THERE was grim determination in the air in the high goal final when David Stone’s Pegus team faced Horseware Ireland for the recent Blue Rock Security Cup at Bunclody, Co Wexford.

Tom MacGuinness’ Horseware Ireland team had made a clean sweep of the 2016 season, winning both the national high goal and low goal leagues. For Pegus, David Stone came close in every final but never quite reached the winner’s circle.

Pegus, however, definitely took flight with just one goal in the difference on a final scoreline of four to three from Horseware.

“We’re back!” said David Stone when he accepted the Blue Rock Security Cup. “The last time was three or four years ago. I was out injured so couldn’t play. Siobhan (Herbst) was in for me.”

Lining out with David Stone were sons David J. Stone and Mark Stone. Sean Connolly rounded out the foursome. The team earned their way into the final, beating their oft-times nemesis, Tyrone in the semi-finals on a score of six goals to four.

Along with Tom MacGuinness, Horseware Ireland’s Barry Finnegan and brothers Michael and James Connolly, the luck of the draw was against them. The team had to face both the Barracudas and LHK to secure their slot in the final.

The upsets continued in the low goal league for the Bunclody Cup, Sean Reynolds of RITS coming close over the years but rarely reaching the final. He took James Connolly, Jock Thompson and Eoin Ellis along with him to win against Bunclody, leaving behind Tom MacGuinness’ Revolution, Tu Va/Kildare and Bags & Balls.

Bunclody’s Paddy Casey, Joe Redmond, Kieran Doyle and Stephen Power with a zero-goal handicap should have sailed through their final, however RITS earned eight goals in addition to their half-goal handicap to just three from the host team.

Speaking to the teams just after the finals, tournament host Dori Hogg thanked the 10 teams in total for their participation including five in the high goal league and five in the low.

“I would like to thank everyone for coming, and well done to all the winners. It was a fantastic weekend.”

Revolution won the low goal league subsidiary final which was played in a round-robin on a scoreline of nine goals with eight from Bags & Balls and seven from Tu Va/Kildare.