Two second half goals from Diarmuid Kelly and Eoin Hurley did the job for Derry McMahon’s side
Newcastle West 2-12 Garryspillane 1-11
On what was a wet day in tough, slippery conditions, it was Newcastle West who came out on top in the Premier Intermediate Hurling Final with a four point win over Garryspillane on Sunday.
Derry McMahon’s side secured promotion back to Senior Hurling for the 2025 season thanks to a 2-12 to 1-11 at the TUS Gaelic Grounds in terrific fashion.
This win guarantees that Newcastle West will compete in the Senior Championship in 2025 in what will be their centenary year since their last Senior Championship success.
Newcastle West had started the second half the quicker as Con Hayes registered his second point of the game with some excellent stick work leading up to it by Bryan Nix.
Eoin O’Mahony got off the mark for Garryspillane after 35 minutes which was their first score from play since the eighth minute – before Diarmuid Kelly’s 37th minute goal turned the game on its head – as the wing forward turned over possession.
He unleashed a shot low and hard to beat Adam Sheehan in nets which left his side six points to the good. It left Garryspillane with a lot of work to do in the final 20 minutes.
Garryspillane had dominated early proceedings and held a two point advantage after the opening 10 minutes – with Bryan Heavey, Hugh Flanagan and Colin Ryan all registering points – while Ethan Hurley was Newcastle West’s only scorer, as they hit three poor wides early on.
Both sides struggled to increase their scoring tallies over next few minutes with each team hitting poor wides or just unable to keep possession of the ball. Eoin Hurley’s first free of the day was soon cancelled out by Hugh Flanagan’s free from near the sideline which was Garryspillane’s first score in 12 minutes.
Eoin Hurley and keeper Michael Quilligan sent over consecutive frees to give Newcastle West the lead for the first time after 25 minutes. Brian Hurley then sent over a fine score to leave his side 0-6 to 0-4 up at the break in what was a very stop start encounter thus far.
Despite the best efforts of Hugh Flanagan who sent over the 2018 champions’ next four points including one from play, Newcastle West struck gold once again as Bryan Nix found Eoin Hurley in space. His powerful strike couldn’t be kept out by Sheehan and moments later his free from 40 yards out put his side six ahead with five to play.
There was a late consolation goal – Hugh Flanagan netted after Dylan O’Shea’s 21 yard free was saved – but it did little to change matters. Cathal Hayes’ fantastic score down the other end moments later made sure of the result on a glorious day for Newcastle West.
Scorers: Garryspillane: Hugh Flanagan (0-5 f) 1-6; Bryan Heavey (0-1 f) 0-2, Colin Ryan, Eoin O’Mahony, Dylan O’Shea (0-1 sideline) 0-1 each.
Newcastle West: Eoin Hurley (0-4 f, 0-1 65) 1-05, Diarmuid Kelly 1-0, Michael Quilligan (0-2 f), Con Hayes 0-2 each; Ethan Hurley, Brian Hurley, Cathal Hayes 0-1 each.
Teams: Garryspillane: Adam Sheehan; James O’Sullivan, Robert Sampson, Ciaran Sheehan; Declan Heavey, Mark Quinlan, Jamie Morrissey; Josh Dineen, Dylan O’Shea; Ryan Tobin, Bryan Heavey, Eoin O’Mahony; Shane Ryan, Colin Ryan (C), Hugh Flanagan.
Subs: Kieran Hickey for O’Mahony (45), Peter Morrissey for Ryan (45), Roibeard Donovan for Dineen (55) .
Newcastle West: Michael Quilligan; Maurice Murphy, Seamus Hurley, Aaron Neville; Michael Cremin, Ethan Hurley, Diarmuid Lyons; Ruadhan O’Connor, Brian Hurley (C); Diarmuid Kelly, Con Hayes, Eoin Hurley; Brian Foley, Mike McMahon, Bryan Nix.
Subs: Cathal Hayes for McMahon (45), Willie Hurley for Foley (50).
Referee: Eamonn Stapleton (Doon)