromin/Athlaca/Banogue attacked us from the start and were 1-01 up inside the first 4 minutes. It took our boys some time to settle and get to grips with the pace of the game and we had our first point on the board after 5 minutes of play. Exchanges were tough and fair and the sides were pretty evenly matched. The score at the 15 minute water break was Dromin/Athlaca/Banogue 1-03 Croagh/Kilfinny/Rathkeale 0-02.
After the resumption Dromin/Athlaca/Banogue added 2 more points from play and our lads dug deep to keep in touch with 2 points from play. Points were exchanged from frees and play and we ended up down 4 points at half time on the scoreline of Dromin/Athlaca/Banogue 1-07 Croagh/Kilfinny/Rathkeale 0-06.
We started the 2nd half better and had the first score from play inside the 1st minute. Dromin/Athlaca/Banogue replied with a point from play and then came our purple patch. We hit 2-3 between the 7th and 14th minutes of the 2nd half to lead at the 2nd water break by 5 points, Croagh/Kilfinny/Rathkeale 2-10 Dromin/Athlaca/Banogue 1-08.
Our purple patch continued after the resumption and we scored a goal from a penalty on 19 minutes and added a further 2 points, one from a free and one from play to lead with 21 minutes gone in the 2nd half by 10 points, 3-12 to 1-08.
Dromin/Athlaca/Banogue were not going to give up easily and fought their way back into the game and in a four minute spell scored 3 goals, 2 from play and one from a free. This setup a grandstand finish with just 1 point separating the sides heading into the final 2 minutes. Our backs held firm under an onslaught from Dromin/Athlaca/Banogue and refused to give in. We got that all important point the killed off their challenge to put 2 points between the sides with time almost up.
The final whistle was greeted with huge relief and sheer delight and we were crowned U16 County Champions for 2020. Huge congratulations to the players, Team Management Paul Sheehy, Mike Sheehan, Liam O'Carroll and Seamus Stapleton.
The cup was presented by County Bord na nOg Chairman Pat Davoren to Captain James Dollery, who gave a fine speech.
Final Score: Croagh/Kilfinny/Rathkeale 3-13(22) Dromin/Athlaca/Banogue 4-08(20).
The Team was as follows: 1. Cian Sheehy 2. Billy Lenihan 3. James Dollery(Capt) 4. Odhran Kiely 5. Maurice Lenihan 6. Niall Sheehan 7. Jim Lenihan 8. Ryan Stapleton(0-1) 9. Cian O'Carroll(1-04) 10. David Clancy(0-1) 11. Charlie Ward(0-1) 12. Aidan O'Shea(0-1) 13. Declan Walsh(1-0) 14. Elliot Roche 15. Owen Sweeney(1-5). Subs were Cathal Mulcair for Elliot Roche, Billy Kelliher, Ger Madigan, Neil Teskey, Tim Molyneaux, Eoin Dee.
