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Hurling

hurling

Hugely successful 2017 Bank of Ireland Celtic Challenge ends on a high

Aidan Griffin

Aidan Griffin

Six finals were up for grabs on D-Day for the 2017 Bank of Ireland Celtic Challenge and after a hectic day's action three of the cups went to Ulster sides.

Overall, there were thrills aplenty in a series of closely contested and evenly matched deciders.

In the top flight a battle-hardened South Tipp edged the Corn Michael Hogan final.

Meanwhile, Antrim won the Corn John Scot Division two final in thrilling fashion. Their Ulster neighbours Down won the Corn William Robinson.

In Division Four South-East Limerick beat Carlow in the Corn Jerome O'Leary decider, while Roscommon beat Armagh in the Corn Michael Feery final and Tyrone beat Fermanagh 0-14 - 1-10 in the Corn Tom Hogan Cup decider.

Here's a little flavour of all the action.

South Tipperary

South Tipperary

Division One Final - Corn Michael Hogan

SOUTH TIPPERARY 2-11 GALWAY MAROON 0-16

By Sean Walsh & Fergus McGrath

There was joy for South Tipp and heartbreak for Galway Maroon in Netwatch Dr Cullen Park in Carlow last Saturday when the Galway side came up just short in the Celtic Challenge Div 1 Michael Hogan Cup Final.

A spirited second half into the wind saw Galway Maroon came back from five points down on 37 minutes to bring it to the bare minimum by the final whistle.

But South Tipp have edged out a number of tight tussles this season and that resilience was to the fore once more.

Ironically both sides played better into the wind and South Tipperary were pleased to be just 0-8 to 0-7 in arrears at the interval after having faced the elements.

Galway though would rue seven first half wides and a match total of 11. They finally got going in the nine minutes before half time when they outscored Tipp by 0-5 to 0-1 to eke out a 0-8 to 0-7 interval lead. John Fleming, Niall Coen, Nathan Earner and Enda Egan, with a free & a 65, shot those 5 scores, with Eoin Caulfield, Egan and Noel Keogh having raised white flags in the opening quarter.

Just as South Tipperary had opened the first half brightly the Tip side did likewise in the second half hitting 2-1 to Galway Maroon’s 0-1 in the early stages of the half with the South Tipperary point coming from the energetic Martin Keogh and the goals coming from Aaron Ryan and Tomas Vaughan, both following great work from Stephen Grogan wo was causing a lot of problems at full forward.

The Westerners point came from the impressive John Fleming who also had an attempt at goal which was excellently blocked by Josh Ryan. From here to the end of the game both defences excelled which ensured that scores from play were at a premium.

Both defences were so tenacious that of the remaining nine scores only two would be scored from play with these coming from South Tipperary midfielders Martin Keogh and Riain Quigley respectively.

Galway Maroon’s Enda Egan ensured that South Tipperary indiscretions were punished from placed balls whereas Aidan Griffin and Eoghan Connolly did likewise for the Munster men. Eoghan Connolly’s late long distance free to put South Tipperary three points up was worthy of any stage at any grade.

Celtic Challenge

Celtic Challenge

Division Two Final - Corn John Scott

ANTRIM 2-17 NORTH CORK 1-12

A five star display from Sean Elliott helped Antrim to Bank of Ireland Celtic Challenge glory over North Cork last Saturday.

The Glens side claimed the Corn John Scott for the first time with Elliot firing 1-11.

It was a huge win for the Ulster side and man of the match Elliot looks was backed up well by his teammates in a super display from the youngsters.

Ryan McGarry and Conal Bohill led the way in defence and paved a way to a glorious win in the opening 30 minutes.

An Oisin McAuley goal on the stroke of half time left North Cork in trouble and even though they had the backing of a strong wind they seemed hesitant to let the ball go direct. Eight points separated the sides at the full time whistle.

Celtic Challenge

Celtic Challenge

Division Three Final - Corn William Robinson

DOWN 3-11 - DUBLIN PLUNKETT 1-11

A burst of late Dublin Plunkett goals were not enough to stop team of the tournament Down from landing the Corn William Robinson last Saturday.

Ronan Sheehan's men have been absolute stars in this competition. The Cork native has used the Bank of Ireland Celtic Challenge to mobilise hurlers from outside the Ards peninsula stronghold to come together as a force for hurling in the county.

Ronan Costello was on fire and was named Down's Best and Fairest player on the day, while Cian McHugh took the award for the Dubs side.

A pep talk from Limerick wing back Seamus Hickey before the game certainly did the Ulster side no harm either as they dominated their opponents for most of this game, until they let their foot off the pedal near the end.

Down led by a whopping 2-9 - 0-4 at the break and so victory look assured at that stage but the Dublin side kept pressing right until the end and were rewarded with a burst of late goals.

Celtic Challenge

Celtic Challenge

Division Four Final - Corn Jerome O'Leary

South East Limerick 3-18 - Carlow 2-16

A three minute spell of sheer proficiency saw Limerick come back from the dead to score 2-2 and win the Corn Jerome O'Leary Cup final in dramatic circumstances last Saturday.

The home side looked on in agony as that late 2-2 burst put paid to their chances of a massive win.

The free-taking of Sean O'Leary kept Limerick in the hunt throughout but at one stage Carlow looked like they were almost home and dry.

At half time they led 1-8 - 0-4 and it seemed like they would not be stopped.

Late on with the game on a knife edge they had a penalty saved too which only added to their disappointment.

Limerick City and West Limerick also had teams in the Bank of Ireland Celtic Challenge but South-East Limerick looked resilient through all five group games – East Cork, South Tipperary, West Waterford, East Waterford and Cork City.

After progressing to the knockout stages of Division Four they beat Kerry and then scored a 2-15 to 0-12 semi final win over Meath Royals before completing the job against Carlow.

The Limerick side was managed by Ollie Coffey, with his backroom team completed by Limerick hurling captain James Ryan – both full-time coaches. They were joined by Val Murnane (Caherline), Declan Murphy (Hospital-Herbertstown) and Gearoid Power (Garryspillane).

Celtic Challenge

Celtic Challenge

Division Five Final - Corn Michael Feery

Roscommon 2-15 - Armagh 0-13

This game looked to be all one way traffic in the first half and it looked very much like the Rossies had the cup in the bag by the interval as they led 1-12 - 0-2.

But the westerners were made to sweat it out a little near the end.

Roscommon's Matthew Comerford went off with a leg injury and it took a second goal with five minutes left to steer them clear and leave it 2-15 - 0-13 at the end.

Five points early in second half for Armagh brought the young Ulster side back into contention  but with Oisin Kelly on fine form from the frees for Roscommon, the likes of Fionntan Donnelly could not get enough traction for Armagh despite their best efforts and they fell short at the end.

Division Six Final - Corn Tom Hogan

Tyrone 0-14 Fermanagh 1-10

This was a closely contested and intriguing final from start to finish.

At half time it was really all to play for on as Tyrone led 0-10 to Fermanagh's 1-5 at the Garvaghey Centre of Excellence last Saturday.

Tyrone captain James McCann and marksman Rory Weir were in fine form.

But then Fermanagh roared right back into the game and pushed the home side to the very limit, attacking until the end.

Ultimately, however, the efforts of the Fermanagh boys fell just short and it was Armagh skipper McCann who lifted Corn Tom Hogan.

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