Robesiders Knocked down by Devine display
Knock NS who defeated St Joseph's Ballinrobe NS in the Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Division 2 County Hurling Final. Pictures: Michael Donnelly
East Mayo had produced many a fine hurler and the boys and girls from Knock NS have a very bright future after a stunning display ton win the Division 2 title in MacHale Park last Monday.
St Joseph’s NS, who were appearing in their first Division 2 hurling final, battled until the end and many of their side have a bright future in the game, but they came up against a superior side on the day.
Cillian Devine, whose tally of 1-5 all came from frees, got the first of his placed balls to get Knock up and running followed quickly by a Connor Leech. It was a challenge for Ballinrobe to get any possession for a sustained period and their only score of the half arrived on five minutes through Jamie O’Toole.
From there, Knock took control, and they netted their first major of the contest when Cillian Devine’s free from distance sailed over everyone and into the net. Devine had another goal chance seconds later from a free, but his powerful effort fizzed just wide of the post.
There was no stopping Knock’s scorer-in-chief Devine as he sent over his next two frees over the bar before Connor Leech scored Knock’s second goal of the half. Knock remained hungry for scores and two singles from Connor Leech put the east Mayo school 2-6 to 0-1 up at half-time.
The scores dried up a bit the second half as the heavy rain made life difficult for both sides. After Devine’s fourth free, Cathal Horan got Ballinrobe’s second score of the afternoon. It would ultimately be their last as as Callum Waldron struck 1-1 from play before Devine ended the game as he started with another pinpoint free as Knock NS powered to a county title.
Scorers - Knock NS: Cillian Devine 1-5f, Callum Waldron 1-3, Connor Leech 1-1.
St Joseph’s NS Ballinrobe: Jamie O’Toole and Cathal Horan (f) 0-1 each.
Knock NS: John Campbell, Sean Horan, Michael Shiffnecht, Jamie Burke, Cillian Devine, Killian Connor, Callum Waldron, Connor Leech, Rian Casby, Ollie Connor, Harry Cullinane, Maja Latvatyte, Devdet Nair, Gustavo Contin Neves, Ernestas Gudas, Gerard Lyons, Aine Cunnane, Francesca Barbieri, Damilade Kumuyi, Oliveris Lape, Ollie Sakalaukas, TJ Tsabedze, Martin Pio Mongan, Tiago Contin Neves.
St Joseph’s NS Ballinrobe: Dara Yates, Patrick Duffy, Petko Yanev, Joe Tiernan, Dara Rochford, Cathal Horan, Demians Kvitkovs, Jamie O’Toole, Marcel Lobocki, Shane Gavin, Matthew O’Toole, Seán Staunton, Sean Heaney, Shay Tierney, Felim O’Connor, Patrick Heneghan, Billy Wilson, Will Gavin, Dylan Murphy, Elliot Lavin, Matthew Tierney, Alan Nowaki, Dominykas Filipovas.
REF: Mel Kenny
