Accurate Glynn steers Skehana juniors to glory in rousing final

Date Published: 31-Oct-2012

Skehana 2-17

Mícheál Breathnachs 1-16

Eoghan Cormican at Kenny Park

(After extra time)

THOUGH the crowd, and indeed the conditions, were far removed from what preceded a day earlier, this Junior 1 hurling championship final proved a red hot encounter between two sides of flawless honesty and character.

It mightn’t always have been an open and flowing fare and, of course, mistakes were plentiful, but this proved, undoubtedly, the game of the weekend, a low-key decider crammed with passion, spirit and an unrelenting determination from two sides who simply refused to die.

Every catch and puck of the sliotar was contested with admirable vigour and drive with both sides throwing themselves into tackles, wholly determined in their quest to be crowned champions and claim the honour of representing Galway in the All-Ireland junior club championship.

Over the course of the normal time, Mícheál Breathnachs looked to have just done enough to secure victory only to be caught in the dregs of injury time when a 63rd minute Jarleth Fahy point from play levelled matters.

Breathnachs had held a three point advantage with five minutes remaining and though Brendan Costello reduced arrears, there was still two between the sides with two of the three additional minutes elapsed. Joey Glynn, such an influential figure in the Skehana win, knocked over a placed ball effort thereafter and then came Fahy’s inspirational point when all appeared lost.

That tied the sides at 1-13 apiece as referee Tom O’Connor blew up for full-time allowing both sides re-charge for the much anticipated extra-time serving. Joey Glynn picked up where he left off for the first period of extra-time, raising yet another white flag, before supplying the delivery that was eventually flicked to the net by substitute Martin Connolly.

Niall Carty added subsequently to Skehana’s tally and the North Galway club enjoyed a fully merited five point advantage heading into the second period. From a position, towards the end of normal time, of looking like they were gone, Skehana were now on the brink of success and consequently, it was Breathnach’s turn to chase their opponents and chase they did.

Seán Chóil Ó Finneadha slotted his fifth free of the contest, Breathnach’s first score in over 20 minutes, to narrow the gap and though the wing-back was again on target soonafter, the required major never looked like materialising itself and fittingly, Glynn sealed the win with his tenth point of the afternoon.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.