St Gabriels add Ronan Cup to the collection

St Gabriels ‘B’ 1-22                        Sean Treacy’s 0-23   AET

St Gabriels ‘B’ had a sensational win over strong favourites Sean Treacy’s in the Tom Ronan Cup final yesterday evening at McGovern Park, Ruislip. The game was played in near-perfect conditions and it was St Gabriels that started brightest with an opening point from Robbie Murphy who was in sparkling form. Andrew Curtin also fired over and with Mick Shannon scoring some early frees, the tone was set for the evening. St Gabriels led 0-5 to 0-3 after 15 minutes before Sean Treacy’s finally began to assert some superiority on proceedings as the halfway mark approached. Two wonderful saves by goalkeeper Niall Cannon in the 2^nd quarter, along with some stout defending by Cormac Thornton, Tadgh Linnane and Hugh Conlon kept Sean Treacy’s at bay. Yet, St Gabriels were within touching distance going in at the break, the half time score 0-11 to 0-6.

St Gabriels manager Paddy Mullally clearly instilled some further belief into his charges during the break and it was St Gabriels who set about clawing back the lead with Robbie Murphy shooting a spectacular opening point to get the scoring underway for the second half. The St Gabriels defensive lines continued to hold firm, while upfront Josh Tobin took over the free-taking duties for the second half. The game tightened and we were treated to some fantastic exchanges as both sides knew this was going down to the wire. Dave O Gorman was having a titanic battle in midfield with Sean Treacy’s Ogie Murphy, while Martin Hickey was breaking Hurley’s in his efforts to contain Tommy McGrath. Elsewhere, Hugh Conlon kept tabs on Brendan Kelly ably assisted by the ever-present Frankie Tierney. The excitement was palpable among the supporters as Josh Tobin fired over a late free to level the game at 0-17 each as referee Tony Geary started to check his watch for full-time. A final Sean Treacy’s attack was repelled and with 3 minutes of injury time played, the match official sounded his whistle for full-time.

Extra time and it was all to play for, end-to-end exchanges with some great personal duels as both sets of players gave their all. Four unerring frees from Josh Tobin kept St Gabriels in it as the tension mounted. 0-21 each at the turnaround, nothing separating the sides as the finish line drew into sight. Sean Treacy’s edged ahead with an excellent score from the impressive Tommy McGrath and St Gabriels ‘B’ were struggling with the chances becoming harder to come by. A final St Gabriels onslaught saw Cathal Nevin taken down as he broke through on goal—a chance to level the game with 3 minutes remaining. Josh Tobin had other ideas as the Kilkenny native slammed the sliotar to the net from the resultant 20m free.  Sean Treacy’s fired over immediately in response before Mick Shannon settled St Gabriels’ nerves with a further point from out on the right. Time was almost up and two other efforts from Treacy’s went wide before Tony Geary blew for the final time in what was an epic win for St Gabriel’s.

St Gabriel’s captain Pat Sloane, receiving the cup from the vice chairperson of the London Co Board Roddy Walsh, paid tribute to the remarkable team effort and thanked the Sean Treacy’s for a great sporting game.