Easkey hang tough to complete four-in-a-row

AIB Connacht Club JHC Final 

Easkey 2-17 

Ballinasloe 2-15 

Gavin Cawley at Connacht CoE, Bekan 

Easkey made it four Connacht junior hurling titles in-a-row as they just about did enough to get the better of old rivals Ballinasloe on Saturday afternoon.

This was third final between the sides, with Easkey winning the previous two in 2023 and ’24. However, with the Sligo side without four players from those previous campaigns, namely Gavin Connolly, Jimmy Gordon, Mikey Gordon and Joe McHugh, Ballinasloe will have seen this has an excellent opportunity to finally get over the line.

“We’re bringing in a lad or two every year and it’s reaping dividends,” admitted Rory McHugh, Easkey’s centre-back who was named man-of-the match.

“It’s been a tough two months of training. We were trying to get in a few good challenge games because we knew what Ballinasloe were going to be like. We’d seen the last two years, the games were brought to the last puck, so we’re delighted to get the win.

“I think they went three points ahead but we never really worried, especially in hurling, one puck of the game changes it,” added McHugh who struck a pair of crucial second-half points from distance.

Ballinasloe had began the game confidently, with Cathal O’Hanlon opening the scoring inside the first minute of play.

Easkey seemed nervous early on as they hit three quick wides, including two from usually reliable Andrew Kilcullen. The sides were level for the first time on six minutes as Thomas Cawley pointed after a fine pass from Rory McHugh.

The sides would exchange points to remain level before Easkey took the lead for the first time on nine minutes, as Kilcullen picked out Donall Hanley who pointed for the Sea Blues.

Easkey were penalised for throwing the ball and the resulting free was pointed by O’Hanlon who levelled matters for a third time, however, four points on the spin in a seven minute window had the West Sligo side 0-7 to 0-4 in front after 19 minutes, with one very stylish score coming from Cormac Vereker during this period.

Easkey would also net the opening goal of the match on 20 minutes as a ball sent in by Thomas Cawley was hit towards Andrew Kilcullen and while he didn’t win it first time, the turned his Ballinasloe marker over and passed to Daniel Rolston who finished to the corner of the net.

The Galway men responded well to that set-back, scoring five points without reply with Jason Cunningham, Alan Caufield and Evan Hayes all on target, which reduced the deficit to a single point.

Easkey looked like they had weathered the storm when Kilcullen converted two frees to keep the lead at three points, 1-9 to 0-9, but Ballinasloe had the final say of the half when finding the back of the net through Cathal O’Hanlon who somehow squeezed home the sliotar to ensure the sides were level at the interval.

Easkey introduced Finnian Cawley at half-time but it was Ballinasloe who started the half brightest as a free from O’Hanlon and a point from Cian Connolly gave them the initiative. Easkey looked like they struggling until a piece of magic from Rory McHugh saw him dance by three Ballinasloe players and pass to Finnian Cawley who fired to the back of the net to regain Easkey the lead.

The substitute added a point soon after and while O’Hanlon kept his side in touch with a free on 42 minutes, cutting the gap to single point, three on the spin by the defending champions – the last coming from long-range by the impressive McHugh – left Easkey in a strong position with twelve minutes to play.

Ballinasloe twice got to within three points of Easkey before Padraig Mannion’s team took an even firmer control by landing three more points, again with man-of-the-match Rory McHugh on target.

They were still make to work hard for the victory by the gallant Balinasloe boys however, as a goal and point from the Galway outfit in stoppage time narrowed the margin, with the goal coming from a 62nd minute penalty converted by O’Hanlon.

Ballinasloe had one last chance to plunder a match-winning goal but the effort from O’Hanlon, which he tried to drop into the square, tailed wide instead and Easkey hung tight to secure their fourth provincial title on the trot.

Easkey have a semi-final against either the Ulster or London champions to prepare for now, just as they did when reaching the All-Ireland junior final three years ago.

“It’s what we’ve been working for the last three or four years. We feel like it’s there for us,” said Rory McHugh.

“We’ve had a few tough games in the last two years between Kilkenny and Cork but we don’t feel we’re that far off, if we can just get a good run. It’s more so our belief that’s holding us back I think.” 

Scorers – Easkey: Andrew Kilcullen 0-6 (5f, 1 ‘65), Finnian Cawley 1-1, Daniel Rolston 1-0, Rory McHugh, Thomas Cawley and Donall Hanley 0-2 each, Cormac Vereker, Oisin Moylan, Fionn Connolly and Eanna Moylan 0-1 each.

Ballinasloe: Cathal O’Hanlon 2-10 (0-9, 1 ’65), Cian Connolly 0-2, Jason Cunningham, Evan Hayes and Alan Caulfield 0-1 each.

Easkey: Adam Rolston; Oisin Moylan, James Weir, Shane Molloy; Donall Hanley, Rory McHugh, Eoghan Rua McGowan; Ronan Molloy, Niall Kilcullen; Daniel Rolston, Fionn Moylan, Thomas Cawley; Cormac Vereker, Andrew Kilcullen, Fionn Connolly. Subs: Finnian Cawley (for Vereker ht), Eanna Moylan (for F Moylan 39), Patrick Walsh (for T Cawley 61).

Ballinasloe: Cormac Casey; Jack Mitchell, Conor Coleman, Eoin Coleman; Adam Potter, Craig Potter, Danny Byrne; Jason Cunningham, Niall Jennings; Evan Hayes, Aodan Connaughton, Alan Reynolds; Alan Caulfield, Cathal O’Hanlon, Cian Connolly. Subs: Odhran Sheanon (for Byrne 39), Patrick Sheehan (for Connaughton 59).

REF: James Judge (Mayo)