Easkey 0-18 Kilbrittain 0-19

Rory McHugh of Easkey in action against Bertie Butler of Kilbrittain during the AIB GAA Hurling All-Ireland Junior Club Championship final match between Easkey of Sligo and Kilbrittain of Cork at Croke Park in Dublin. Picture: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Rory McHugh of Easkey in action against Bertie Butler of Kilbrittain during the AIB GAA Hurling All-Ireland Junior Club Championship final match between Easkey of Sligo and Kilbrittain of Cork at Croke Park in Dublin. Picture: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Heroic Easkey were hit hard by fickle fate as they lost their talisman Andy Kilcullen to a disputed red card 40 minutes into this pulsating affair at an icy Croke Park, in what was a heartbreaking All Ireland Junior Hurling final defeat to Kilbrittain of Cork.

Kilcullen’s departure was like an arrow through the heart of the gallant Sea Blues, but who could and should have taken the title in his immeasurable absence.