Date Published: 20-Apr-2011

Cappataggle 1-19

Kilnadeema/Leitrim 0-13

Darren Kelly

in Ballinasloe

IN the end, age won out. The young Kilnadeema-Leitrim players gave everything they had in the opening 30 minutes but as the game progressed, the experienced heads from Cappataggle took control of this encounter and were crowned under 21 ‘B’ hurling champions last Saturday.

A great exhibition of hurling was witnessed in the Duggan Park, especially in the first half where there were 20 scores, including 14 from play, and the game was still in the melting pot entering the final 12 minutes with the teams tied at 0-13 apiece. But in that time, the under 14 B winners of 2004 secured their victory as Cappataggle scored 1-6 without reply to finish this contest superbly.

Dara Herlihy had levelled the scores for Kilnadeema-Leitrim just beforehand but they would be the only two points for Michael Geraghty’s men in the second half. They are a young side with only five players over-age next year and after coming back into the game before the break, there was just simply nothing left in the tank for the second half.

The Garvey brothers for Cappataggle combined for three points by the 54th minute to lead 0-16 to 0-13 as James, Ronan and Eanna all found the target. James’ was a decent effort from midway out the field while Joe Claffey was the provider for Ronan’s strike.

And two minutes later, James and Ronan would be involved in the game’s defining score as Emmet Malone’s pass found Ronan Garvey who was unmarked and he batted the ball past Paul Howard for a six point cushion and the title effectively secured.

Eanna Garvey added another to push the margin to seven while Alan Dolan added to the scoring to ensure that there was no way back for Kilnadeema-Leitrim as Noel Finn’s team took their first ever under 21 ‘B’ title to add to their 1996 ‘C’ victory.

The first-half was played at a quick pace and supporters had little time to catch breath. Malone opened for Cappataggle in the second minute before Herlihy equalised from a placed ball three minutes later. Dolan was on the end of a Thomas Broderick free to put Cappataggle back in front. but another Herlihy placed ball restored parity.

Two points each after the opening 10 minutes, the middle third of the half belong to Cappataggle as they went 0-7 to 0-4 ahead. Dolan and Mark Loughnane opened up a two point cushion before Garry Curley responded for Kilnadeema-Leitrim.

But then Dolan sent over two more scores to give his side a 0-6 to 0-3 advantage. It could have been more for the red and black as Conor Loughnane’s delivery found Ronan Garvey and the full forward forced a superb save from Paul Howard. Gary Winters did pull back a point for Kilnadeema-Leitrim but an Eanna Garvey effort in the 18th minute restored Cappataggle’s three point advantage.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.