Rower-Inistioge 1-9
Buffers Alley 0-10
KILKENNY’S ROWER-INISTIOGE came from behind to lift silverware in today’s AIB Leinster intermediate hurling club final at Bellefield in Enniscorthy.
Rower-Inistioge got the better of Wexford side Buffers Alley to crown a glorious year for the club after they had already collected Kilkenny hurling titles at minor and intermediate level.
In the process they became the fourth Kilkenny club in five years to win the Leinster championship in this grade and will hope to follow in the footsteps of Clara who went on to win the All-Ireland title at that level last February.
Captained by Kilkenny senior Kieran Joyce, Rower-Inistioge trailed by 0-8 to 0-5 at the break with Andrew Kenny wreaking havoc for Buffers Alley as he chalked up five points on the board.
But Rower-Inistioge got a host after the break when David Lyng got in for the only goal of the game to help them lead buy 1-6 to 0-8 in the 35th minute.
Yet with twelve minutes remaining, the momentum had shifted to Buffers Alley as they lead by 0-10 to 1-6.
Scores were at a premium in the finale but Rower-Inistioge drew level and then injury-time points were notched by Ciaran Ryan and Sean Lyster as they chiseled out a two-point success.
Rower-Inistioge now go forward to face Antrim’s Clooney Gaels at the All-Ireland semi-final stage in January.
The other semi-final of the competition sees Galway’s Kilnadeema-Leitrim having already qualified and they will face the winners of the All-Ireland quarter-final on December 1st between Munster champions Youghal from Cork and London side St Gabriel’s.
