Lisdowney were crowned Junior F Hurling Championship winners after a hard-fought five-point victory over Mullinavat at UPMC Nolan Park on Sunday

A strong first-half performance laid the foundations for Lisdowney, who led by six points at the interval, 1-13 to 1-07. Mullinavat battled gamely after the break and reduced the deficit at stages, but Lisdowney maintained their composure to secure the silverware on a 1-18 to 1-13 scoreline.

Lisdowney made the brighter start, with Eoin Delahunty and Peter O'Sullivan putting early points on the board. O'Sullivan was particularly influential from placed balls, converting seven frees over the course of the game.

Mullinavat responded through Stephen Law and Jack Power, but Lisdowney continued to find scores. Ray FitzPatrick and Paddy Bowden added to their tally before Mullinavat produced their first major breakthrough.

Law struck for Mullinavat's goal in the 12th minute, giving his side a boost and helping them establish a foothold in the contest. Law was Mullinavat's outstanding scorer throughout, finishing with 1-07, including four frees and a 65.

Billy Delahunty and Jack Power added further points as Mullinavat looked to keep pace, but Lisdowney remained clinical at the other end.

The decisive moment of the first half came in the 26th minute when Paddy Bowden found the net for Lisdowney. That goal restored their advantage and helped them pull clear heading into the interval.

O'Sullivan continued to punish Mullinavat from frees, while points from Eoin Delahunty and Billy Grogan ensured Lisdowney maintained control. At half-time, Lisdowney held a 1-13 to 1-07 lead.

Mullinavat came out fighting after the restart. Cormac McEvoy opened their second-half scoring from a free, before Jack Power and Stephen Law added further points. Law's accuracy from placed balls kept Mullinavat within touching distance.

Lisdowney, however, refused to surrender their advantage. Robert McEvoy, Jamie Bergin and Eddie Hickey all found the target in the second half, with Robert McEvoy contributing two important points.

With Mullinavat continuing to press, Law added scores in the 57th, 60th and 61st minutes, including a fine 65, but Lisdowney had done enough to stay ahead.

Eddie Hickey's point in the 62nd minute proved to be Lisdowney's final score of the afternoon and effectively sealed the outcome. When the final whistle sounded, Lisdowney had completed a 1-18 to 1-13 victory and could celebrate championship success.

For Mullinavat, Law's 1-07 was the standout individual contribution, with Jack Power also making a significant impact with four points. Lisdowney's scoring was more evenly spread, although O'Sullivan's eight points, including seven frees, were central to their success.

In a final where both sides battled throughout, Lisdowney's greater scoring output and six-point half-time cushion ultimately proved decisive.

 

Final score: Mullinavat 1-13, Lisdowney 1-18.

 

1. Niall Grogan, 2. Jimmy Lennon, 3. Brian Campion (C), 4. Paddy Kennedy,  22. Peter O’Sullivan, 6. Eddie Connery, 7. Anthony O’Hara, 8. Conor O’Gorman, 9. Charlie Kennedy, 10. Jamie Bergin, 11. Ray FitzPatrick, 12. Billy Grogan, 13. James Leahy, 14. Eoin Delahunty, 15. Paddy Bowden, 17. Paul Murphy, 18. Sean Stapleton for Billy Grogan (39 mins), 19. Padraig Bergin, 20. Jimmy Delaney, 21. Tadhg Bergin, 23. Eddie Hickey for James Leahy (32 mins), 24. Robert McEvoy for Conor O’Gorman (30 mins), 25. Paul Bergin, 26. JP Judge, 27. Ciaran Mackey, 28. John O’Loughlin, 5. Niall O’Hara (inj)

Management: John Bergin, Lee McCann, Dean McCann

Scorers: Lisdowney-Peter O'Sullivan 0-08 (7 frees), Paddy Bowden 1-01, Eoin Delahunty 0-02, Ray FitzPatrick 0-02, Robert McEvoy 0-02, Billy Grogan 0-01, Jamie Bergin 0-01, Eddie Hickey 0-01.

 

Mullinavat: Stephen Law 1-07 (4 frees, 1 65), Jack Power 0-04, Billy Delahunty 0-01, Cormac McEvoy 0-01 (free).