O'Hanrahans from Carlow Town bridged a 38-year gap when they shocked reigning Carlow and Leinster football champions Eire Og at Dr Cullen Park, Carlow, yesterday.
O'Hanrahans young side showed a fierce hunger for victory to fashion a fully merited win.
Mark Carpenter netted for O'Hanrahans after eight minutes, but it was was quickly cancelled out by a superb opportunist goal for Eire Og from Anthony Keating.
In the 15th minute, Anthony Kavanagh scored O'Hanrahans's second goal as they led 2-6 to 1-6 at the interval.
Eire Og re-started in control, scoring two quick points and another teasing goal to retake the lead. But O'Hanrahans were not to be denied and they hit back with a succession of points to go in front at a crucial stage. Eire Og's Colm `Rooster' Hayden saw had a great chance of a goal; but his fierce drive from 20 metres rise high over the bar and O'Hanrahans held on.
for their 12th senior football championship crown and They will now meet Sarsfields of Kildare in their first ever appearance in the Leinster club championship.
O'HANRAHANS: J Brennan; D Walker, A Corden, B English; B Hannon, N English (0-1), K Kavanagh; P Nolan, K Walker; G Walker (0-1), P Kavanagh (0-3), M Carpenter (1-1); D Bermingham (0-2), A Kavanagh (1-2), B Walker (0-2).
EIRE OG: J Kearns; A Callinan, A Corcoran, J Dooley; B Hayden, G Ware, K Haughney; P Doyle, P Kingston (0-1); B Carbery (0-1), J Morrissey (0-1), B Hennessy; J Murphy, C Hayden (0-3), A Keating(2-4). Subs: W Quinlan for Haughney; J Hayden for Doyle; H Brennan for Ware.
Referee: J Conway (Laoise)
