Celts pushed to the limit before retaining title

Senior Hurling Championship final

Cootehill Celtic 2-19

East Cavan Gaels 3-14

Kevin Óg Carney at Kingspan Breffni

Cootehill Celtic made it a hat-trick of county Senior Hurling Championship titles after a cracking final at Kingspan Breffni on Sunday afternoon last.

The game was in the melting pot throughout with the sides level on six separate occasions and it wasn’t until the final whistle that the Hoops were assured of victory.

Crucially the Gaels never managed to get their noses in front though but when Canice Maher arrowed over a free to level things at 3-14 to 2-17 with five minutes of normal time remaining, extra-time loomed large on the horizon.

Cootehill got up and running after 42 seconds with a point from man-of-the-match Mark Moffett but they would never manage to shake off the challenge of rivals who were making their first appearance in the final and who did themselves proud on their debut.

The Celts had the brighter start on the greasy sward and Moffett’s goal – after good work by Fiachra Hughes and Lonan McKenna - helped hoist Cootehill into a 1-5 to 0-2 lead after just nine frantic minutes.

The challengers were appropriately up for the game and they continued to bring the fight to the match favourites and, at times, looked the hungrier and more determined side.

Cootehill led by seven points when the elusive Rory Farrell plundered a goal after being put through by James Tully in the 15th minute. Game on.

Cootehill appeared rocked and another goal from Jack McGuinness (21) – after good foraging by Jack Barry – left it all-square (1-7 to 2-4) for the first time in the match.

After their turbo charged opening ten minutes, Cootehill began to look far from assured but a fine point (23) from the influential Gavin Fitzpatrick, a neat effort from Darragh Boyle and a brace by Thomas Leonard eased the Celts into a four point lead (1-13 to 2-6) at half-time.

The Gaels came flying out of the starting blocks in the second half and it took a brillant diving save by full back Enda Shalvey to prevent Rory Farrell’s rocket (31) from reaching the Cootehill net.

Undeterred, the challengers retained their focus and again forced the issue with a brace of Canice Maher points coming after James Tully latched onto a long Canice Maher delivery and found the net level matters at 1-13 to 3-7 with 35 minutes on the clock.

Cootehill refused to let go off the tiller though and after Caoimhín Carney’s daisycutter (42) was batted out by ‘keeper McCormack-Higgins, Thomas Leonard was on hand to rifle home the rebound to the ECG net and leave the champions 2-15 to 3-9 in front.

Thereafter, East Cavan Gaels kept nipping away at Cootehill’s heels in the long run for home but, crucially, failed to draw blood.

And yet, when the chasing team again levelled matters (2-17 to 3-14) at the 55th minute mark – thanks in part to a fine point by sub. Brian Fitzgerald – the smart money would have been on a draw come the final whistle.

With the game in the balance, Cootehill were to unleash a sting in their tail though as the game entered the final five minutes of normal time.

Cootehill smelled blood as they eyed up the winning point(s) at the town end of the goal.

A driving run by Philip McCabe ended with him being fouled on the hour mark and Moffett showed he had ice in his veins by slotting over the resultant free.

East Cavan Gaels desperately tried to turn the tide but Moffett came good again to notch a trademark solo point three minutes into added-on time to seal the Celts’ 8th SHC title in total.

Cootehill Celtic: Niall Clerkin; James McKitterick, Enda Shalvey, Euan Crossan; Diarmaid Carney (0-2), John Carney, Darragh Boyle (0-1); Gavin Fitzpatrick (0-1), Conor Bannon; Rian Delaney (0-3), Thomas Leonard (1-5, 1f), Mark Moffett (1-6, 3f); Fiachra Hughes (0-2), Philip McCabe, Lonan McKenna.

Subs; Caoimhín Carney for L McKenna (37); Dylan Adams for E Crossan (41); Oliver Leddy for F Hughes (55).

East Cavan Gaels: Dave McCormack-Higgins; Darragh Madden, Cian McEntee, Killian Farrelly; Derek Argue, Adam Baldwin, Jack McGuiness (1-1); Jack Barry, Canice Maher (0-6,5f,‘65); Callum Shiel, Nicky Kenny (0-3), Tadhg Barry; Conor Walsh (0-1), Rory Farrell (1-2), James Tully (1-0).

Subs; Colin Gargan for D Argue (h-t); Daire Leddy for C Walsh (37); Brian Fitzgerald (0-1) for C Shiel (45); Kyle McGuinness for J Tully (51); James Tully for C McEntee (54).

Ref; J Emo (Butlersbridge)