Sean Treacys hurlers win the league for the first time after powerful early goal blitz

Francis Coughlan at Dundrum

"Tá an áthas orm chun on corn seo a ghlacadh ar son foireann Sean Ui Threasaigh" declared a delighted Sean Treacys captain Donnacha O’Brien as he received the Sean Breen Cup from West Board Chairman Tommy Hayes in Dundrum on Tuesday evening following his sides eight point victory over Golden/Kilfeacle in the Maria Marron Palmers Hill Stud Junior B Hurling League Final.

In his acceptance speech he acknowledged the late Sean Breen who he had played soccer with for Donohill FC and the Breen family for honouring his memory with the Cup.

While thanking players and the various backroom team members he also acknowledged the work that had been put in by manager Niall Butler, who had taken lads to the ball alley when he couldn’t get a field to train, claiming that he bleeds blue and gold.

The rain of the previous forty-eight hours made conditions tough and underfoot conditions extremely slippery and certainly did not lead to free flowing hurling.

A more experienced Sean Treacys adapted to the conditions better against a lighter and younger Golden/Kilfeacle side. Helped by two goals in the first twenty minutes the second probably a bit opportunistic had Sean Treacys in control and they rarely looked in trouble after this.

The experience of players like Christy Egan, Tom Hickey, Tom O’Dwyer, Stevie Carr, Patrick Dawson and Seamus Carey were key to Sean Treacys controlling the game and ultimately taking honours.

It was Golden/Kilfeacle who got off the mark first with Jack Bergin pointing from a free in the second minute. The influential Seamus Carey levelled almost immediately into the railway end.

Then Sean Treacys hit the front and never looked back. A pass from Donnacha O’Brien set Partrick Dawson free outside the twenty metre line and with space in front of him and defenders chasing him he raced towards goal for games first green flag.

Jack Bergin kept Golden/Kilfeacle in touch with two pointed frees however Dawson was keeping the Sean Treacys scoreboard ticking over. His second point from play in the twentieth minute gave Sean Treacys a four point advantage, 1-4 to 0-3.

Then Tom O’Dwyer’s effort looked to be heading into the goalies hand before Stevie Carr got a vital touch to deflect it away and kick the sliotar to the net. It was a huge blow to Golden/Kilfeacle.

Tom O’Dwyer who had a big influence, got his name on the score sheet before Seamus Carey added a second. Mikey Bergin had a late point for Golden/Kilfeacle but it was Sean Treacys who led 2-7 to 0-5 at the break.

The second half never really came alive with the eventual winners always in control. Golden/Kilfeacle did come more into the game but could never get a goal that may have kickstarted a comeback. Donnacha O’Brien extended the advantage in the third minute. However, Sam Hall responded with two points.

A Jack Bergin free in the tenth minute brought the difference back to seven. Three minutes later at the opposite end James O’Connell denied Jayden Healey a third Sean Treacys goal. Wing back Christy Egan extended Sean Treacys lead at the end of third quarter but they managed just two points after this similar to Golden/Kilfeacle.

At the railway end Sean Malone denied Jack Bergin a goal chance with Jack Dalton pointing the resulting sixty-five. Substitute Conor Nolan almost found a third goal  but he was again denied by James O’Connell. The final quarter petered out to an inevitable conclusion as Sean Treacys led by Tom Hickey in defence saw the game out.

Following the game the Sean Breen Cup was presented to Sean Treacys captain Donnacha O’Brien by West Board Chairman Tommy Hayes and Sponsor Maria Marron from Palmers Hill Stud.

It was Sean Treacys first title in the competition going one better than their only previous appearance in 2017.

Scorers and Teams:
Sean Treacys: Patrick Dawson (1-6, (0-4f)), Stevie Carr 1-0), Seamus Carey (0-2), Tom O’Dwyer (0-1), Donnacha O’Brien (0-1), Jayden Healey (0-1), Christy Egan (0-1)

Golden/Kilfeacle: Jack Bergin (0-5f), Sam Hall (0-2), Mikey Bergin (0-1), Jack Dalton (0-1(65)), Christopher Ryan (0-1)

Sean Treacys: Sean Malone, Philip Treacy, Andy O’Brien, Brendan O’Dwyer, Christy Egan, Tom Hickey, Mike Hayes, Shane Fahy, Tom O’Dwyer, Colm Ryan, Stevie Carr, Donnacha O’Brien (Captain), Patrick Dawson, Seamus Carey, Jayden Healy
Sub used; Conor Nolan, Stephen Rochford, James Deegan, Ronan Carr, Ian Fahy, Shane Stapleton, Dylan Fahy

Golden/Kilfeacle: James O’Connell, Sean O’Connell, Aidan Tuohy, Colin Tuohy, Ronan Hayes,  Jason Morey, Jack Dalton, Mikey Bergin, Christopher Ryan, James McLoughlin, Jack Bergin, Eanna Ormond, Sam Hall, Lee Hayes, Daniel Currivan
Subs Used: Daniel Quealy, Tyler Barry, David Thompson

Referee: John McCormack (Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams)