.
Na Gaeil captain Eoin Doody lifts the cup.
IT’LL be some night in Killeen later on!
Na Gaeil are All-Ireland Junior Club Champions after the Oakpark club beat Rathgarogue-Cushinstown by 3-20 to 1-5 to make it the greatest day in their short history.
It was an easy win in the end after a tight first 25 minutes, when there was little between the teams on the scoreboard as Na Gaeil led by 0-6 to 04.
But on 26 minutes, Ian McCarthy capitalised on a mistake from the Wexford men’s kickout to score a goal and put daylight between the sides.
Continued below…
.
Ian McCarthy’s fine point from 30 yards saw them six points clear and when Ryan O’Neill punched over another deep into injury time they were cruising.
However, the Wexford side were thrown a lifeline with a penalty at the very end of the half and goalkeeper Nicky Sinnott hit it hard and low to the corner to leave the scores 1-8 to 1-4 at halftime.
Within five minutes of the restart, Na Gaeil had three points on the board from Michael Griffin, Diarmuid Herlihy and Ian McCarthy, before the killer blow on 36 minutes when McCarthy goaled again, after collecting the rebound from a shot by Diarmuid Herlihy which hit the bar.
Two quick points within a minute later put Na Gaeil 12 points up to really knock the stuffing out of Rathgarogue-Cushinstown — the score 2-13 to 1-4.
Diarmuid Herlihy had a brace of beautifully taken scores on the 39th and 41st minutes while Jack Barry got in on the action with a score on 42 minutes.
Na Gaeil didn’t score again until the 53th minute when Dara Devine pointed a free. Darragh Reen, Damien B0urke and veteran Paul Daly completed the point scoring and it was fitting that man of the match Ian McCarthy got the last score for his hat-trick and a 3-20 to 1-5 final score.
There were great celebrations in Croke Park when captain, Eoin Doody, lifted the cup and no doubt they will carry on later at the clubhouse in Killeen when the team and supporters get back to Tralee. Well done to all in the club on a fantastic victory!
