By John O’Connor

City Division Junior B Hurling League Final – 17th July 2022

Passage 0-18 Glen Rovers 1-11

Our Junior B Hurlers ended a 31 year wait for a trophy this morning in a sun drenched Ballinlough. Having lost 4 finals over the last 3 years the pressure was on to deliver a result and deliver they did. They went toe to toe with a gallant Glen Rovers side and finally got over the line scoring 3 late unanswered points.

Luke Hanlon raised the white flag with a well taken long range free in the first minute. The exchanges were tough in the opening minutes with every ball being contested like everyone’s life depended on it. Liam Power was fouled, and Luke made no mistake from the resulting free. From the puck out Josh Nolan won possession and sent a ball in to Scott Coughlan in the corner. Scott fired the sliotar over the shoulder out by the side line to increase the Passage lead to 3 points.

The Glen registered their first score of the game on the 4th minute with a well taken point from their left half forward. In the early stages the Passage full back line of Josh Shiels, Anto and Andrew O’Mahony were hurling great stuff clearing numerous balls. Linesman Billy O’Regan was thrown into the limelight after awarding a contentious line ball to Passage. From the line ball Conor Coughlan won the ball and was about to pull the trigger when the referee blew for over carrying. The Glen put over a free to narrow the Passage lead to 1 point on 9 minutes.

They took control of the game over the next 5 minutes scoring another 2 points to give them the lead for the first time of the game. Josh Nolan and Liam Power started to turn the screw on the Glen midfield partnership and Passage were soon level again when Conor Coughlan was fouled. Luke made no mistake firing over. Conor Coughlan was unlucky with a goal chance moments later. Both teams exchanged points in the next minute, the Passage point coming from a Luke Hanlon free.

Passage were now on top and points from centre back Kealan O’Flynn and Luke Hanlon gave them a 2-point lead coming up to half time. Somehow the wasn’t more with Luke and Jamie Mc Carthy hitting efforts narrowly wide. Liam Harrington the youngest player on the pitch had a great point disallowed for over carrying a harsh decision in my humble opinion. The Glen scored the last point of the half to leave the half time score Passage 0-7 Glen Rovers 0-6. At the restart with teams went hard at it. Tackles flying in, hooks and blocks and some heroic defending from the Passage backs. The half back line of Aidan Medley, Kealan and Thomas Harrington were hurling well and breaking up a lot of ball. Inside youngster Andrew O’Mahony was contender for man of the match. Josh Nolan from a pass from Alex Murphy and Luke Hanlon scored two points to extend the Passage lead.

The Glen made a few positional changes and were unlucky with a goal chance that was inches wide. The referee had to consult his umpires as it was suggested that the ball had gone through a hole in the netting. The Glen full forward made no mistake with the next chance that was created blasting an unstoppable shot to the back of Gary Tett’s net. The sides were level, and the Glen now raised their game. They quickly scored another point to give them the lead after 10 minutes.

Conor Coughlan quickly drew the team’s level again with a long-range effort. The Passage forwards Alex Murphy, Scott Coughlan and Jamie Mc Carthy were matching the Passage defence for hard work. Team Captain Dan Hanlon came on for Aidan Medley on the 15-minute mark. Medley had put in a great shift hurling himself to a standstill. Jamie Mc Carthy fired over a wonder score to regain the lead for Passage. The Glen quickly responded with two points one of which was a majestic effort over by the embankment side. Their lead could have been more only for another fine save from Gary Tett.

With 10 minutes left on the clock Luke levelled the scores with a long range free. He then scored a 65 and one from play to extend the Passage lead with only a few minutes left on the clock. The Glen responded with a point from their half forward and another from their centre forward to level the game. Luke restored the Passage lead with another well taken free. The referee was now playing injury time and it wasn’t great for the heart. The Glen were awarded a close in free and to the relief of the big Passage crowd watching the Glen forward somehow failed to score.

Passage realised they got out of jail and in the closing two minutes fired over 3 unanswered points. Jamie Mc the hero of the semi-final win against Douglas and Luke Hanlon with two were the scorers. The referee blew his whistle after 8 minutes extra time and Passage and finally ended the famine. Conor Harrington was given the privilege by Dan Hanlon to collect the trophy as he was captain on the previous losing teams in the last few yrs. A great sporting gesture by Dan.

Manager Niall Harrington said he was “Absolutely buzzing after that win. An amazing feeling walking out of Ballinlough with the cup this year instead of our heads hanging. A massive effort again today. Some battle in heat of a league final in Ballinlough but we fought right to the end, each to a man. That victory today was a total squad effort from everyone involved in their whole league campaign. That includes 25 togged out today and fellas that were injured or not able to make it today. We played 7 league games and only lost 2 narrowly. Each one a battle including semi-final against Douglas. Today’s victory was thanks to efforts of the 30 plus players that played over the whole league. Ye all played your part. Well done each and every one of you. Bring on the championship “

Team: Gary Tett, Andrew O’Mahony, Anthony Kidney, Josh Shiels, Aidan Medley, Kealan O’Flynn)0-1), Thomas Harrington, Josh Nolan (0-1), Liam Power, Jamie Mc Carthy (0-2), Alex Murphy, Liam Harrington, Scott Coughlan (0-1), Luke Hanlon ( 0-12), Conor Coughlan (0-1).