Defeat For Cuala In Leinster Decider
Oulart-the-Ballagh 2-13
Cuala 0-13
Derek Ryan at Netwatch Cullen Park
Cuala's bid for a first Leinster hurling crown ended in big disappointment in Carlow this afternoon, as they fell to defeat in the AIB Leinster final at Netwatch Cullen Park.
Oulart the Ballagh claimed their first ever Leinster crown at the seventh time of asking, as they handled a very strong wind the better to run out 6 point winners.
Cuala faced the might of Storm Clodagh in the opening half an hour, and trailed by 1-7 to 2 points at the break.
The tough conditions saw Con O’Callaghan and David Treacy hit the only two points for Cuala in the opening half.
Tommy Storey hit 3 points for Oulart in the first half, but it appeared as if they may regret some missed goal chances- Nicky Kirwan shot wide when clean through for Oulart after 20 minutes.
However they did hit the net just before the break, slicing through the Cuala defence before Tomas Dunne finished past Sean Brennan to give the Wexford men an 8 point lead at half time.
The winning of this game for Oulart was their strength against the wind in the second half.
Despite facing the strong wind, they started the second period the better side and moved 2-10 to 4 points clear with 18 minutes left, thanks to a scrappy goal from Garrett Sinnott.
That goal left Cuala with a huge mountain to climb- but it sparked them into life.
David Treacy led the charge, with 7 points in that last 18 minutes, added to his 3 points before that, as the Dalkey men looked to close the lead.
And close the lead they did.
It looked as though a tense finish was on the cards when Cuala reduced the gap to 5 points with 7 minutes left.
But they couldn’t get any closer than that, as late scores from Eoin Moore and Nicky Kirwan for Oulart saw them home on a scoreline of 2-13 to 0-13.
It’s Oulart’s first Leinster win, having lost four of the last five finals, while it’s a disappointing end to a fantastic year for Cuala.
Throwback
