Hat-trick hero: Waterford Crystal's Darren Finn clenches his fist after scoring the second of his three goals.    | Photos: Noel Browne

Hat-trick hero: Waterford Crystal's Darren Finn clenches his fist after scoring the second of his three goals. | Photos: Noel Browne

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Darren Finn became one of a rare breed of players to score a hat-trick in a cup final on Wednesday night last in Ozier Park. The star striker may have grabbed all of the headlines but all of the Waterford Crystal players rose to the occasion in magnificent style on the big stage.
Declan Doyle in goal, central defenders Shane Ryan and Ciaran Walsh, midfielders Tadgh McComb and Nathan Phelan, plus strikers Andrew Ryan and of course Finn turned in a superb shift, as indeed did the entire team.
The Villa outfit did have chances, especially during the first half, but they were found wanting in the final third of the field. That said, there is no doubt that the slick-moving Crystal side fully deserved their victory.
See The Munster Express newspaper for full match report.