KINSALE claimed the Declan O’Neill Furniture and Carpentry South East Junior A Hurling Championship Title for the first time since 2007, when they overcame a slow start to defeat the strong challenge of Shamrocks in an eventful final, that was played Sunday afternoon in Ballygarvan.

Shamrocks, wind assisted, hit five unanswered points in the opening seven minutes, and when Sean Andrews goaled for them in the 11th minute, they looked like they might run away with the game.

But gradually, Kinsale got into the game. Aided by strong performances from Niall McCarthy, Brian Coughlan, Gearoid Finn, Timmy Broderick and John O’Brien, they grasped the inactive, and aided by a Eamonn Dunne goal in the 27th minute, the sides were level at the interval.

Kinsale’s James Rooney atempts to break away from Shamrocks Nathan Hayes during the South East JAHC final in Ballygarvan. Picture: Howard Crowdy

Kinsale really upped their performance and 15 second half points had them seven points ahead as the game entered stoppage time before a couple of late Shamrocks goals gave the winners a scare, but they ran out of time, and Kinsale held on for a deserved win.

Points from Andrew O’Grady (3) John Boylan and Sean Andrews had Shamrocks 0-5 ahead after 7 minutes, before Brian Coughlan had Kinsale’s opening score in the 8th minute.

The impressive O’Brian, who hit 0-11 and won the man of the match award had his sides second score, but they were rocked when Sean Andrews goaled for Shamrocks 11th minute.

Kinsale responded impressively and hit six of the next nine points before a Coughlan delivery wasn’t controlled by the Shamrocks keeper, and Eamonn Dunne bundled the ball into the net to tie the match.

O’Brien put Kinsale ahead on the stroke of half-time with a good point from the wing, but an equally good point from Harry Andrews saw the sides level 1-9 each at half-time.

Kinsale started the second-half the better. Coughlan (3), O’Brien (2) and Tim Broderick all had points, with O’Grady (2) and Sean Andrews replying for Shamrocks as Kinsale led 1-15 to 1-12 after 45 minutes, before the impressive David Andrews set up O’Grady for a stunning goal in the 47th minute to leave the sides level again.

Shamrocks David Andrrews about to clear the sliothar upfield as Kinsale’s Gearoid Finn looks on during the South East JAHC final in Ballygarvan. Picture: Howard Crowdy

However, Kinsale hit seven unanswered points from O’Brien (3), Broderick, subs Michael Murphy (2) and Kevin Roche to lead 1-22 to 2-12 as the final whistle approached. However, Shamrocks refused to die and were rewarded with goals from Sean Andrews, and his brother Harry, direct from a 60 metre free that went all the way to the net, but Kinsale held on.

Scorers for Kinsale: J O’Brien 0-11 (5f), B Coughlan 0-6 (4f), E Dunne 1-0, T Broderick 0-2, M Murphy 0-2, K Roche 0-1.

Shamrocks: A O’Grady 1-6 (5f, 1 65), S Andrews 2-2, H Andrews 1-1, D Andrews 0-2, J Boylan 0-1.

KINSALE: D Shorthall; R O’Regan, D Coughlan, K O’Connor; C McCarthy, N McCarthy, J Rooney; B Coughlan, G Finn; J O’Brien, C Lane, T Broderick; S O’Brien, E Dunne, B O’Neill.

Subs: M Murphy for J Rooney (38), K Roche for E Dunne (46), W O’Hea for K O’Connor (48), G O’Leary for S O’Brien (59).

SHAMROCKS: S Keane; S Kelleher, C Kidney, C O’Grady; B Mulqueen, M Hitchmore, S Collins; D Andrews, N Hayes; S Andrews, A O’Grady, R Twomey; H Andrews, J Boylan, D Kennedy.

Sub: C O’Neill for D Kidney (56).

Referee: Fionn Ó Murchú (Valley Rovers).