St Eunan’s hurlers hold firm to make first ever Ulster decider

St Eunan’s hurlers are into an historic Ulster Intermediate Hurling final after a titanic battle with Lisbellaw in Healy Park.

The winners led for most of the match, going in at half-time with a 0-9 to 0-6 advantage after playing with a strong breeze.

They found their rhythm in the second half and appeared to have sealed the deal when they led by 0-15 to 0-11 six minutes from time.

But a strong finish from Lisbellaw left just a point between the sides.

However, time ran out for the Fermanagh champions as the Donegal side held on for a narrow but just about deserved victory.

St Eunan’s started with a strong breeze and lively debutant Conall Herron hit a fine point after a minute.

But Lisbellaw replied in kind through Jimmy Tormey, and marksman John Duffy put them ahead after four minutes.

Eunan’s free-taker Peter Kelly landed a long-range free, while Herron converted a fine effort, with wing-back Ryan Hilferty putting them in front.

Herron and Kelly eased the Donegal champions into a 0-5 to 0-2 lead, and Kelly made it a four-point game by the 17th minute.

St Eunan’s then had an arguable penalty appeal when Herron appeared to be held back as he bore down on goal.

Kelly pointed the resultant free with aplomb to put St Eunan’s into a 0-7 to 0-2 lead.

Lisbellaw then got their first score in 14 minutes when Duffy converted a free after Ciaran Corrigan was fouled.

Duffy and Kevin Kealy swapped points as Eunan’s led by 0-8 to 0-4, with the game turning into a massive physical battle.

Jimmy Tormey pointed for the Fermanagh champions, while Herron had a half-chance of a goal when he fell and threw his hurl at the sliotar, but the ball went just wide.

John Duffy and Kelly then exchanged points as Eunan’s led by 0-9 to 0-6 at the break.

Eunan’s stretched their lead on the resumption through a Kelly free, but two points from Caolan Duffy and John Duffy made it a two-point game.

Exchanges were ferocious at times, with Kelly stretching Eunan’s lead to 0-11 to 0-8.

Points from John Duffy and the impressive Ciaran Corrigan, along with another from Kelly, left Eunan’s ahead by 0-12 to 0-10.

Eunan’s had two good goal chances, but Kevin Kealy booted the first over the bar, while John Kealy blasted the ball wide from 12 yards.

Lisbellaw had their misses too, hitting four wides during a period midway through the second half.

Brian MacIntyre was finding space in the Lisbellaw defence and tapped over a fine point, while Eunan’s goalkeeper Cathal O’Brien saved a close-range effort from Sean Corrigan.

Substitute Russell Forde made it 0-15 to 0-10 and it seemed Eunan’s had sealed victory.

But a late rally from the 'Law yielded four points from Sean Corrigan, Ciaran Corrigan (0-2) and Aidan Flanagan as Eunan’s held on for victory.

St Eunan’s scorers: Peter Kelly 0-6, 6f; Kevin Kealy 0-3; Brian MacIntyre 0-2; Conall Herron 0-2; Ryan Hilferty 0-1; Russell Forde 0-1.

Lisbellaw scorers: John Duffy 0-6, 6f; Jimmy Tormey 0-2; Ciaran Corrigan 0-2; Darragh Flanagan 0-1; Sean Corrigan 0-1; Caolan Duffy 0-1; Aidan Flanagan 0-1.

St Eunan’s: Cathal O’Brien; Sean Halvey, Steven Doherty, Lorcan Heavey; Conor Parke, Conor O’Grady, Ryan Hilferty; David Horgan, John Kealy; Brian MacIntyre, Kevin Kealy, Peter Kelly; Fearghal Delaney, Sean McVeigh, Conall Herron.

Subs: Russell Forde for Fearghal Delaney (45), Brendan Gaffey for Conor Parke (56).

Lisbellaw: Mark Slevin; Ciaran Duffy, Ronan McGurn, Dylan Bannon; Danny Teague, Darragh Flanagan; Adam McShea, Ciaran Corrigan; Tommy Duane, Caolan Duffy, Tom Keenan; Sean Corrigan, John Duffy, Jimmy Tormey.

Subs: Aidan Flanagan for Danny Teague (22), Barrie Duffy for Tommy Duane (43), Francie McBrien for Michael Flanagan (51).

Referee: Kevin Parke (Antrim).