Silver Hill Foods Senior Hurling Championship Final
Castleblayney 1-17 Inniskeen 0-15 6/8/17
Castleblayney regained the SHC title when they dethroned Inniskeen in a keenly-contested final at Clontibret on Sunday. A dominant second quarter made all the difference as Blayney claimed the Mick Quigley Cup once again; their 13th county championship since 2000. Inniskeen had taken command at that stage of last year’s decider against Monaghan Harps, but this time, a blitz of 1-5 without reply turned the game in Blayney’s favour, with Steven Forde scoring the only goal on 17 minutes, to help his side open up a 1-10 to 0-6 lead.
Inniskeen launched a determined defence of their title in a sometimes fiery second half, with Dónal Meegan to the fore and Ronan Meegan hitting double figures, but Blayney had too much strength around the pitch. Hugh Byrne landed eight frees for the winners, while Mark Treanor, Brian McGuigan and Man of the Match Fergal Rafter made valuable contributions.
Castleblayney: P Collins; J Deasy, J McHugh (Capt.), E Leonard; P Finnegan, P Treanor, B Connor; M Treanor (0-2), D Crowe (0-1); H Byrne (0-8f), B Flanagan, S Forde (1-0); F Rafter (0-3), F Finnegan, B McGuigan (0-3).
Subs: N Adair for F Finnegan (36 mins), S Lambe for Forde (59), P Malone for Rafter (60 + 1).
Inniskeen: G Ruddy; C Meegan, P Dowdall, P Garland; P Deery, M Murphy (Capt.), PJ Boyle (0-1); D Meegan (0-2, 1f), TJ Byrne; R Meegan (0-11, 8f, 1 ’65), N Butler (0-1), P McGahon; T Meegan, D McGahon, T Hilliard.
Subs: P Brooks for T Meegan (H-T), C Faul for P McGahon (42).
Referee: J McAndrew (Monaghan Harps HC).
By cshalvey Sun 6th Aug
