Middletown 2-20 Keady 2-12
Middletown edged a feisty and frantic championship hurling final to retain their senior crown for the third year on the trot.
A second half scoring spree saw the champions overcome a four-point half time deficit to win by eight in the end.
Goals Marty Moan and Kieran McKiernan along with Dean Gaffney’s accuracy helped secure the Jimmy Carlisle Cup.
A disallowed Middletown goal after ten minutes seemed to inspire Keady. Wing half forwards Marc Toal (2) and Conor Corvan putting the Lamh Dhearg men up by one.
Dean Gaffney levelled matters with a free but Keady kept their noses ahead. Fionntan Donnelly fired low to the corner from the penalty spot to make it a three point game.
Donnelly increased his sides lead, putting Keady ahead 1-8 to 0-7 at the interval. It was all to play for after the break and a Middletown revival was expected.
Turning point
Middletown hit the field after the turnaround with renewed intent. Marty Moan’s goal put them one ahead at the water break.
Marc Toal received his marching orders for his part in a skirmish as the game threatened to boil over. The red card helped to cool some of the high tempers, as Middletown continued to heap the pressure on their opponents.
Nathan Curry handed Middletown a four point advantage with two points from his first two touches. Keady got back in touch with James King slotting home a goal, but Middletown’s reply was instant.
Dean Gaffney and Marty Moan kept Kevin Hughes’ men in control before they put the result beyond doubt. Kieran McKernan’s lofty ball towards the square caught out the goalkeeper and rolled into the back of the night.
Cahal Carvill nailed the last score of the game to secure Middletown’s second three-in-a-row in seven years.
Middletown: Fintan Woods, Kieran McKernan, Paul Gaffney, Ben Toal 0-2, Pauric Hughes, Shea Gaffney, Tiarnan Nevin 0-1, Paddy McBride 0-1, Odhran Curry, David Carvill 0-1, Dean Gaffney 0-7 (7f), Shaun Toal, Ryan Gaffney 0-2, Cahal Carvill 0-3, Marty Moan 1-1. Subs: Paudie Lappin for S Toal (42), Nathan Curry 0-2 for B Toal (50), Martin Maguire for P Hughes (63).
Keady: Joby Burke, Jack Molloy, Stephen Renaghan, Barry Shortt, Oisin Keenan, Jojn Corvan, Sean Colton 0-1, James King 1-0, Jim Shortt, Mark Toal 0-3, Dylan McKenna, Conor Corvan 0-2, Fionntan Donnelly 1-6 (1 pen, 6f), Barry Molloy, Tiarnan O’Neill. Subs: Shea Harvey for B Molloy (42).
