Free-scoring Freshford blitz Russell Rovers to claim All-Ireland glory
St Lachtain's 1-18 Russell Rovers (Cork) 0-16
The All-Ireland Junior Hurling Championship title is on it's way back to Kilkenny once again after St Lachtain's produced a polished all-round display to see off Cork's Russell Rovers in Croke Park.
The five point success that saw the Freshford men get all but three points from play is the 11th time that a Kilkenny side has clinched the silverware at this grade and they were hugely deserving winners.
Shane Donnelly got the only goal in the opening half and it gave Steven Farrell's an advantage that they held on to until the final whistle.
All six starting Freshford forwards as well as the two midfielders and two defenders all scored from play and it was that attacking threat which set them apart as they added to the All-Ireland Intermediate crown that they won in 2010.
It was a tight start to the game and St Lachtain's only started to get on top in the second quarter with Shane Donnelly's goal in the 23rd minute proving crucial as they went into the dressing room with a 1-7 to 0-7 lead.
Luke Duggan Murray had a shot deflected wide off Criomthann Bergin at the start of the second half for Russell Rovers and with Darren Brennan also producing a big save from Brian Hartnett, they were two big opportunities for the side from the Rebel County.
Freshford then began to move up a few gears and when Liam Hickey knocked over a sideline cut on the back of Shane Donnelly and Cathal Hickey scoring from range, the tie looked to be moving in the Kilkenny side's direction.
James Maher and Alexander Rafter then added to the Lachtain's tally as they moved seven clear inside the final 10 minutes of play (1-16 to 0-12).
The Kilkenny side lost their way a bit then and four Russell Rovers scores on the bounce left just a puck of the ball between the teams heading into stoppage time.
Freshford weren't about to let the lead slip though and with one of the 2010 survivors John Fitzpatrick pointing off the bench and Darren Brennan nailing a long distance free, the title was safely in St Lachtain's hands as they ran out 1-18 to 0-16 victors.
Teams and Scorers
St Lachtain's: Shane Donnelly (1-1); Liam Hickey (0-3, 0-1 free); Alexander Rafter (0-3); Cathal Hickey, James Maher (0-2 each); Darren Brennan (0-1, 0-1 free); Brian Kennedy, Brendan Quinn, Mark Donnelly, Paddy Killeen, Cathal O'Leary, John Fitzpatrick (0-1 each)
Russell Rovers: Josh Beausang (0-8, 0-6 frees and 0-1 65); Luke Duggan Murray (0-2); Ciaran Sheehan, Kevin Moynihan, Fintan Murray, James Kennefick, Jack McGrath, Mark O'Dwyer (0-1 each)
St Lachtain's: Darren Brennan; Shane Dawson, Criomhthann Bergin, Simon Rafter; Padraig Donnelly, Brian Kennedy, Cathal Hickey; Brendan Quinn, Mark Donnelly; Alexander Rafter, Paddy Killeen, Liam Hickey; Shane Donnelly, Cathal O'Leary, James Maher.
Subs: Darragh Maher for O'Leary, 51 mins; John Fitzpatrick for J.Maher, 53 mins; Cian Dawson for S.Donnelly, 56 mins; Jerry Bergin for A.Rafter, 62 mins.
Russell Rovers: Ross Walsh; Kevin Tattan, Paul Lane, James Kennefick; Fintan Murray, Eoghan O'Sullivan, Pierce Cummins; Kieran Walsh, Ruairi Cummins; Brian Harnett, Kevin Moynihan, Dan Ruddy; Luke Duggan Murray, Ciaran Sheehan, Josh Beausang.
Subs: Mark O'Dwyer for Lane, 28 mins; Jack McGrath for Ruddy, h-t; Kevin O'Brien for Moynihan, 56 mins.
Referee: Peter Owens (Down)