Super St Earnan’s powered to Westmeath Féile Na nGael glory as they outplayed Raharney to land the spoils at Cusack Park last Sunday evening.
By Damien Maher
The outcome wasn’t a real surprise to the hurling fraternity in Westmeath as St Earnan’s have overpowered all before them this season, but this is a break with tradition, nonetheless and it’s fantastic to see such a talented side emerge from the Delvin/Brownstown area.
St Earnan’s now travel to the National Féile Na nGael finals in Ulster on June 19 and 20 as the Westmeath winners and they will be aiming to follow up last year’s success at the national event. It has been confirmed that Cushendall in Antrim will be their host club.
On what was a lovely evening for hurling, fans of the small ball game made their way back from the Westmeath/Laois game in Portlaoise to Cusack Park for this local underage final and the standard was decent, particularly from the well drilled winning side. At half-time St Earnan’s led by 3-5 to 0-2 and when Raharney threatened a second half fight back, man of the match, Dean Ennis came to the fore.
The talented centre forward was on hand to score five second half goals and his speed, control and reaction skills were key features of an excellent performance.
Afterwards, Ennis and Josh Coll, the Joint Captains, accepted the Féile Na nGael trophy from Westmeath Coiste Na nÓg Chairman, Seamus Browne and the celebrations began.
HALF CHANCES
Raharney made the better start and led when Eamon Cunneen pointed in the fourth minute, but it didn’t take long for St Earnan’s to get into their stride and when Jack Walsh poked home a goal on eight minutes, they were ahead for the first time. It was a lead they would never relinquish.
Michael Olurufemi pointed from a glaring goal chance on 14 minutes to put the champions-elect five points clear (1-3 to 0-1) and when Raharney threatened, full back Brian Herward made a telling clearance. That was the story of the first half: Raharney had half chances that were foiled by determined defending, whereas St Earnan’s got crucial scores from their opportunities, enabling them to open up a commanding lead.
Ennis strong solo run on 26 minutes led to a Josh Coll point and Eoin Quinn fund the net in the final minute. The corner forward then blasted home goal number two in more emphatic style, leaving his side 14 points clear and when Raharney threatened at the other end, Eamon Cunneen and Gavin Flood were both denied.
GOALMOUTH SCRAMBLE
Raharney were determined to get back into this final and when Darragh Core’s long-range free hopped to the net four minutes into the second half, it seemed like they’d made a major breakthrough. Their supporters found their voice and the pressure was on St Earnan’s to respond. Another Core free led to a goalmouth scramble and Rory Keyes got the final touch to send the sliotar to the net, making it 3-5 to 2-2 after five minutes.
Cue the St Earnan’s response: Ennis hit an important point and then took off on a great solo run before finishing impressively to the net. When Jack Walsh’s shot was saved, Ennis pounced to get the final touch and send the ball to the net for his side’s fifth goal. He soon followed up with his third major and suddenly it was 6-6 to 2-2. That unanswered 3-1 proved crucial.
Raharney didn’t give up and Darragh Core’s great point on 45 minutes was one of the game’s highlights, but soon Ennis was beavering again, scrambling home his side’s seventh goal. He also got the final touch when Jack Walsh’s well struck sideline ball landed in the danger area to complete a fairytale second half display.
Raharney had the final say when Cunneen notched a late free, but the day belonged to St Earnan’s and if this group of players can be kept together, there’s surely more success ahead for an area with a proud hurling tradition.
SCORERS – St Earnan’s: D Ennis 5-5, E Quinn 2-0, J Walsh 1-1, J Coll 0-2, M Olurufemi 0-1. Raharney: Darragh Core (1-0f) and R Keyes (0-1f) 1-1 each, E Cunneen 0-2 (1f).
ST EARNAN’S – Jason Quinn; Ross Gaffney, Brian Herward, Liam Carolan; Adam McCormack, Enda Gaffney, Jack O’Dare; Josh Coll, Ciaran Fenlon; Jack Walsh, Dean Ennis, James Connell; Michael Olurufemi, Danny Henry, Eoin Quinn. Subs used: Alex Doherty, Ben McCormack, Peter Fallon, Conor Fenlon, Michael Williams.
RAHARNEY – Jamie Mulkearns; Luke Darby, Sam Davitt, Pierce Weir; Dean Swords, Darragh Core, Colm Murray; Devin Hill, Shane Fleming; david Hickey, Gavin Flood, Andrew Mullen; David Weir, Rory Keyes, Eamon Cunneen. Subs used: Noah Coyne-Tyrrell, Ivan Raleigh.
REFEREE – Richie Heffernan (Turin).
