Heroic Easkey undone in controversial All-Ireland final defeat
Conor Hogan of Kilbrittain in action against Oisín Moylan of Easkey during the All-Ireland Club JHC Final in Croke Park. Picture: INPHO/James Lawlor
Easkey’s wait for an All-Ireland title goes on as they narrowly fell to Munster champions Kilbrittain in a controversial All-Ireland Club JHC Final in Croke Park.
The Sligo men were outstanding in the first half, registering only two wides. Five of their six starting forwards were on the scoresheet, with Eanna Moylan and Thomas Cawley giving them a quick start inside the opening minute before Kilbrittain went in front with three on the spin.
A big goal chance fell Kilbrittain’s way on seven minutes, but Easkey goalkeeper Adam Rolston saved Conor Hogan’s shot.
The west men responded with five points in a row, three coming from Andrew Kilcullen. Kilbrittain’s Mark Hickey got the first of his haul shortly but another Kilcullen free and a second Thomas Cawley point put them 0-10 to 0-5 ahead on 21 minutes.
But for all their hard work, Easkey would only lead by one at the break. Kilcullen’s fifth point of the half on 25 minutes was their last point of the half, and another Kilbrittain goal chance for Conor Hoban, going over the bar under huge Easkey pressure. Still, Mark Hickey scored four of Kilbrittain’s next five points to leave it 0-11 to 0-10 in Easkey’s favour.
The game was tied a 0-12 apiece when Easkey were reduced to 14 men when Andrew Kilcullen was deemed to have committed a high challenge on Mark Hickey, although replays suggested there was little contact.
Despite this, Easkey were not to be moved and nudged back in front on 47 minutes with three points on the spin.
The wide count was beginning to rise for the Sligo and Connacht champions in the final quarter, but the game was all tied up and 0-18 apiece thanks to Oisin Moylan and two excellent scores from Thomas Cawley.
Efforts to manufacture a winning score were in vain, and Kilbrittain were given a chance to win in it added time when Fionn Connolly fouled a Kilbrittain attacker inside his own. Connolly, who was already on a yellow, picked up a second and was dismissed, as Mark Hickey fired over the winning to cruelly deny Easkey.
*See Tuesday’s Western People for full coverage
