Kyle Crowned Junior B Champions After Thrilling Final

Kyle Crowned Junior B Champions After Thrilling Final

Photo credit Denis Byrne

Laois Shopping Centre JHC B Final

Kyle 4-11
Castletown 3-8

Kyle were crowned Junior B hurling champions after an entertaining final in which their explosive first-half performance ultimately proved decisive.

Kyle started brilliantly. Jack Fitzpatrick immediately made up for missing a close range free and opened the scoring with a goal after emerging from a midfield ruck, struck for a point instead it dropped into the net, before adding a point from play after this too. Stephen Clarke then began to cause serious problems for the Castletown defence with his direct running, scoring a superb solo goal and later winning the penalty which Fitzpatrick converted.

Castletown worked hard defensively despite the immense Kyle attacking pressure. Brian Ferens produced an important interception to deny Kyle’s Paul Scully while Castletown’s Gearoid Kirwan made two successive excellent clearances to keep Kyle from adding further scores.

Kyle’s fourth goal was undoubtley the highlight of the entire final. Goalie Matthew Bergin launched a superb long puckout of approximately 85 metres towards Eoin Quinlan in the forward line. Quinlan rose brilliantly to win the high ball around the 45, drove forward and finished superbly into the net.

Castletown refused to fold. Cian Kirwan was outstanding from placed balls and play, keeping his side in the contest, before cleverly finding the net from a short-range free.

Kirwan also scored a penalty goal.

Kyle went into the break leading 4-7 to 2-5.

Castletown came out strongly after half-time, with Ferens again making an important defensive intervention. Kirwan continued to score, but Kyle then entered a 15-minute scoreless spell, hitting four wides and allowing Castletown an opportunity to build momentum.

During that period for Kyle: Eoin Quinlan was particularly influential. He continued winning high balls, competing for 50/50 possession, winning frees and carrying the ball through tackles despite Kyle’s struggles in front of goal.

Castletown eventually found the net through Kevin Carroll late on at 55 mins, but Kyle regained control. Fitzpatrick added three points in succession, with Quinlan instrumental in creating two of them.

Kyle saw out the final to deservedly win 4-11 to 3-8

Stephen Clarke finished with 1-3 while Eoin Quinlan contributed 1-1 in a hugely influential performance. Castletown’s Cian Kirwan finished with an outstanding 2-8 but Kyle’s greater spread of scorers ultimately proved decisive.

Talking Points

1. Castletown’s reliance on Cian Kirwan

A major talking point from the final was Castletown’s heavy reliance on Cian Kirwan for their scores. Kirwan finished with an outstanding 2-8, accounting for 2-8 of Castletown’s total 3-8. He kept Castletown in the game with his accuracy from frees, 65s and play, and also scored both of their goals before Kevin Carroll’s second-half goal.

However, the lack of scoring support ultimately proved costly.

It is extremely difficult for a team to win a final when virtually the entire scoring burden rests on one player, no matter how good that player’s individual performance is.

Kyle, by contrast, had a much greater spread of scorers. Even during periods when Kyle were struggling in front of goal, they had multiple players capable of contributing on the scoreboard.

Castletown’s defensive effort and work rate were not the issue: Gearoid Kirwan and Brian Ferens produced important defensive interventions against Kyle’s attack: but ultimately they needed more players to contribute to the scoreline alongside Cian Kirwan.

2. Kyle’s 15-minute scoreless spell

Another significant talking point was Kyle going 15 minutes without scoring in the second half. Despite having established a commanding lead, Kyle hit four wides in succession and could not add to their score during that period. It gave Castletown an opportunity to build momentum and put pressure back on the champions. However, Kyle’s ability to remain composed and continue working was crucial. Eoin Quinlan was particularly influential during this scoreless spell, winning high balls, competing strongly in 50/50 challenges, winning frees and carrying possession through tackles with his strength and pace. His work ensured Kyle continued to create opportunities even when the scores were not coming. Once Kyle finally broke the 15-minute drought, they regained their attacking momentum, with Jack Fitzpatrick and Quinlan contributing as Kyle finished strongly.

Man of the Match:

Stephen Clarke (1-3) (Kyle)

Stephen Clarke (Kyle No. 13) was the outstanding player of the final, finishing with an excellent 1-3.

His solo goal was one of the best individual moments of the match, while he also won the penalty which led to Kyle’s third goal. His pace, direct running and ability to create danger every time he received possession made him a constant threat to the Castletown defence.

Clarke was at the heart of Kyle’s attacking performance and deservedly takes the Man of the Match award.

Close Second: Eoin Quinlan: (1-1) (Kyle)

Eoin Quinlan (Kyle No. 11) was a very close second after a superb all-round performance, finishing with 1-1.

His contribution was particularly impressive during Kyle’s 15-minute scoreless spell in the second half. Even though Kyle couldn’t find the target during that period, Quinlan continued to drive the team forward, winning high balls, 50/50 challenges and frees while carrying possession through tackles with strength and pace.

He also played a major role in Kyle’s late scores, setting up two of Jack Fitzpatrick’s final three points.

His first-half goal, created by Matthew Bergin’s magnificent long puckout, was arguably the best goal of the final.

Clarke provided the attacking brilliance with 1-3, while Quinlan’s 1-1 and relentless work rate made him an outstanding close second.

SCORERS – Kyle: Jack Fitzpatrick 2-4 (1-0 penalty, 0-2 frees, 0-1 65), Stephen Clarke 1-3, Eoin Quinlan 1-1, Adam Fitzpatrick 1-0, Kevin O’Grady 0-2, Scott O’Brien 0-1. Castletown: Cian Kirwan 2-8 (1-7 frees, 1-0 penalty, 0-1 65), Kevin Carroll 1-0.

CASTLETOWN: Jay Cuddy; Oran McKelvey, Brian Ferns, Gearoid Kirwan; Ciaran Dunne, Martin Reddin, Ciaran Lyons; Loughlin Hegarty, Ryan Byrne; Cian Kirwan, Fionn Cuddy, Jamie Phelan; Killian Breen, Daire Tobin, Kevin Carroll. Subs: Trevor Abbott for G Kirwan (33), John Paul Bennett for Breen and Patrick O’Connor for Dunne (both 52), John Egan for Lyons and Billy Kerry for F Cuddy (both 60)

KYLE: Matthew Bergin; Andrew Bourke, Conor Quinlan, Niall Delaney; Daithi Mulvey, Alan Moloney, Darren Clavin Morrissey; Jack Fitzpatrick, Michael Mulvey; Scott O’Brien, Eoin Quinlan, Kevin O’Grady; Stephen Clarke, Paul Scully, Adam Fitzpatrick. Subs: Evan Fitzpatrick for Clavin Morrissey (ht), Darragh Morrissey for Fitzpatrick (45)

REFEREE: Brian Farrell (The Harps)