Match Report by Seanán Moley
Middletown 0-21 Keady 0-19
Middletown were the comeback kings yet again in the Senior Hurling Final. Just like the 2024 final, they left it late to beat their old rivals Keady who must be feeling like they’re stuck in groundhog day.
It was Keady who started the game in the ascendancy. Conor Corvan struck with a brilliant free in the first minute from wide out on the touchline. Corvan was exceptional in the first half in both fielding and scoring, racking up 8 points by the break.
Despite a slow start Middletown stayed within reach. Dean Gaffney took advantage of the few chances he had to keep his team in the game.
Puck out press
Keady had a strong domination of the puck outs in the first half, be it a clean catch or on the break they had their opposition under immense pressure. They kept the scoreboard ticking over.
At half time the lead was four and Keady looked buoyed. Middletown came out for the second half needing a response and that’s exactly what they brought.
Rory Grimes came on in midfield and started running it. Slowly over twenty minutes they made their way into the game. Gaffney put on a brilliant display of shooting, notching thirteen points throughout the day.
Panic started to set in for Keady as the gap tightened. Needless fouls and handling errors began to creep into their game. Barry Shortt pulled off an unbelievable block to keep the ball out of the net after Cahal Carvill had beat the keeper, but it wasn’t enough.
Ben Toal was brought on for Na Fianna and made the winning contribution. Three points, including one outstanding effort from wide on the right, drew his team level and then put them into the lead right at the death. The comeback complete and the Jimmy Carlisle Cup goes back to Middletown for yet another year.