Wicklow 2-17
Meath 2-15
– Jackie Cahill reports from Semple Stadium
WICKLOW have been crowned Bord Gáis Energy All-Ireland U21 B hurling champions for the very first time.
History was made at Semple Stadium this evening as the Garden County edged out 2005 winners Meath by two points.
Not even a personal haul of 2-7 from Jack Regan could prevent defeat for the Royals, as captain Gavin Weir hit 1-4 for the winners.
Regan’s second goal two minutes from time ensured a nervy finish for Wicklow, who led by eight points in the second half, but Jonathan O’Neill’s charges held firm.
Regan had another goal chance from a 20m free but Wicklow kept it out and although Regan bagged the final score of the game, it proved scant consolation.
Pádraig Doyle’s 41st minute goal was a crucial score, opening up a 2-14 to 1-9 victory for Wicklow.
But there was little to choose between the sides at half-time, as Wicklow went in 1-9 to 1-8 ahead.
Regan, Meath’s scorer-in-chief and most impressive player, banged home a penalty in the 29th minute after James Andrews was fouled by Emmet Byrne, an offence that earned the Wicklow corner back a yellow card.
But a minute after registering their opening goal, Meath were picking the ball out of the back of their own net.
Weir, Wicklow’s dead ball specialist, stepped up to hammer home his penalty and hand the Garden County a narrow interval lead.
The sides were level six times during an entertaining opening half, with Meath slightly more profligate in front of goal, registering six wides to Wicklow’s three.
Meath registered the opening score of the game with just 12 seconds on the watch but it was very much nip and tuck for the remainder of the half.
Scorers for Meath: Jack Regan 2-7 (1-0 pen, 0-2f), Luke Martyn 0-4, Gavin McGowan 0-2, Jack Fagan & Seán Quigley 0-1 each.
Scorers for Wicklow: Gavin Weir 1-4 (1-0 pen, 0-2f, 0-1 65), Anthony Byrne 0-4, Pádraig Doyle 1-0, Marc Lennon 0-3, Diarmuid Masterson 0-2, Daniel Staunton, Jamie Byrne, Cian O’Byrne & James Cranley 0-1 each.
MEATH
1. Charlie Bird (Boardsmill)
2. David Conneely (Kildalkey)
3. Luke Rickard (Kildalkey)
4. Colm McGrath (Trim)
5. Conor O’Shea (Dunderry)
17. Shane Whitty (Blackhall Gaels)
7. Eamon Ryan (Kiltale)
8. Luke Martyn (Dunderry)
9. Stefan Kelly (Killyon)
10. Jack Fagan (Rathmoylon)
11. Jack Regan (Kiltale)
12. James Andrews (Trim)
13. Gavin McGowan (Ratoath)
14. Fergal Flattery (Boardsmill)
15. Sean Quigley (St Peter’s, Dunboyne)
Subs:
18. Sean Doyle (Kilmessan) for Flattery (37).
21. Conor Shirren (Kiltale) for Ryan (49).
WICKLOW
1. Robert Fitzgerald (Áth na gCurrach)
2. Sean O’Callaghan (Naomh Padraig)
3. Jim Doyle (Emmet Bhré)
4. Emmet Byrne (Ghleann Fhaidhle)
5. Luke Moloney (Emmet Bhré)
6. Daniel Staunton (Ghleann Fhaidhle)
7. Daire Henderson (Emmet Bhré)
8. Diarmuid Masterson (Emmet Bhré)
9. Marc Lennon (Emmet Bhré)
10. Gavin Weir (Ghleann Fhaidhle)
11. Anthony Byrne (Éire Óg – Clocha Liath)
12. Pádraig Doran (Emmet Carn an Bhua)
13. Jamie Byrne (Ghleann Fhaidhle)
14. Pádraig Doyle (Emmet Bhré)
15. Cian O’Byrne (Emmet Bhré)
Subs:
20. Daire Lohan (Emmet Bhré) for Weir (47)
22. James Cranley (Éire Óg – Clocha Liath) for O’Byrne (48).
23. Andrew Kavanagh (Bearna Dhearg) for A Byrne (55)
19. Jonathan Tallon (Naomh Teagain) for Henderson (60).
Referee: David Hughes (Carlow).
