Meelick Eyrecourt 1-16

Kinvara 0-16

WHILE every county championship success in recent weeks was celebrated with its own gusto and style, the curtain came down on the domestic club hurling year last Sunday with probably the sweetest of them all as Meelick-Eyrecourt were finally crowned intermediate champions.

After so many near misses, and five final defeats in the last 28 years, the club that represented Galway in their first All-Ireland club final in 1887 finally reached the winners’ enclosure and got their hands on the Mick Sylver Cup.

Jarlath McEvoy’s goal proved critical but it was the way Niall Lynch’s team didn’t blink in the closing stretch, outscoring their opponents 0-6 to 0-2 in the final 10 minutes that ensured the blue flares filled up the evening sky in Athenry.

One must spare a thought for Kinvara, who also played their part in an excellent contest. Mike Helebert’s team led 0-14 to 1-10 with the finish line in sight but ultimately suffered a second successive final defeat.

In the most competitive of intermediate championships, both these teams reached the final undefeated with five wins and a draw each, but came to light up the dull sky surround Kenny Park on the first Sunday in November.

Meelick-Eyrecourt started quickest, taking an early two-point lead. Niall Fleming set up McEvoy for the opening score, before taking his brother Tommy’s assist for a second on five minutes.

The boys in blue settled quickest and were seeking gaps in the opposing full back line. Kinvara were guilty of five first half wides but produced quality moments to ensure this contest was all square on eight occasions.

Darragh Helebert took a direct ball from Cathal Corless’ puck out for their opening score. And the former doubled his tally, thanks to Tadhg Heavey, on nine minutes.

Kinvara’s goalkeeper made three vital stops in the first half, blocking Nathan Earner on eight minutes before other saves from McEvoy and James Lyons.

Earner’s first free restored Meelick-Eyrecourt’s lead but the scoring was tit-for-tat by the 19th minute. The talisman added two more placed balls but Kinvara responded on three occasions.

Darragh Helebert pointed a free before Galway captain Conor Whelan split the posts from the right.  The 2017 All-Ireland winner then turned provider for Aodhan O’Hanrahan’s first white flag.

Lyons forced another block from Kinvara’s defence, while a Whelan effort was cleared by keeper Enda Lawless.  A breakthrough was inevitable and it arrived on 21 minutes.

Tommy and Niall Fleming were the instigators and McEvoy eventually received possession. He teased a shot before turning inside, striking low underneath Corless for Meelick-Eyrecourt’s goal.

Pictured: Kinvara defender Dara Burke comes under pressure from Jarlath McEvoy of Meelick-Eyrecourt during Sunday’s County Intermediate Hurling Final at Kenny Park. Photo: David Cunniffe.