Naomh Eoin triumph over Easkey in Sligo final
Naomh Eoin secured a remarkable victory to win their second Sligo Senior Hurling Championship, ending Easkey’s reign as champions. The gripping final at Markievicz Park showcased a thrilling comeback and a decisive late free from Gerard O’Kelly-Lynch.
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GAA News
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⏱️ 2 min read
Naomh Eoin produced a stunning performance to claim their second county hurling title, dethroning defending champions Easkey in a pulsating Sligo SHC Final at Markievicz Park. Their first triumph since 2019 was marked by an early score from captain Paul O’Leary and a relentless display of skill and determination.
Easkey responded swiftly when Patrick Walsh netted, but Naomh Eoin quickly found their rhythm, with Gerard O’Kelly-Lynch’s frees levelling the contest early on. The Townies then surged ahead thanks to a flurry of points from O’Kelly-Lynch and O’Leary, holding a strong 0-13 to 1-6 lead at half-time despite the efforts of newly crowned Nicky Rackard Cup Player of the Year Andrew Kilcullen.
Although Easkey mounted a fierce late rally, drawing level in the 62nd minute through Kilcullen and Finnian Cawley, Naomh Eoin’s composure prevailed. In the 64th minute, Gerard O’Kelly-Lynch calmly slotted over the winning free, securing a memorable victory for Naomh Eoin and etching their name once more on the county championship trophy.
Naomh Eoin scorers: Gerard O’Kelly-Lynch 0-10 (9 frees, 1 65), Paul O’Leary 0-4, Donal Fidgeon 0-2, Tony O’Kelly-Lynch 0-1.
Easkey scorers: Andrew Kilcullen 0-8 (7 frees), Patrick Walsh 1-1, Finnian Cawley 0-1, Cormac Vereker 0-1, Thomas Cawley 0-1, Fionn Connolly 0-1.
Line-ups:
Naomh Eoin: Matt Davey; Thomas Davis, Niall Feehily, Donal Keaveny; Darragh Cawley, Paul O’Brien, Donal Fidgeon; Gerard O’Kelly-Lynch, Liam O’Kelly-Lynch; Paul O’Leary, Tony O’Kelly-Lynch, Donnchadh O’Brien; Rory O’Conallain, Fergal O’Kelly-Lynch, Thomas O’Brien. Subs: Arthur Wall for Thomas O’Brien (56).
Easkey: Adam Rolston; Shane Molloy, James Weir, Gavin Connolly; Bernard Feeney, Finnian Cawley, Donall Hanley; Ronan Molloy, Mikey Gordon; Cormac Vereker, Joe McHugh, Thomas Cawley; Patrick Walsh, Andrew Kilcullen, Fionn Connolly. Subs: Niall Kilcullen for Bernard Feeney (39); Micheal McDonagh for Cormac Vereker (42); Gavin Connolly for Dylan Walsh (42); Eanna Moylan for Patrick Walsh (55).
Referee: Michael Larkin.
Easkey responded swiftly when Patrick Walsh netted, but Naomh Eoin quickly found their rhythm, with Gerard O’Kelly-Lynch’s frees levelling the contest early on. The Townies then surged ahead thanks to a flurry of points from O’Kelly-Lynch and O’Leary, holding a strong 0-13 to 1-6 lead at half-time despite the efforts of newly crowned Nicky Rackard Cup Player of the Year Andrew Kilcullen.
Although Easkey mounted a fierce late rally, drawing level in the 62nd minute through Kilcullen and Finnian Cawley, Naomh Eoin’s composure prevailed. In the 64th minute, Gerard O’Kelly-Lynch calmly slotted over the winning free, securing a memorable victory for Naomh Eoin and etching their name once more on the county championship trophy.
Naomh Eoin scorers: Gerard O’Kelly-Lynch 0-10 (9 frees, 1 65), Paul O’Leary 0-4, Donal Fidgeon 0-2, Tony O’Kelly-Lynch 0-1.
Easkey scorers: Andrew Kilcullen 0-8 (7 frees), Patrick Walsh 1-1, Finnian Cawley 0-1, Cormac Vereker 0-1, Thomas Cawley 0-1, Fionn Connolly 0-1.
Line-ups:
Naomh Eoin: Matt Davey; Thomas Davis, Niall Feehily, Donal Keaveny; Darragh Cawley, Paul O’Brien, Donal Fidgeon; Gerard O’Kelly-Lynch, Liam O’Kelly-Lynch; Paul O’Leary, Tony O’Kelly-Lynch, Donnchadh O’Brien; Rory O’Conallain, Fergal O’Kelly-Lynch, Thomas O’Brien. Subs: Arthur Wall for Thomas O’Brien (56).
Easkey: Adam Rolston; Shane Molloy, James Weir, Gavin Connolly; Bernard Feeney, Finnian Cawley, Donall Hanley; Ronan Molloy, Mikey Gordon; Cormac Vereker, Joe McHugh, Thomas Cawley; Patrick Walsh, Andrew Kilcullen, Fionn Connolly. Subs: Niall Kilcullen for Bernard Feeney (39); Micheal McDonagh for Cormac Vereker (42); Gavin Connolly for Dylan Walsh (42); Eanna Moylan for Patrick Walsh (55).
Referee: Michael Larkin.
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