Joe Brady, the veteran former Offaly forward, struck a late match-winning goal in Tullamore to secure a dramatic county senior hurling title success for Coolderry, their first since 2011 and a record 30th overall.
Opponents St Rynagh’s were competing in their seventh final since their last win in 1993 and finally looked primed for victory when they led by three with five minutes remaining.
That constituted a 10-point turnaround in a thrilling second-half as Rynagh’s were seven points down at one stage after the break following a poor start.
Stephen Wynne was excellent for Rynagh’s and his 13th point of the game put them into that three-point lead.
Damian Murray’s 58th-minute point from a free put Coolderry within two points before Brady, who was moved from centre back to full forward, snatched victory for the club by blasting into the net despite the attention of two defenders.
Advertisement
Brian Carroll, the team captain and experienced county player, fired the insurance score from a free approaching full-time to help secure a 2-15 to 1-16 Sean Robbins Cup success.
Kevin Connolly, named man of the match on his birthday, grabbed Coolderry’s earlier goal in the first-half, helping them to lead by 1-9 to 0-7 at half-time. Coolderry would move seven clear in the third quarter of the game until a goal from Ben Conneely, a half-time substitute, ignited Rynagh’s and they came so close to snatching a belated win before the stunning climax.
The result also secured Coolderry a Leinster club quarter-final clash with the Dublin champions on November 8. The winners of that tie will then take on the Kilkenny representatives.
Meanwhile, David O’Sullivan was man of the match as Ballygunner overcame Tallow to claim back-to-back Waterford senior hurling championship titles on a 0-16 to 0-12 score line.
Brian and Shane O’Sullivan put Ballygunner on the front foot initially with the game’s first two points, though Tallow were back on level terms by the sixth minute thanks to two scores from Ryan Grey, their free-taker and top scorer.
Advertisement
A 10th-minute Barry O’Sullivan point put Ballygunner back into the lead and with 18 minutes on the clock they were four clear at 0-7 to 0-3.
Placed ball expert Grey, with seven points in the opening half, hauled Tallow back into the contest again and the sides were locked on 0-8 apiece at half-time.
Grey briefly put Tallow ahead with a point immediately after the restart though Ballygunner finally put daylight between the sides with scores from Brian and David O’Sullivan, Peter Hogan and Conor Power.
Tallow required a goal in the closing stages but couldn’t conjure one and Tim O’Sullivan’s 58th-minute point for Ballygunner was the score that secured a four-point win and a 14th title, moving them into second position in the Déise’s overall roll of honour.
Niall Dowdall’s goal was crucial as Clonkill claimed their third Westmeath senior hurling championship title in five seasons with a 1-14 to 1-10 win over Raharney.
Advertisement
Killian Doyle’s 43rd-minute goal for Raharney had levelled the scores up in an exciting decider at Cusack Park but Dowdall struck just three minutes later to put Clonkill into a lead they would hold on to.
It was a tie that swung in favour of both sides at different stages with Clonkill moving two clear early on before a surge from Raharney that put the 2014 winners one up after 17 minutes.
Clonkill ultimately took a 0-7 to 0-5 lead into the interval and despite leaking that goal to Doyle which tied up the game at 1-8 to 0-11, they were quickly back on the front foot.
Dowdall and Robbie Greville traded points but Clonkill retained a crucial three-point cushion late on. Raharney went for goal at the death but Brian Connaughton’s attempt from a free was blocked and Clonkill took advantage themselves at the other end with a point from Eoin Price to close out the contest.
It was easier for St Mullins who retained the Carlow senior hurling championship title thanks to a 1-14 to 0-10 win over Mount Leinster Rangers, the 2014 AIB All-Ireland club finalists.
Advertisement
The two clubs have shared the county titles since 2009 with St Mullins claiming their third title since 2010 thanks principally to a strong second-half display.
They were just 0-6 to 0-5 ahead at half-time but outscored Rangers by six points in the second-half to win with some to spare.