Rathgarogue-Cushinstown (Wexford) 0-13

Clann na nGael (Meath) 0-12

(After extra time)

Rathgarogue-Cushinstown became the first Wexford side to claim the Leinster Club junior championship when fending off Clann na nGael (Meath) at Pairc Tailteann on Saturday afternoon. 
Two scores in the first period of extra time ultimately decided the contest with team captain Matthew Cody notching the score that sustained them to the finish. To view photos from this game click here.

Overall, it was centre-half-forward Daire Bolger's six points that placed a sizable deposit on a historic outcome for the county and the very well supported Rathgarogue-Cushinstown.

James Bolger's charges were worthy recipients of the Sean Eiffe Cup, that honours a brave Ratoath and Meath-man.

Scores were seven times in the first hour. However, Jason Dunne's point in the second minute of extra time set the Wexford-men on their way. They were never caught thereafter.

"Cushinstown Cushinstown" rang out from the left side of the stand at the Navan venue as the Wexford side dug out a memorable win.

Playing towards the town goal in the first-half, Clann na nGael had the ever-strengthening elements at their backs. The Athboy-Rathcairn side moved three points clear inside eight minutes.

Despite midfielder Daniel Martin Carroll picking up an injury that eventually forced him off, Rathgarogue-Cushinstown crept into the game gaining parity for the first time around the mid-point of the half with three points in quick succession.

Team captain Matthew Cody got the sequence going. However, Clann na nGael were back in front in the 19th minute when goalkeeper Eoin O Griofa landed a close range left-footed free, 0-4 to 0-3.

The scores were tied twice more in the first-half with Rathgarogue's sub Aaron Ryan leveling matters for the third time in the 28th minute. The Wexford-men hit the front for the first time when Daire Bolger sent over a free at the old swimming pool end.

Then, in stoppage the Clann na nGael 'keeper Eoin O Griofa landed his second free of the half to make it 0-7-each at the break. The fourth time the scores were tied in the half.

With the wind behind them it seemed like the Wexford-men might kick-on from the restart. With Daire Bolger leading the charge they posted three points within eight minutes of resumption.

To their credit Clann na nGael did not yield. Two pointed frees from full-back Jack Doherty had the scores tied for the sixth time by the 54th minute. Seconds earlier a finger-tip save, at the expense of a 45 that yielded nothing, by Eoin O Griofa from Robert Murphy kept the Meath-men in the game.

Rathgarogue-Cushinstown captain Matthew Cody raises the Leinster JFC CUp at Pairc Tailteann

Bolger (free) regained the lead for Rathgarogue but a nail-biting finale saw the scores tied for the seventh time thanks to O Griofa (frees). Clann na nGael had two late chances to win. However, a Cian Swain effort dropped short while a Doherty free was well left and wide.

With their legion of fans urging them on, the visitors showed best in the first-half of extra time posting two points against the wind, Jason Dunne and team captain Matthew Cody registered.

A couple of Clann na nGael efforts dropped short while an O Griofa free was wide in the last action of the half. The men from the south-east were 0-13 to 0-11 ahead at the break in extra-time.

A gripping finale yielded just one more score, an Eoin O Griofa free, as both sides passed up chances to add to their tally.

Rathgarogue-Cushinstown - Nicky Sinnott; Paidi McGrath, Peader Cody, Patrick Murphy; Brian O'Neill, Eoin Porter, Bryan Cody (0-1); Daniel Martin Carroll, Matthew Cody (C) (0-2); Bernard Furlong, Daire Bolger (0-6 5fs), Tadhg Cody (0-1); Eric Cummins, Robert Murphy (0-1), Jason Dunne (0-1). Subs - Aaron Ryan (0-1) for DM Carroll (18), Ollie Bolger for R Murphy (49), Mark Power for P Cody (bc 59). Subs in extra time - Luke O'Connor for E Cummins (75), Paddy Barron for Dunne (78), Jonathan Kelly for Ryan (80 + 2).

Clann na nGael - Eoin O Griofa (0-4 fs); Rory Tuite, Jack Doherty (0-2 fs), Carl Kelly; Conor Fenton (0-1), Diarmaid O Donnchadha, Ryan McNamee; Daragh Griffin (0-1), Cian Swaine (0-3 fs); Tommy Hanley, Phillip Garry, Eamon O Donnchadha; Paul Tuite (0-1), Coilin Griffin, Thomas Doyle. Subs - Darragh Swaine for Doyle (33), Christopher Uchchenna for Hanley (51). Subs in extra time -  Michael Coffey for C Griffin (64), Michael Priest for Tuite (78), Aaron Ennis for McNamee (80).

Referee - David Fedigan (Louth).

Great day for ⁦@RathCushGAA⁩ Leinster Club JFC Champions ⁦@AIB_GAA⁩ ⁦@OfficialWexGAA⁩ pic.twitter.com/xjMedNMP3W

— Leinster GAA (@gaaleinster) December 7, 2019

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