Murphy delivers scoring masterclass as Rangers take U20 title
The Mount Leinster Rangers U20 team celebrate their win
Opportunist goals, one in each half, were the difference as Mount Leinster Rangers overcame a stern Carlow Town challenge in this under 20 A hurling championship final at Netwatch Cullen Park on Saturday.
Only when spectators came down on the field at the end would the realisation have dawned how cold and windy it really was. Yet the players produced a super contest.
With the strong wind behind them and playing into the O’Hanrahan end of the ground, the eventual winners laid the platform for eventual victory. Brothers Donagh Murphy with four points (65 and two frees) and one from Ruairi pushed Rangers clear before Carlow Town got off the mark with an Alex Delaney free.
Carlow Town were caught napping when only putting three defenders on the line with their goalkeeper. Donagh Murphy spotted the weakness. His shot flew low and hard to the back of the net.
The Oak Park side battled hard and were rewarded when a dropping ball was doubled on by Kyle Nolan. This time the Rangers net collected the sliotar. John Phiri secured the last point of the half to leave Carlow Town only trailing 1-10 to 1-4. With the strong wind, they were closer than the six-point margin suggested.
Yet, Rangers were first to raise a flag in the second half when Donagh Murphy converted a free. Carlow Town showed resolve and purpose for the next 15 minutes. Delaney converted a range of frees while Nolan was also on the mark from play. The problem for them was that every time they looked as if they were set to surge forward, Rangers hit them with the odd point or two.
The Borris side clinched victory at the start of the final quarter when a high ball wasn’t dealt with and Jamie Nolan eventually fired home. It was hardly a thing of beauty but it was well taken and all but ensured the under 20 title was heading to the South Carlow club.
That trend of one for you and one for me continued to the end with Delaney enhancing his reputation as a sweet striker with an eye for the goal while Kyle Nolan ended up with 1-4 for Carlow Town. Yet it was never good enough with Ruairi Murphy proving to be a danger every time he got the ball and, into the bargain, ended up with four points from play. He wasn’t the only one. This was a team effort by the winners who deserved their success.
D Murphy 1-10 (65, 1-6fs), J Nolan 1-2, R Murphy 0-4, J Dalton 0-2.
A Delaney 0-11 (10fs), K Nolan 1-4 (1f) J Phiri 0-1
Eoin Coleman; Ed Fenlon, Mark Dundon, James O’Neill; Jack Griffith, Conaill Fitzpatrick, Joey Dalton; Tim Brennan, Luke Kavanagh; Brad Bolger, Donagh Murphy, Jack Cummins; Ruairi Murphy, Jamie Nolan, Jack Foley. Subs: Kyle Nolan for Foley (blood 37), Foley for Kavanagh (41), Eoin Doyle for Griffith (58), Tomas Joyce for O’Neill (59).
Cian Campion; Brandon Cassidy, Eoin Townsend, Aaron Power; Ross Moran, Sean Buggy, James Ingram; Alex Delaney, Dylan McGrath; Shane McCarthy, Kyle Nolan, Jay Barcoe; Tom Behan, John Phiri, Brandon Farrell. Subs: Aaron Walsh Myers for Power (h/t), Dan Brennan for Townsend (56), Cialan Brady for Behan (57), Adam Seger for Barcoe (58), Conor Buggy for Farrell (58).
Jonathan Murphy (St Mullins).
