2025 AIB Ulster Club Junior Hurling Championship Final
Burt 0-20
Lavey 1-16
(After extra-time)
Burt secured a dramatic victory over Lavey in a thrilling AIB Ulster Club Junior Hurling final at Celtic Park, despite being reduced to 14 men.
Substitute Fiachra Gill sealed the win with a last-minute point from the sideline in the final moments of extra time.
The standout performer for Burt was Conor Gartland, who delivered three remarkable long-range points from 85 metres in the second half, keeping his team in the contest after they trailed 1-7 to 0-5 at halftime. His efforts proved vital as Burt rallied following the dismissal of Ronan McDermott, who was shown a straight red card just before the break.
Despite being a man down, Burt dominated much of the second half. Liam McKinney kept their hopes alive, forcing extra time with a clutch free in the dying moments of regular play. The game had been cagey early on, with Burt registering four wides before Lavey’s Fintan Bradley opened the scoring. McDermott and Gartland responded with points for Burt, but Lavey struck a crucial early blow when Ryan Mulholland netted the only goal of the game.
By the tenth minute, Lavey led 1-4 to 0-1, helped by scores from Bradley and Melaugh. Burt worked hard to close the gap, but Lavey continued to edge ahead, leading 1-7 to 0-4 before McKinney and Gartland trimmed the deficit. McDermott’s red card just before the break seemed to put Burt in further trouble.
However, Burt’s experience shone through. Gartland launched a comeback with a huge free, followed by more long-range points as he inspired his teammates. McKinney also continued to score, and the sides traded points as the clock wound down. Bradley looked to have won it for Lavey late on, but McKinney’s sideline free ensured extra time at 0-15 to 1-12.
Extra time was tense and physically draining, with players from both sides suffering from cramps. Bradley and McKinney continued their respective scoring battles, but Lavey’s growing tally of wides proved costly. Eventually, Gill’s superb strike from the sideline sealed a famous win for the Donegal men.
