Glen Rovers put 26 years of hurt behind them to claim Cork senior title

Glen Rovers 2-17 Sarsfields 1-13

Glen Rovers’ famous fighting spirit was evident in all its glory as they ended a 26-year wait to capture the Cork senior hurling title by avenging last year’s defeat by Sarsfields at Pairc Ui Rinn on Sunday.

The city club swept to their 26th title to occupy second place on their own in the roll-of-honour, displaying great hunger and no little skill in reversing a 16-point trouncing suffered at the same stage 12 months ago.

Even though the Glen held a five-point advantage entering the closing quarter, 0-15 to 0-10, the game was still in the balance before it swung their way in two critical moments.

The first came by way of a stunning save by goalkeeper Cathal Hickey to deflect a stinging Cian McCarthy shot around the post for a ‘65, which the Sars player converted to narrow the gap.

But the next attack proved decisive in formulating a likely winner as the Glen split the Sars defence open with a neat inter-change between Conor Dorris and David Busteed sending David Cunningham in for a crucial 49th minute goal, 1-15 to 0-11.

Four minutes later the Sean og Murphy cup was certainly heading Blackpool direction, when wing-back David Dooling found himself in the clear and his finish for the second goal settled the outcome.

Sars grabbed a late consolation goal through McCarthy, but there was no denying the Glen, for whom captain Graham Callanan was inspirational at wing-back in a defence which also had the outstanding Stephen McDonnell and Ben Murphy.

The sides were level six times during a tight first-half, but the Glen finished on a high to lead by 0-10 to 0-8, scoring three times in as many minutes.

Patrick Horgan, who had shot three wides earlier in the half, restored parity from a free, 0-8 apiece after 26 minutes, before a careless hand-pass from defence gifted Cunnigham to edge in front for only the second time in the period.

And the Glen’s spirits rose considerably in the closing act as Horgan pointed his fourth free to complete a satisfactory opening half.

Twice, Sarsfields opened up two-point leads through the accuracy of Gavin O’Loughlin and wing-back Eanna Martin, but the Glen invariably replied immediately with Dean Brosnan leading their charge with three points.

The city team’s greater appetite was evident as well during the opening stages of the second-half with Callanan leading the way and they gradually compiled the winning scores before savouring a long overdue success.

Glen Rovers: C Hickey; B Moylan, B Murphy, S McDonnell; G Moylan, D Dooling (1-0), G Callanan (0-1), captain; D Cronin, D Noonan; D Brosnan (0-3), P Horgan (0-9, seven frees), D Cunningham (1-2); C Dorris (0-1), B Phelan, D Busteed (0-1). Subs: S Kennefick for B Phelan 51 mins, G Kennefick for Cunningham 55 mins.

Sarsfields: A Kennedy; C O'Sullivan, C Leahy, W Kearney; D Roche, R Ryan, E Martin (0-2); D Kearney, E Quigley, captain; R Murphy (0-1), C McCarthy (1-6, four frees, one '65), G O'Loughlin (0-3); E O'Sullivan, K Murphy, R O'Driscoll (0-1). Subs: T og Murphy for R Murphy 33 mins, L Healy for K Murphy 43 mins, C Duggan for O'Driscoll 51mins, P Leopold for Martin 54 mins.

Referee: D Kirwan (Cork).