Offaly 1-21 Wexford 0-22
Adam Screeney put on an exhibition of shooting as Offaly held off Wexford to win the Leinster under-20 hurling final by two points.
The Kilcormac Killoughey sensation scored 1-12, from all ranges and angles, as he helped the Faithful overcome Charlie Mitchell’s second half dismissal to edge what was a gripping encounter.
Remember the name.
Screeney was poster-boy as Offaly blitzed their way to last year’s All-Ireland minor hurling final, where they were cruelly beaten by Tipperary. But there was to be no such heartbreak here.
The feeling is that an All-Ireland medal is this team’s destiny now, and they will have a chance to achieve it in two weeks time, when they take on Cork in the final.
But let’s deal with there here and now first, as Offaly won their first under-20/21 title since 2000.
Adam Screeney is class. Best minor hurler in Ireland last year, probably the best U20 this year. Giving an exhibition for Offaly #Offaly #Wexford pic.twitter.com/YLsAbpJdvj
— Stephen Gleeson (@StephenGleeson_) May 17, 2023
https://twitter.com/Gaa_editz/status/1658908556748365825
As he was surrounded by selfie-seeking kids almost instantly on the full-time whistle, it was clear there and then that the small and skinny corner forward is the man of the moment.
He may only be a whippet when compared to his muscly and bustling team-mates and opponents, but his hurling has elevated to such incredible levels that he’s out on his own.
Two of his points, one off the left and one off the right – both from the sideline and not too far from the endline – were scored with the style of a hurler who’s on another level.
His goal was was very impressive too – as was his interview, which shows, as important as anything else, that there’s a wise head on those slight young shoulders.
“We’re a young group,” said the Laoch na hImeartha on TG4.
“And while you can wait a year, wait two years, we said instead that you, never know, you’re not guaranteed a spot in a Leinster final any year.
“We knew if we put our shoulder to the wheel, that we’d he here again.
“It was heartbreak at the time and heartbreak for months after (that minor final loss)
“But we got our acts back together and the loss has nearly benefited us more than if we won. You can see what it means to the Offaly people. We’re hoping to bring Offaly back to the top table, where we belong.”
"We knew if we trained hard that we would be here again and thank god we came through" 💪
Comhghairdeas le Adam Screeney Laoch na hImeartha inniu agus é tuilte go maith aige 🏆@KK_GAA @Offaly_GAA@gaaleinster @ElectricIreland#GAABEO pic.twitter.com/BA0kS966Kz
— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) May 17, 2023
Two very happy Offaly men here in Rochester. Great win for our @Offaly_GAA under 20s this evening and great to see a bit of silverware heading for Offaly again 🟢⚪️🟡 pic.twitter.com/31XndpGnwc
— Shane Lowry (@ShaneLowryGolf) May 17, 2023
They’re certainly going the right way about it.
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