The Heath 12-11 Limekiln
All-Ireland Senior Mixer Rounders Final
Sunday was a day to savour for The Heath senior mixed rounders team as they claimed their 5th mixed All-Ireland title after beating Limekiln of Dublin in an epic final.
In a game filled with drama, twists and turns, it was a final to be remembered for years to come.
There were great performances all over the field – with The Heath excelling in all areas but without a doubt Donnagh Treacy was the shining light throughout the match and led The Heath to a famous victory.
As the scoreline suggests, The Heath didn’t have it all their own way and Limekiln threw the kitchen sink at the side in black and amber, but The Heath were not to be denied on this occasion.
Limekiln got off to the better start with Laura Eagers and Eddie Healy impressing for the Dublin side and they took the early lead 2-0.
The Heath’s joint captain in Dwayne Keane put in a brilliant performance at pitching throughout, especially early on showing all his experience getting the Dublin side out for nothing in the second innings and The Heath then drew level going into the third inning.
The fielders were to be on top in the third inning with nothing to separate the teams with both teams trading blows, but either team didn’t falter under the pressure cooker that a final brings.
Limekiln then seized the initiative in the fourth inning with some super batting from James Byrne and Healy, with the former getting the last score of the inning to leave the scores at 6-4 going into the fifth innings.
With The Heath behind by two, they knew they needed to get much needed scores on the board and that they did, now the momentum swung the way of the Laois side after a fantastic shot by Donnagh Treacy bringing two home and getting himself to third base.
The fifth inning proved crucial as The Heath scored six and went ahead by four going into the final stages of the game.
In fairness to the Dublin side, they showed a lot of grit and determination throughout the final and responded once again pulling the gap back to two going into the last innings.
This final was on a knife edge, and it was getting tense with both teams knowing any mistakes might be fatal for their chances of landing the title.
Limekiln got it back to the minimum with a draw on the horizon, but The Heath kept calm and were closing in on victory needing one more out before Limekiln drew level.
The final play of the game happened soon after, Limekiln’s Emma Hudson being the unfortunate player hitting it foul to give The Heath victory leading to joyous scenes among players and spectators soon after.
The Heath Panel: Grace Salmon, Dwayne Keane, Tom Moore, Aisling Boyle, Donnagh Treacy, Rory Treacy, Maria Keane, Aaron Keane, Danielle Keane, Jamie Dowling, Philip Keane, Austin O’Meara, Holly Kavanagh, Kurt Courtney, Adam Walshe, Aoife Flynn, Serena Lewis, Louise Delaney, Evelyn Quinn.
SEE ALSO – Councillors fume over proposal to construct 13 180 metre high wind turbines in rural Laois
