Mountrath crowned champions after dominant win over Clough

St Fintan’s Mountrath 8-15 

Clough NS 5-6 

ST Fintan’s Mountrath claimed the Division 3 Hurling Shield title after a powerful performance saw them overcome Clough NS in convincing fashion.

Jamie Rice, Jay Sydes and Alex Rice were central to the victory as Mountrath produced an impressive attacking display throughout the contest. Clough started brightly and edged ahead early on thanks to the excellent Conor McEvoy, but Mountrath quickly found their rhythm and took over.

A devastating ten-minute spell saw them rack up eight unanswered points to firmly seize control of the game. Jay Sydes accounted for four of those scores from a variety of angles, while Jamie Rice contributed three and Conor Russell also added his name to the scoresheet.

Mountrath then produced one of the highlights of the match with a superbly worked team goal that travelled the length of the pitch before Alex Rice finished to the net. Rice struck again soon after, this time collecting a high delivery from Jamie Rice before firing home his second goal.

Jamie Rice also found the net as Mountrath threatened to run away with the contest, but Clough responded well before the break to stay within touching distance. Conor McEvoy pointed from long range and then added two goals to cut the deficit, leaving the score at 3-9 to 2-2 at half time.

McEvoy continued his strong form after the restart by converting a long-range free, while Jamie Rice replied at the other end. Another excellent point from distance by McEvoy briefly gave Clough hope, but Mountrath quickly reasserted control.

Alex Rice completed an excellent hat-trick with two more goals as the champions pulled clear once again. Clough kept battling throughout and added further scores through McEvoy, along with an excellent goal from Oisin Boyhan.

However, Mountrath’s attacking strength continued to shine, with Jay Sydes, Hubert Lewandowski and Jamie Rice all raising green flags before the finish to cap off a comprehensive victory.

SCORERS:

Mountrath: Jamie Rice 2-7, Jay Sydes 2-5, Alex Rice 3-1, Hubert Lewandowski 1-0, Harry Dooley and Conor Russell 0-1 each.

Clough: Conor McEvoy 4-6, Oisin Boyhan 1-0.

ST FINTAN’S MOUNTRATH: Sebastian Olejnik; Joshua Fitzpatrick, Harry Dooley, Christian Burke, Conor Russell, Alex Rice, Peyton Mooney, Jack Coughlan, Hubert Lewandowski, Rory Marum, Rory Burke, Bill Kirwan, Charlie Bergin, Daniel Francis, Travis Morrissey.

CLOUGH NS: Peter Darby; Ben Hyland, Conor McEvoy, Oisín Boyhan, Darragh Baldwin, Aaron Geoghegan, Conor Bergin, Cillian Lawless, Sonny Punchihewage, Tomás Ferns, Tom O’Shea, Josh Quigley, Killian Dunne, Eoin O’Shea, Finn Ryan.