Quinlan masterclass fires Borris/Kilcotton to shield glory

U/15 ‘A’ Hurling Championship Shield Final 

Borris/Kilcotton 0-17 

The Harps 2-8 

THE Harps and Borris/Kilcotton gathered in the LOETB Centre of Excellence to battle it out for the U/15 ‘A’ Championship Shield. Ross Quinlan was the man to watch as he pointed 13 points for his side aiding their victory over The Harps.

The winning side had been cruising in the contest as they led by seven points, but things would change come the 52nd minute as The Harps kicked into gear and cut the gap to just two points with three minutes of normal time left.

Borris/Kilcotton got off to a flying start as they converted three scores inside the opening six minutes. Ross Quinlan opened the scoring from play and struck two frees minutes later.

A John Gilbert shot dropped short onto the hurl of Sean Farrell, Quinlan was there for the rebound but drove it wide. A third free from Quinlan came in the 15th minute. The Harps first score of the contest came two minutes later as Sean Dempsey split the posts.

Another Quinlan free was followed by The Harps finding rhythm and converting 1-1. Harry Donoghue raised a white flag from play while Oliver Delaney buried the ball to the back of the net from a rook.

Borris/Kilcotton responded well and scored four points on the trot, two from Padraig Fahy, one from Gilbert and Quinlan pointed his fifth free. A free from Jamie Mahony wrapped up the second half with Borris/Kilcotton ahead by four, (0-10 to 1-3).

Matthew Bowe opened the second half with a point from play. Borris/Kilcotton’s main man, Ross Quinlan replied with three points within five minutes with two of these coming from a placed ball. Quinlan scored two further points, one from a free with a Jamie Mahony point sandwiched between.

Delaney and Daire Moore traded scores before The Harps put 1-2 past the Borris/Kilcotton defence bringing the deficit back to two with five minutes to play. The two points came courtesy of Sean Dempsey, one from a 65’ after a Mahony shot for goal was deflected wide Mahony came battling once more trying to find the goal his side needed, his effort was once again saved by William Bergin, but MJ Muldowney was there to put the rebound away.

The ball went end to end for the remainder of the game and a foul on Quinlan allowed him point to reach double digits for his points from placed balls. Borris/Kilcotton were deserving winners by a three-point margin in the end as they put on a fine display of hurling throughout.

SCORERS:

Borris/Kilcotton: Ross Quinlan 0-13 (0-10), Padraig Fahy 0-2, and Daire Moore and John Gilbert 0-1 each.

The Harps: Oliver Delaney 1-1, MJ Muldowney 1-0, Sean Dempsey 0-3 (0-1 65), Jamie Mahony 0-2 (0-1f), Harry Donoghue and Matthew Bowe 0-1 each.

BORRIS/KILCOTTON: William Bergin; Brendan Duma, Oliver Fitzpatrick, Noah Kelly; Stefan Hangonyi, Darragh Keeshan, Thomas Costigan; Padraig Fahy, Conor Hickey; Ross Quinlan, Jack Fahy, John Gilbert; Patrick Gilbert, Daire Moore, Oisin O’Donnell.

Subs: Jake Cuddy for Patrick Gilbert (50m).

THE HARPS: Sean Farrell; Paddy Cleary, Evan Stanley, Fionn O’Sullivan; Ross Grady, Danny Campion, Sean Mockler; Harry Donoghue, Jamie Mahony; Matthew Bowe, Shane Ruane, Oliver Delaney; Sean Dempsey, Jack Delahunty, William Muldowney.

Subs: Cillian Murphy for Mockler (20m), Jack Kelly for Delahunty (35m), Sean Mockler for Muldowney (47m), MJ Muldowney for Bowe (52m).

Referee: Paul Dunne (Ballyfin)