LOUTH SPECIAL HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL (MAURICE MURPHY CUP)

KNOCKBRIDGE 3-18 ST FECHINS 1-15

Knockbridge required two extra time goals from substitute Conor Deane to see off a gallant Fechins side in this exciting Louth Special Hurling Championship Final at Ballybailie on Thursday evening (May 31).

The Termonfechin outfit started brightly to lead by 0-3 to 0-1 after just five minutes with young Paddy Lynch accounting for two of those early scores. The lead changed hands when Knockbridge grabbed 1-2 without reply with Mick Lundon netting from close range on 12 minutes. The Fechins drew level when Cathal Ryan pounced from close range after keeper Brendan McNally saved initially from Sean Brennan. The sides shared the next six points before a Brian Stephenson point had the South Louth outfit leading by 1-7 to 1-6 at half time.

The sides were still tied at 1-10 a piece after 51 minutes of play before substitute Conor Deane made an immediate impact on his introduction with a good brace of points from play. A free from Brian Stephenson on 57 minutes cut the deficit to the minimum as Paddy Lynch held his nerve to send over a 65 metre free with the last puck of the game to force extra time to the delight of his side’s supporters.

After Gavin Kane pointed for Knockbridge, Paddy Lynch responded with a brace of points from frees to give his side the lead with seven minutes of extra time played. This game was decided by two goals inside 60 seconds from Deane who scored both goals with the boot, the first in impressive style.

The Fechins replied with a point from Donal Ryan but this was to be their final score as Knockbridge wrapped up the victory with five successive points from David Kettle, Sean Byrne (2) and Paul Dunne (2) to record their first success in this competition since 2010.

Afterwards captain Sean Byrne was presented with the Maurice Murphy Cup from (grandson) Alex Murphy and Maurice Murphy (son).

KNOCKBRIDGE: Brendan McNally; Conal Byrne, Tony Teefy, Niall Byrne; Noel Callan, Paul Dunne (0-3), Ricky McKeown; Brian Dunne (0-1), Conor Kerrigan; Sean Byrne (0-7), David Kettle (0-3), Gavin Kane (0-2); Paudie Kierans, Shane Darcy, Mick Lundon (1-0). Subs – Ronan Mulholland for R McKeown, Conor Deane (2-2) for P Kierans, James Costello for M Lundon, Stephen Kettle for N Callan, Robert Wallace for S Darcy, Emmet McEneaney for N Byrne.

ST FECHINS: Stephen Hackett; Cormac McAuley, Barry Duggan, Jason O Sullivan; Caoimhin Seery, Barry Devlin, Oisin Byrne; Paddy McCormack, Donal Ryan (0-1); Sean Brennan (0-3), Paul Dillon, Michael Byrne; Brian Stephenson (0-1), Paddy Lynch (0-9), Cathal Ryan (1-1). Subs – Matthew McEvoy  for B Duggan, Ronan Gorman for B Stephenson.

  REFEREE: Kevin Brady.

[Report: Maurice Murphy]