Another close tussle it proved to be.
2024 Junior Hurling Shield Final Replay
Naomh Bríd 1-12
Carlow Town 1-9
” And still…….” In boxing terms when the belt title holder ( in this case shield!) hear these immortal words at the final bell it’s manna from heaven. Naomh Brid getting the ” points decision” here to retain the Junior Hurling Shield for 2024.
Level 3 times in both halves , the hosts Carlow Town just edged out ( #in an excellently presented Oakpark Road venue) , the midweek replay enabling that attendance at upcoming nuptials and events at a big field in Stradbally over the coming weekend can be attended guilt free!
We were 5 minutes in before we had need for pen and paper, the Mark’s, Fitzgerald ( free ) and Reade swapping points before the lively pair of Jason Kenny and Dylan McGrath had the hosts 2 to the good by the 9th minute.
A reshuffle in the Naomh Brid defence ensued soon stemming the flow of scores, Alan Brennan and Charlie Nolan had sides level by the end of the first quarter with the visitors a bit like the drawn encounter guilty of wayward shooting , the mightily impressive Mark Fitzgerald from a free was soon followed by Brian Delaney’s first of the evening from a 65 , level again, before McGrath’s second on 22 minutes had to wait a full 7 minutes for another equaliser. This time another Fitzgerald free for a foul on Liam Brennan who was having a battle royale with Mick Shannon , 0-5 to 0-5 at the break .
With another placed ball from Fitzgerald inching his side ahead almost straight from the throw in, it wasn’t long til Eoghan Townsend – now pushing further forward – struck parity yet again. Step forward the pin up boys from the drawn game, Delaney first and then Brennan (Alan’s to borrow Timmy McCarthy’s lingo) from “downtown” , 0-7 each on the 34th minute, the dogs on the street now knowing this was going to go down to the wire.
A beauty from Martin Mullins had Naomh Brid’s nose in front in the 35th minute, that nose was soon put out of joint though, Brandon Cassidy’s marauding run saw him strike the nights first ‘major’ , complimented by after by Townsend’s 2nd point , one of the scores of the game , 1-8 to 0-8 , daylight at last in minute 37.
In the drawn encounter Eanna Holland was moved to full forward at the beginning of the second half with an immediate effect of 1-1 , roll on 4 days later and though this time it took a bit longer remarkably he had the same impact, his rising shot levelling matters, his point providing a lead Naomh Brid held to the end and another Brennan free putting 2 in it with still 20 minutes left to go, 1-10 to 1-8.
Another Cassidy run following an advantage saw him point to get us back to the minimum in the 44th minute , the next 10 odd minutes mightn’t have had scores but the sheer honesty of trying to get your team over the line whether you were a first year minor, a former Senior for club or county or a year in year out junior was every bit as engaging.
Holland had it out to 1-11 to 1-9 in the 57th minute with another fine score , a dangerous lead they say , Naomh Brid’s defence now winning most of the 50/50s , usually a sign of eventual victors but not always .
Back to that dangerous lead , come the 60th minute a contentious decision for time wasting resulting in a throw in on the Naomh Brid D , the ball breaking free and Carlow Town coming within a lick of paint of getting probably a winning goal , fine margins indeed.
Holland eased the Naomh Brid blood pressure levels with the games last score, 1-12 to 1-9 the final score, captain Caoimhin Ryan gratefully accepting the Shield from Carlow GAA Chairman Jim Bolger on behalf of Naomh Brid.
Naomh Brid – Eoin Bambrick, Daniel Roche, Timmy Clarke, Brian O’ Dwyer, Caoimhin Ryan (captain) , Garry Dunne, Jack Dunne, Mark Fitzgerald (0-4f ), Eanna Holland (1-3) Martin Mullins( 0-1), Alan Brennan (0-3) 0-2f, Charlie Nolan (0-1), Alfie Barcoe, Liam Brennan, Dermot Lawless.
Subs – Shane Maher
Carlow Town – Adam Maher, Andy Murphy, Michael Shannon, Stephen Gleeson, Lee Carpenter, Eoghan Townsend (0-2)John Paul Lee, Brian Delaney 0-2 ( 0-1f, 0-1 65) Brandon Cassidy (1-1) Dylan McGrath (0-2) ,Shaun McMahon, Jason Kenny (0-1), Paul Gray, John Cleary( captain) , Mark Reade (0-1)
Subs – Cian Clancy, Ian Kenneally, Adam Doyle, Brian Cawley
Referee – Martin Murphy
