Swatragh stun Kevin Lynch's to take Intermediate Hurling title!

Kevin Lynch’s 0-11

Swatragh 2-10

It was sheer hunger, even more than Storm Ashley, that was behind a remarkable Swatragh victory over Kevin Lynch’s in a memorable Intermediate final at Owenbeg.

For many, Declan McGuckin’s side were massive underdogs heading into this year’s final, even more so when they went in at half-time trailing by seven points. But those in attendance at Owenbeg knew that there was still another chapter to be written because the wind and rain was so influential on proceedings that many were actually asking if seven points would be enough for Kevin Lynch’s. Throw in 10 wides in that first half and Lynch’s could, and perhaps, should have been much further ahead.

The answer to that was a resounding ‘no’, as Lynch’s paid a big price for those wides. Swatragh dominated the second period, not just with the driving wind and rain at their backs, but also due to sheer desire to win, led courageously and persistently by the brilliant James Friel, who scored six points in all, each more important than the last as Swa’ edged ever closer to the Lynch’s total.

But it was ultimately two goals in the last five minutes which decided this game, with Cathal Murray and Sean Martin Quinn both in the right place at the right time to, with some luck it must be said, fire the ball over the line to strike devastating blows which Lynch’s were never likely to recover from.

Depending on your perspective, Lynch’s were either slight favourites or strong favourites, but they were fancied by most nonetheless, with nine of their squad playing county hurling last year. But they never showed up for the second half at all, outgunned 2-7 to just one point in a second half which will live long in the memory for those in green and white.

Swatragh now go on to play Lisbellaw in Ulster at the end of a weekend which will not be forgotten, with the club’s camogie team also ending Slaughtneil’s challenge for 10-in-a-row just 24 hours earlier. This was certainly the weekend when everyone at Swatragh got together and decided that they were going to make a mockery of their opponents’ favourites tags.

It all looked it was going to script in the opening 15 minutes as Kevin Lynch’s dominated. Goalkeeper Sean Kelly had everyone talking, not just for opening the scoring early on after a succession of wides from both teams, but for his outrageous second score, which, after much discussion, came from all of 120 metres, from one end of the pitch to the other.

Richie Mullan, Darragh McGilligan and Niall McGonagle all added to the growing tally and it was 0-7, 0-0 and not looking good at all for Swatragh, who were equally as guilty with wide themselves.

It wasn’t until the 19th minute that Swatragh got themselves on the board, with Cathal Quinn splitting the posts, and PJ O’Connell the showed great determination to double their total, as they fought for a way to stay within touching distance with half time fast approaching.

Friel then hit his first free in deteriorating conditions, and while Richie Mullan responded for Kevin Lynch’s, the difference was only seven at the break, and very few, if any, in Owenbeg, thought this was over.

Half Time 0-10, 0-3

The opening scores in the second half were always going to be important in the story of this game, and it was Swatragh who put their foot down emphatically to show that they were very much up for the fight.

It was now that Friel came into his own, and he hit four successive scores, three frees and one from open play as he began to find his range, and Lynch’s struggled to know what to do with him.

A great free from Mullan gave Lynch’s a much-needed score on 49 minutes, but the momentum was with Swatragh and Friel was on target again. Sean Martin Quinn then had a goal chance saved by Niall McQuillan, but the rebound fell for O’Connell. Who fired over to put two points between the sides.

It was all building up to a dramatic finale and it didn’t disappoint as Swatragh took the lead for the first time with just four minutes remaining. Cathal Murray went in to score, but he didn’t catch his effort cleanly and it crawled agonisingly towards the line. A bundle of bodies converged in one spot to try and finish it or stop it, but at the end of the melee, the green flag was raised and the goal was given.

Murray hit another point, but even without that it didn’t seem as if Lynch’s had a response in them, but Swatragh made sure in added time when Friel sent the sliotar deep into the Lynch’s half, and Sean Martin Quinn was there, striking the ball off the base of the post, before staying alive to striker the rebound into the empty net.

There could even have been a third Swatragh goal after that when O’Connell went through, but he was denied by a strong save from McQuillan.

Not that it mattered. The game was won by that stage, and the final whistle soon followed to seal a remarkable, yet deserved, Intermediate Championship victory.

Teams and Scorers

Kevin Lynch's: Sean Kelly (0-2), Jack Dunne, Paddy Kelly, Eoin McKeever, Thomas Brady, Richie Mullan (0-4, 3f), Mark Craig, Niall McGonigle (0-1), Darragh McGilligan (0-2), Steven O'Neill, Niall Ferris, Darragh Mullan, Odhran McElhinney, John Mullan, Ronan Mullan (0-2).

Subs: 10 Corey O’Reilly for 13 Odhran McElhinney 39’, Tiarnan McHugh for Niall McGonigle 46’, Odhran Murphy Ronan Mullen 54’, Declan Quinn for Kevin McAllister 57.  

Swatragh: Niall McQuillan, Ben Kearney, Patrick Turner, John McKeagney, Tiarnan Walsh, James Friel (0-6, 5f), Cathal Quinn (0-1), Dominic Quinn, Sean Francis Quinn, Sean Martin Quinn (1-0), Paul Gunning, Fintan McGurk, Oisin O'Kane, PJ O'Connell (0-2), Cathal Murray (1-1).

Subs: Michael Kirkpatrick for Dominic Bradley 42’, Malachy O’Hagan for John McKeagney 52’, Mick McCormack for Cathal Murray 62’.

Referee: Tarlach Conway