Warwickshire 3-13
Lancashire 2-14
IT WAS a bittersweet end for Warwickshire in the Lory Meagher Cup after tasting victory over Lancashire at Pairc na hÉireann, but ultimately losing out to Sligo in the race for a Croke Park spot.
In truth it was always likely to be a long shot given the permutations that had to fall in their favour and any hopes of a heavy Sligo defeat were extinguished early on as the Yeats County demolished Fermanagh in a dress rehearsal to this weekend’s final.
Nonetheless, there was a competitive game between the two counties competing in this last match in Birmingham and the commitment was evident.
The home side looked to be in the ascendency early on thanks to points from Conor Robbins, Emmet McCabe (free), and Sean Hennessy - the latter lashing a superb effort from the right wing high over the bar.
Lancashire responded well though, Colm O’Callaghan making no mistake with an early free that was followed by two excellent long range strikes by the Fullen Gaels marksman.
Wolfe Tones keeper Sean Hennessy had to be alert to repel a goal bound free from McCabe before being called upon moments later to deny Colm McBride.
Pauric Crehan restored the Warwickshire advantage midway through the half, but from then until half-time Lancashire took control to hold a five-point lead.
A Kelvin Magee score came shortly before the game’s opening goal, Greg Jacob’s side line cut somehow evaded everyone to nestle into the back of Liam Reale’s net.
McCabe (free) and Joe Sheehan traded points before Lancashire raised a second green flag after some loose play in the home defence enabled Jacob to play in full-forward Sheehan to net from close range.
Lancashire were threatening to pull away from their opponents at this stage and a response was vital from Warwickshire. They found one with their first attack of the second-half when a McCabe free was clinically flicked into the net by an outstretched Pauric Crehan.
McCabe’s third free reduced the gap to a single score before the home side retook the lead with their second goal as David Millea fired home from 15 metres out. The St Barnabas wing-forward followed his goal up with a sumptuous strike on the turn, a score which put Warwickshire into a three-point advantage.
Lancashire were by no means out of it, midfielder O’Callaghan showing the way with two frees either side of McCabe’s fourth free before Jacob fired over to leave his side hot on their opponent’s heels.
An excellent point from John Mitchels’ wing-forward Hennessy, sweeping over from the narrowest of angles, gave Warwickshire renewed impetus but O’Callaghan kept plugging away with another converted free.
With less than 10 minutes remaining, Warwickshire struck a crucial third goal when McBride forced a good save out of Hennessy only for Robbins to follow up with an emphatic finish.
Back came Lancashire once more, determined to record their first win in the championship, as a fierce Jacob drive forced a fantastic save out of Reale before the centre-forward was forced to settle for a 65 after some resolute home defending.
Points from Liam Knocker (65) and Rae McEntee put Lancashire into Warwickshire’s slipstream once again and the game was set up for a grandstand finish as O’Callaghan lobbed a free into the goalmouth where one almighty scramble ensued and ended with a shot belting the post and falling wide.
Man of the match: Kieran Courtney (Warwickshire) A rock for Warwickshire at half-back, absorbed a lot of pressure and was prominent in the frenetic closing quarter.
Score of the match: An instinctive swipe from Sean Hennessy from the narrowest of angles resulted in an unlikely, but skilful score from the Warwickshire wing-forward.
Turning point: A lightning start to the second-half from Warwickshire turned the game on its head, thanks to goals from Pauric Crehan and David Millea.
Wides: Warwickshire (5) 8, Lancashire (4) 8.
Frees for: Warwickshire (7) 14, Lancashire (6) 16.
Yellow Cards: Warwickshire 1 (Conor Robbins 45), Lancashire 3 (Conal Maskey 51; Liam Knocker 60; Kelvin Magee 69).
Red Cards: Warwickshire 0, Lancashire 0
Scorers
Warwickshire: E McCabe 0-6 (5fs), C Robbins 1-1, P Crehan 1-1, D Millea 1-1, S Hennessy 0-4 (1f)
Lancashire: C O’Callaghan 0-8 (5fs), G Jacob 1-1, J Sheehan 1-1, K Magee 0-1, D Maskey 0-1, R McEntee 0-1, L Knocker 0-1 (1’65)
Teams
Warwickshire: L Reale; T Kelly, D Kennedy, S Brough; C Brough, K Courtney, J Quinn; J Meagher, C Robbins; E McCabe, C McBride, S Hennessy; D Millea, P Crehan, C Moran. Subs: T Duggan for C Brough (46 mins) J Bergin for Robbins (67 mins)
Lancashire: S Hennessy; D Sheehan, L Knocker, N Unwin; C Maskey, J O’Shaughnessy, R McEntee; C O’Callaghan, P Duggan; D Coughlan, G Jacob, D O’Grady; D Maskey, J Sheehan, K Magee
Referee: K McGeeney (Roscommon)
