Carnew Emmets Retain Wicklow Senior Hurling Crown With Three-Point Win Over Glenealy

Carnew land back-to-back titles for the first time since 1981 as Padraig Doran is named Player of the Match

Carnew Emmets have won back-to-back Wicklow Senior Hurling Championships for the first time since completing a four-in-a-row in 1981, holding off Glenealy by 0-15 to 0-12 in a tightly contested final at Echelon Park in Aughrim.

Glenealy matched the holders for much of a tense opening half, with Eoin Kavanagh scoring for Carnew and Michael Óg O'Neill pointing frees at the other end.

Carnew had a slight breeze at their backs, and the best score of the half came from a Tommy Collins run. He weaved through the Glenealy defence before setting up Dan Redmond for a point that drew a roar from the Carnew supporters.

The second half was just as fraught. Padraig Doran, man of the Match, led from the front with four points from placed balls, and his accuracy proved crucial as the result hung in the balance.

Glenealy pushed hard for a goal that could have turned the game, but none came, and Carnew's experience from last year's win showed in the closing stages.

Glenealy were reduced to 14 men with two minutes left after a late red card, and Carnew held on to claim their 21st senior title.

There was a special moment at the final whistle as injured captain and club stalwart Martin O'Brien lifted the O'Donoghue Cup for the third time in his 16-year career.

Carnew Emmets: Robert Fitzgerald; Cormac Redmond, Conall McCrea, Conor Byrne, Rian Rooney, Padraig Doran 0-4 (4f), Rory Stokes; Tommy Collins, Aaron Kinsella; Ken Cullen 0-2 (2f), Wayne Kinsella 0-2, Daniel Redmond 0-1, Fionn D'Arcy 0-1, Eoin Kavanagh 0-4, Tom Brennan 0-1.

Subs used: Paudie McGing for Kinsella (43), John Doyle for Brennan (55), Jack Doyle for Kavanagh (59).

Glenealy: Joey Driver; Andrew Lynch, Matthew Traynor, Ronan Manley, TJ O'Neill, Gary Byrne, Cian O'Neill; James Byrne, Sam O'Dowd 0-1; Alex O'Dowd 0-1, Danny Staunton 0-1, Warren Kavanagh, Alan Driver, Gavin Weir 0-1 (1f), Michael Óg O'Neill 0-7 (6f).

Subs used: Gary Hughes 0-1 for A. O'Dowd (40), Jonathan O'Neill for Driver (45), Lorcan Byrne for S. O'Dowd (51), Cormac Byrne for Weir (55).

Referee: Christopher Canavan (Avoca)

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