Inside Track: Hunterstown’s rally comes up just short

When it seemed Hunterstown Rovers were going to take their leave of the Leinster intermediate club championship with a whimper, they reached deep to come up with a finish that only the most imaginative of scriptwriters could have penned.

Unfortunately for them, it wasn’t enough to win a place in the final. Their match with Tubberclair at Stabannon had an abundance of scores, the majority of which fell to the Westmeath champions. It ended 4-16 to 4-12.

READ NEXT: Inside Track: Patsy reacquaints with trophy he was presented with 68 years ago

Tubberclair were coasting, eight points to the good, with the finish-line in clear view. Ryan Burns had no alternative but to go for a two-pointer after Rovers had been awarded a free. He nailed it, but no-one saw the score as anything more than a consolation score.

Wrong. It was the kick-start to a comeback that saw Rovers draw level. A scrambled goal was followed by another from Burns, and at this stage, it seemed the game was going to go to extra-time.

The kick-out which followed Burns’ goal was crucial. Tubberclair won it and immediately set up an attack. It attempting a shot, one of the visiting side’s players was foot-blocked. A penalty.

This will be tapped over, most at the well-attended venue thought. The game at this stage was well into time added on. But no, the Tubberclair player went for the goal and was awarded. Another point was added to the winners’ tally to put four between the sides.

A brave effort by Rovers in their bid to become the fifth Louth club to contest the final.