Tinnelly goal wins it for kingscourt

Kingscourt Stars 1-9
Castlerahan 0-11

Paul Fitzpatrick
at Kingspan Breffni Park

A palmed goal from Man of the Match Philip Tinnelly eight minutes from time proved the crucial score as Kingscourt Stars saw off Castlerahan in a hard-fought county senior final this afternoon.

Castlerahan looked to be on course for a first SFC title when a point from teenager Cormac Daly helped them into a 0-7 to 0-4 lead 11 minutes into the second half but Kingscourt manager Niall Lynch played the ace in his pack, forward Philip Smith, and the veteran helped swing things in the way of his side.

Smith kicked a great point with his first touch and provided the pass for Tinnelly's goal, as well as laying on another point for sub Cian McArdle, as the Stars out-scored their opponents by 1-5 to 0-2 in a devastating 150minute spell.

Castlerahan pushed hard late on, mustering a free from Cian Mackey and a point from play from Ronan Flanagan, but they were desperately unlucky to see a late, late effort from Paul Smith strike the outside of the upright and go wide.

Castlerahan had looked very sharp early on, with Oisin O'Connell to the fore in attack, and they led by 0-5 to 0-2 at half-time but Kingscourt dug deep and found a higher gear after the break, with youngster Peter Corrigan also turning in a great shift.

 

 

And that was that. After the heartbreak of losing the 2012 final in a replay and last year's by a single point, the Stars claimed the Oliver Plunkett Cup once again.

“I could just see a blue jersey, I didn't know who it was, I said I'd try to just get it across there,” said Smith, describing the goal.

“I said before today that I'd give up my other medal to win one today and it just feels great.”

See Wednesday's paper for full report and reaction