Russell Rovers are into the All-Ireland junior hurling final after a 2-21 to 1-9 win over Derry side Ballinascreen thanks to an early dismissal just two minutes into the game.
The Ulster champions, who swept past East Cavan Gaels a month ago, were hit by a blow straight from the get-go. Luke Duggan Murray scored directly from the throw-in which could have easily been a goal and just one minute later, goalkeeper Aodhan McCallion was sent to the sideline with a straight red after a clash with Brian Harnett.
How on earth is this a sending off? Especially two minutes into an All Ireland Semi-Final? pic.twitter.com/GKE1xeCUfQ
— Ruairi O'Cathain (@RoryOKane_Raz_) December 14, 2024
The former Midleton hurler fouled the number one while pursuing a long delivery, which resulted in Harnett fouling the shot-stopper. However, McCallion who is also known as Pup wasn’t content with the free and decided to give the forward a nudge. Referee Caymon Flynn flashed a straight red after consulting with his umpires.
A key cog to Russell Rovers recent success is Sunday Game and former All-Ireland winning goalkeeper Dónal Óg Cusack, who joined as coach this year.
The former shot-stopper won the Premier 2 U16 Hurling Championship with the Cloyne and Russell Rovers underage amalgamation – St Colman’s, beating Mallow in the decider.
He also guided the team to their first Premier 2 Minor HC title in 2015 and has played a significant role in the development of players, including Josh Beausang, who he now works with at Russell Rovers.
This isn’t Cusack’s first experience on the management scene. He operated as a player-coach with Cloyne when they made it to three Senior Hurling Championship finals in a row from 2004 to 2006. He then took his first step into inter-county coaching as a part of the Clare senior hurlers. He eventually became the Cork minor hurling team for the 2020 season, losing to Limerick 2-19 to 0-13 in the Munster semi-final.
Dónal Óg also operated as a player-coach with Cloyne when they made it to three Senior Hurling Championship finals from 2004 to 2006.
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Another member added to the Cork side is Ciarán Sheehan, an All-Ireland football winner with Cork in 2010. Sheehan had also won silverware with his native Éire Óg and played Australian rules football with Carlton, but his marriage to Amy brought him east.
That transfer proved vital for his adopted club as he scored a goal in the Premier junior hurling final this year against last year’s Munster champions and All-Ireland runners-up St Catherine’s
Russell Rovers will now play either Sligo and former All-Ireland finalists Easkey or Kilkenny side St Lanchtains, which includes inter-county sub-keeper for the Cats Darren Brennan in Croke Park in the New Year.
