Kearns’ golden goal secures Division 3 Hurling League title for the Parish

St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield 2-14 O’Callaghan’s Mills 0-17
It really doesn’t matter if you lead early in a match or are chasing the game for lengthy spells but what does matter though is who is ahead when it counts the most and that’s at the final whistle. On Sunday morning out in Tulla the men from the Parish epitomised resilience and got their just rewards for never surrendering when grabbing the lead for the only time in the sixtieth minute to practically steal a cracking league final that was played in a hugely sporting manner. It was two second strings but nobody who was in Dr.Daly Park would have guessed that as these two played out a superbly contested battle that ebbed and flowed throughout with the result in doubt right up until referee Pat Healy’s full time whistle. Level on six occasions it took a late late Conor Kearns goal to decide the destination of league honours. One could only feel for the Kilkishen club as they had given their absolute all but one could only admire the resilience of the Parish side in equal stead as they trailed throughout and indeed only took the lead for the first time with Kearns late strike.
The Mills did start the brighter of the two with some fine points from Sean Murphy and a Conor Cooney peach helping them to open up an early lead. By the end of the opening quarter that lead was four points and in truth looked only looked like being added to as the Kilkishen men were first to every ball. St Joseph’s were in real trouble but when they needed a slice of fortune they certainly got it when forward Michael Nash’s goal bound shot was deflected to the net for a much needed score. Points were exchanged before a Sean Murphy free closed out the first half action and send Ger Moroney’s men to the dressing rooms a point to the good on a 0-10 to 1-6 scoreline. In truth they should have been further ahead but once play resumed  they upped the ante and a brace of Murphy frees and a Cathal Lenihan peach increased the lead to four and there only looked like being one winner from here.  Cue the introduction of Kearns, the Parish revival and a dramatic action packed finish. Four unanswered points and suddenly with four minutes to play we were from nowhere all square. With the clock ticking down both Sean Murphy and Padraic O’Donovan nailed pressure laden frees and extra time looked a distinct possibility. A wonder over the shoulder score from Murphy suddenly looked like winning the title for the Mills before Kearns last gasp strike and a Tom Curran beauty closed out the action and saw the Parish claim the Division 3 league honours in what was a highly entertaining contest.

St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield: Conor Nash, Charlie Hannan, Darragh O’Callaghan, Paddy Nagle, Senan Crosbie, Kevin Dilleen, Emmet Whelan, Sean O’Connell, Conor Daly, Barry Millane, Matthew Power, Padraic Geraghty, Michael Nash, Eoin Burke, Padraic O’Donovan
Subs: Tom Curran for B Millane (40), Conor Kearns for M Power (47), Cian Moloney for E Whelan (55), Fionn Mulqueen for P Geraghty (60)

Scorers: Conor Kearns 1-2, Michael Nash 1-1, Barry Millane 0-4 (3f), Padraic O’Donovan 0-3 (3f), Tom Curran, Emmet Whelan, Senan Crosbie, Matthew Power 0-1 each

O’Callaghan’s Mills: David McGrath, Niall Donovan, Gerard Cooney, Ronan Kelly, Eoghan McGrath, Niall McNamara, Rory McNamara, Cathal Lenihan, John Cooney, Eoin McInerney, Conor Cooney, Billy Scanlon, Sean Boyce, Kevin O’Callaghan, Sean Murphy
Subs: Niall Melody for N Donovan inj (28), Christy Philpot for E McInerney (47), Henry McGrath for K O’Callaghan (55), Cathal McNamara for J Cooney inj (60)

Scorers: Sean Murphy 0-10 (6f), Sean Boyce 0-3 (2f), Niall McNamara, Eoin McInerney, Cathal Lenihan, Conor Cooney 0-1 each

Referee: Pat Healy (Kilmaley)