Impressive Birr snatch dramatic win with last minute goal

A TRULY remarkable game and even better finish as Birr were the better team overall on Saturday afternoon as they were 4-9 to 2-12 winners over KK, with special thanks to huge performances from the likes of Campbell Naughton, Eddie Carthy and Ryan Lagace. Kilcormac/Killoughey battled fierce well and despite Aaron Screeney shining with a personal tally of 1-10, it wasn’t enough in the end.

EJ Access Solutions U-15 Hurling Championship final

Birr 4-9

Kilcormac-Killoughey 2-12

Kilcormac/Killoughey got the game's opening score through Darragh Gorman, with Aaron Screeney opening his account with a close range free after four minutes, before then getting his first from play to give KK a dream start early on. The next few minutes saw it become almost like tennis with the ball going back and forth constantly, before Birr finally exploded into life as Campbell Naughton broke through the KK defence and happened to find Eddie Carthy in acres of space and found the top corner to bring Birr level after 10 minutes, before the same two players combined once again only with Naughton this time the scorer as Birr led in the contest for the first time. 

Birr began to get on top after their goal, but KK stayed plucking away as Aaron Maher got their first score in 11 minutes to level proceedings. Screeney then won and scored a free from out near the sideline and 40 yards out to give KK back the advantage, with Birr not fully taking the chances presented to them and whilst playing a slight advantage in the wind. Birr gained the lead back through an Eddie Carthy free before a great score from Ryan Lagace left them 1-3 to 0-5 up with five left to play in the first half. They further extended their lead a few minutes later through Michael Kelly and a free from Carthy, with Screeney a free just before the interval, as Birr were fully worth their lead heading into the half time break, with plenty still to play for from both sides. 

Half Time Birr 1-5 - 0-6 Kilcormac/Killoughey.

A fast start to the second half saw Tom Enright open scoring for Birr, before two scores in a row from Screeney saw KK drag it back to just a single point. Birr’s defence was holding firm and strong and were leaving KK stumped as they aimed for a goal to force their way into the lead, but they did manage to draw the game level through a free from Screeney and the game was firmly in the balance. 

Kilcormac/Killoughey needed a bit of luck to go their way in terms of striking a goal and that came in the form of Aaron Screeney’s attempt from out near the sideline on the 21 yard line, with the ball falling out of the hand of the unfortunate Thomas Murray as KK regained the lead for the first time since the 10th minute. However, that lead only lasted four minutes as Campbell Naughton once again raced through to bat his close range effort into the back of the net to bring Birr level once again and with it to come an exciting conclusion. 

Aaron Screeney was on fire and found enough time and space to send over another point for the double K’s before Birr rapidly responded with a brace through Eddie Carthy and Tom Enright to regain the lead once again with just under 15 minutes left to play. A terrific effort from Ryan Lagace then left Birr two in front, with his effort curling just over the bar from just outside the 40 yard line. A two minute spell of three scores in favour of Birr had them in control, until some incredible individual work from Darragh Gorman as he had four Birr lads chasing him opening up space for the centre forward to get a low hard shot which trickled past Murray in goals and leave KK in front by one. Before the final incredibly, Birr had another goal as a goalmouth scramble resulted in Campbell finding the net, before Aaron Screeney pointed back to back frees to bring the sides level, in a real end to end game.

 Just when the game looked poised for extra time, Birr struck gold as Campbell Naughon went on a run and found himself bearing down on goal before tapping the ball home to send the Birr faithful into delirium and thus securing the U15 A title for 2024 in what was a superb game of hurling. 

Full Time Birr 4-9 - 2-12 Kilcormac/Killoughey.

MATCH ANALYSIS

MAN OF THE MATCH

Campbell Naughton (Birr): Aaron Screeney and Darragh Gorman were excellent for KK as was Fiachra Carroll at centre back. Ryan Lagace came up with some exceptional scores, while Tom Enright had a hugely positive impact alongside Eddie Carthy. 

Campbell Naughton was the heartbeat of the Birr team, he carried the team, setting up scores and crucially, getting the winning goal just after the clock hit 60 minutes. He’s certainly one for the future. 

THE SCORERS

KILCORMAC/KILLOUGHEY: Aaron Screeney 1-10 (7frees); Darragh Gorman 1-1; Aaron Maher 0-1.

BIRR: Campbell Naughton 3-1; Darragh Carty 1-3 (2frees); Ryan Lagace and Tom Enright 0-2 each, Michael Kelly 0-1.

THE TEAMS

Kilcormac/Killoughey: Aaron Grimes McDermott; Rogan Stirrat; Niall Fitzgerald; Luke Maher; AJ Bracken; Fiachra Carroll; Liam Kilmartin; Harry McQuaid; Lochlann Fletcher; Luke Gill; Darragh Gorman; Charlie O’Donoghue; Aaron Maher; James McLoughlin; Aaron Screeney. Subs– Danny Rigney for O’Donoghue (HT); Cody Kenny for Gill (44m) .

Birr: Thomas Murray; Jack Carroll; Barry Bennett; Darragh Franks; Shane Milne; Darragh Carty; Eddie Carthy; Michael Kelly; Oscar Boyd; Isaac Mullarkey; Peter Spain; Tom Enright; Campbell Naughton; Robert Landy; Ryan Lagace . Subs- Darragh Hand for Carroll (51m)  . 

Referee – Adam Kinahan (Clodiagh Gaels).

REFEREE WATCH

Adam Kinahan refereed the A final this afternoon and did a standard good job, allowing the game to flow as best he could and not having a major impact on how the finale came about. 

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Without question Campbell Naughton’s last minute goal was the moment of the game, as the game looked poised to go an extra 20 minutes until the young corner forward stepped up when most needed to seal a huge victory for the Birr men and bring to an end what was a fantastic game. 

VENUE WATCH

St Brendan’s Park hosted the encounter and had plenty of stewards on stand by and there was an issue with crowds or anything, the pitch looking good with the recent weather we've had. 

STATISTICS

Wides: Kilcormac/Killoughey –6  (0  in first half,  6 in 2nd half); Birr – 8  ( 6 in first half,2  in 2nd half).

Yellow cards: Kilcormac/Killoughey – (0); Birr – (0) 

Red cards: Kilcormac/Killoughey– (0 ); Birr – (0).