JP Ryans make history by winning the 2019 NAGAA Senior Hurling Championship!
After coming close in previous years, most recently losing the 2018 Senior Hurling final. JP Ryans were up against it from the start with a semi-final fixture against the Boston Champions. After a game that was score for score, in the end, JP Ryans won by 1 point to see them through to the Senior Final against the San Fran Champions, Na Fianna.
2019 was the year where JP Ryans had to learn to steady the ship, and battle through storms to get victories! With the lessons taken from each of the games against Cu Chulainn in the Vancouver Championship, to the semi-final victory the day before, it was no different as Na Fianna looked to put the game away as soon as possible. In the end Na Fianna hit JP Ryans for 5 goals.
But this was a testament to keeping the scoreboard ticking over. Point after point, JP Ryans saw the white flag raised. Seanie Corrigan on frees was as always consistent, and his partnership in the full forward line with Aidan Baird proved as fruitful as ever. With Mark Cummins and Brendan O’Leary a constant threat from out the field, JP Ryans made up the difference, clawing back each goal, and the game ended in a tie. Extra time it was.
Much like normal time, it was score for score. In the end, with each of JP Ryans forwards and midfield finding the target, it was our range of scoring that proved the difference. JP Ryans took the lead in extra time through a Brendan O’Leary goal. Paul Nolan, as he did throughout the game fielded a ball in the backs, played it up the wing to Aidan Baird, who turned his man on the halfway line and headed towards goal. With the defenders moving towards Baird, he popped a hand pass to O’Leary, who rattled the net from 21 yards.
Na Fianna would level the game, both sides now trying to find a winner, with extra time coming to an end, the ball made its way out to the wing for JP Ryans. Substitute Conor McNeely found himself in space on the 45. The Donegal man split the posts and JP Ryans led by a point. JP Ryans won the resulting puck out, and the final whistle was blown.
North American Senior Hurling Final winners for the first time in our History.
JP Ryans 1-33 (36) Na Fianna 5-20 (35)
Team: Philip Murphy (Dublin), Paddy Moynihan (Cork), Cillian Ryan (Clare), Robert Dunphy (Kilkenny),Paul Nolan (Wexford), Stephan Dalton (Waterford), Mark Cummins (Waterford), Darragh Murphy, Brendan O’Leary (Kerry), Scott Feenane (Offaly), Billy Lane (Galway), Aidan Baird (Dublin), Sean Corrigan (Fermanagh)
Subs: Oisin Doyle (Wicklow), Conor McNeely (Donegal), Kev O’Shea (Limerick), Rob Mawe (Cork)
