Richie Hogan cameo helps Burke’s men claim Tommy Murphy Cup
BY NIALL SHERRY, SPORTS EDITOR
SPORTSEDITOR@KILKENNYOBSERVER.IE
AIB Leinster Club IHC final
Danesfort 2-15 Ratoath 0-12
It wasn’t in the script, one of the greatest making their first appearance of the season in the provincial final, and helping his side turn a deficit into victory, but that is exactly what Richie Hogan did in Pairc Tailteann last Sunday. Trailing Ratoath by six points as the game entered its last quarter, Adrian Burke rolled the dice and sent on 7-time Liam MacCarthy winner Richie Hogan to inject some much-needed chaos into proceedings, and that is exactly what the Kilkenny legend added to the decider in Navan. The diminutive former Hurler of the Year notched 1-1 but his mere presence was enough to create a little bit of fear in the Meath Champions ranks as those in black and amber registered 2-9 in the final 15 minutes to turn a near certain defeat into an historic win to claim the Tommy Murphy Cup, silverware named after the late father of Danesfort’s Paul Murphy, who along with team captain, Diarmuid Phelan raised the cup in celebration.
The home side got off to a flyer, Daithi McGowan getting the scoreboard moving inside 20 seconds. The talented Daire O’Neill responded for Danesfort, but any momentum was spoiled by some uncharacteristic shooting, which resulted in several wides. Ratoath’s top marksman, Padraig O’Hanrahan punished the Noresiders wastefulness and notched 0-5 to leave Andy Dermody’s side five clear at the end of the first quarter. When Cathal Kearney whipped over his sides third score of the final, the Royal County side were four ahead with about seven minutes of the half remaining. County star ‘Podge’ O’Hanrahan tagged on his 7th score of the afternoon and the last score of the opening period came from centre back Darragh Kelly to leave the Meath champions up by six, having had the wind at their backs in Pairc Tailteann.
When the Kilkenny champions returned to the pitch, their opponents kept them waiting, but this didn’t appear to upset Adrian Burke’s men, as they had more of a spring in their step when play resumed. The energetic Cathal O’Neill got things going for the visitors, striking over a fine point on 32 minutes. One of the rising stars for the ‘Fort is Anthony Ireland Wall and the U20 star fired over a tidy point and the men from the Marble City built on this with another fine score from Sam Hayes as the deficit was cut to three points. As was the case in the first half, Ratoath were relying heavily on the contribution of Padraig O’Hanrahan and the prolific forward struck the games next three scores to restore the hosts 6-point lead on 44 minutes. Then came the momentum shifter for Danesfort, the great Richie Hogan was sprung from the bench in place of Colm Phelan. The games next score came from a placed ball, courtesy of Anthony Ireland Wall, and the first of two majors was not far away. A handling error from Ratoath keeper, Colm O’Riordan saw the ball drop in a crowded square, but thankfully Sam Hayes had the presence of mind to flick the sliotar through his own legs for a crucial score that reduced the deficit to 2 points.
Another fine score from play by Anthony Ireland Wall and a sweet one from Fionn O’Mahony deadlocked matters with just over eight minutes of normal time remaining in Pairc Tailteann. Then came the games defining score from the legendary Hogan. A long ball into the Ratoath defence was claimed by Liam Corbett, who firstly showed great composure to flick the ball over the head of Ireland wall but then played a looping pass across his square which appeared to catch Conor McGill by surprise, as the corner back juggled with the sliotar as he tried to take possession and this allowed the prowling Richie Hogan to steal the ball before striking it past netminder Colm O’Riordan. Queue wild cheers from the Danesfort supporters in Navan, their side now lead by 3 points.
Andy Dermody’s side had no answer to the waves of black and amber. Robbie Walsh then split the posts to make it a two-score game with just over six minutes left to play. Not to be outdone by his more famous brother, Danesfort keeper Paddy Hogan converted two long range placed balls, one of which was won by Richie. Anthony Ireland Wall knocked over his fifth point of the final, just ahead of a score from Richie Hogan. Robbie Walsh tagged on his second of the day and the games last score to leave the winning margin at nice points, a little harsh on the Meath side, but take nothing away from Adrian Burke’s charges, they were deserved winners. Final score: Danesfort 2-15 Ratoath 0-12.
Danesfort scorers: Anthony Ireland Wall 0-5 (0-3f), Sam Hayes 1-1, R Hogan 1-1, Paddy Hogan 0-2 (0-2f), R Walsh 0-2, Cathal Kearney 0-1 (0-1f), Daire O’Neill 0-1, Cathal O’Neill 0-1, Fionn Mahony 0-1.
Ratoath scorers: Padraig O’Hanrahan 0-10 (0-8f), Daithi McGowan 0-1, Darragh Kelly 0-1.
Danesfort: Paddy Hogan; Adam Byrne, Diarmuid Phelan, Darragh Coverdale; Des Dunne, Paul Murphy, Daire O’Neill; Cathal Kearney, Cathal O’Neill; Robbie Walsh, Dan Dowling, Sam Hayes; Anthony Ireland Wall, Colm Phelan, Fionn Mahony.
Subs: Richie Hogan for Phelan 44, Aiden Cowley for Dowling 57.
Ratoath: Colm O’Riordan; Liam Corbett, Ben McGowan, Conor McGill; Niall McLarnon, Darragh Kelly, Domhnall Rogers; Ciaran O’Hanrahan, Jack McGowan; Rob Hayes, Daithi McGowan, Padraig O’Hanrahan; Bryan McMahon, Cian Rogers, Gavin McGowan.
Subs: Tomas Corbett for Hayes 55.
Referee: Conor Daly (Kildare).
