Warwickshire captain Donncha Kennedy lifts the Lory Meagher Cup.
Lory Meagher Cup Final
WARWICKSHIRE 0-17 LEITRIM 0-11
By William Dunne at Croke Park
Warwickshire claimed their second Lory Meagher Cup title since 2013.
Leitrim made it difficult in the first-half for favourites Warwickshire, who took control after the restart.
Early on Leitrim’s Padraig O’Donnell and Exiles’ Liam Watson traded frees before Cathal O’Donovan caught a high ball and provided a superb score to put Leitrim ahead.
Liam Watson, who scored 5-27 in Warwickshire’s opening four group games was well marshalled by David Carton during an exciting dual.
Watson struck six opening period points from frees for Warwickshire. But a strong end to the half from Leitrim saw them go in at the break 0-10 to 0-8 ahead.
Liam Watson scored 11 points for Warwickshire at Croke Park.
In the second half Warwickshire seized control as Leitrim didn't score again until stoppage time. Four Watson frees opened the scoring when the action recommenced.
Watson effortlessly kept the scoreboard ticking with Paul Uniacke, Ian Dwyer, and substitute Colm McBride contributing towards the end.
O’Donnell’s consolation point ended the scoring as Warwickshire carved out a deserved victory.
Scorers for Warwickshire: Liam Watson 0-11(11fs), Shane Caulfield 0-2, Donnacha Kennedy, Paul Uniacke, Ian Dwyer, Colm McBride 0-1 each.
Scorers for Leitrim: Padraig O’Donnell 0-6(6fs), Cathal O’Donovan 0-2, Zak Moradi, James Glancy, and Colm Moreton 0-1 each.
WARWICKSHIRE: Michael Cremin; Thomas kelly, Dean Bruen, Michael O’Regan; John Collins, William Allen, Donnacha Kennedy; Kieran Boxwell, Paul Uniacke; Shane Caulfield, Conor Robbins, Ian Dwyer; Emmet McCabe, Liam Watson, Kelvin Magee.
Subs: Colm McBride for McCabe (52), Sean Hennessy for Magee (68), Joseph Meagher for Boxwell (70), Padraic Crehan for Dwyer (72), Chris Convery for Uniacke (73).
**LEITRIM: **Declan Molloy; Kevin McGrath, David Carton, Vincent McDermott; Enda Moreton, Conor Byrne, Clement Cunniffe; Liam Moreton, James Glancy; Cathal O’Donovan, Colm Moreton, David McGovern; Karl McDermott, Padraig O’Donnell, Zak Moradi.
Subs: Morgan Quinn for McDermott (50), Gavin O’Hagan for L Moreton (53).
REFEREE: James Connors (Donegal)
