Nenagh humbled by impressive Clonoulty
GAA: FBD Insurance Tipperary Senior Hurling Championship Group 2
Clonoulty-Rossmore 1-22
Nenagh Eire Og 1-16
Report: Michael Dundon at Semple Stadium
Nenagh Eire Og’s county senior hurling title ambitions underwent a serious reality check on Sunday evening when they succumbed to an impressive Clonoulty-Rossmore side in a repeat of the 2018 county final.
It wasn’t so much the defeat as the manner in which it happened that will concern Eire Og mentors as they review this encounter before their final game against Eire Og Annacarty this Saturday. Eire Og simply did not match their opponents’ intensity or appetite for the battle and they were rather fortunate to be only six points adrift after a most disappointing performance.
A repeat against Annacarty could end their prospects and their hope is that this setback will be a wake-up call to remind players what is required to mix it with the best at this level. Admittedly they were denied two likely goals by top-drawer saves by Clonoulty custodian Declan O'Dwyer in the third quarter, opportunities which, if converted, might have inspired a rally. They were 0-9 to 1-15 behind when Michael Heffernan’s effort was stopped by O'Dwyer in the 40th minute and just before the second water break, O'Dwyer foiled Jake Morris with the score at 0-9 to 1-17.
Had they netted either of these, it might have been the platform for a last quarter surge and though they finished reasonably well, the game was beyond them at the three quarter stage (0-10 to 1-17) and the concentration at the finish appeared to be on damage limitations as regards scoring difference which could come into play after round three.
The second quarter was the decisive period. Nenagh started positively and with Jake Morris on song from frees, they led 0-6 to 0-3 after nine minutes. It was 0-6 each at the first water break, Timmy Hammersely pointing five Clonoulty frees but things changed rapidly when play resumed.
Conor Hennessy and Jake Morris points encouraged Nenagh but four Timmy Hammersely points and two from Cathal Bourke propelled Clonoulty into a 0-12 to 0-8 lead as the half went into injury time. It got worse for Nenagh as in the 32nd minute Conor Hammersely finished off a sweet Clonoulty move with a goal followed by another Timmy Hammersely point for an interval lead of 1-13 to 0-8 for the West side.
A dire situation required a radical Nenagh response but it was not forthcoming. Declan O'Dwyer’s two saves were a contributing factor but the lack of urgency in the Nenagh play did not reflect the precariousness of their situation.
The goal they needed so badly came in the 52nd minute when Jake Morris raised the green flag and he quickly followed with two points to leave only six in it with four minutes of actual time to play.
Clonoulty brought on John O'Keeffe who had been unable to start due to a rib injury, to steady their defence and did just enough to keep themselves comfortably clear to the finish.
The win sees Clonoulty to the top of the quarter and require just a draw with neighbours Holycross to confirm their passage to the quarter finals.
They started without John and Joey O'Keeffe and will be very happy with the outcome in their absence. Declan O'Dwyer played a starring role as did ace marksman, veteran Timmy Hammersely who scored fourteen points three from play. Cathal Bourke, Dillon Quirke, Ciaran Quirke, and Enda Heffernan were others to shine for them.
Few of the Nenagh squad did themselves justice. Only two of their forwards rose a flag, Jake Morris and Michael Heffernan, ten of their points coming from frees, six points from play being a poor return for 66 minutes. Morris was the big threat in attack but further back Daire Quinn, Conor Hennessy, and Conor McCarthy gave all they had.
MATCH DIGEST
Player of the Match: Declan O'Dwyer (Clonoulty-Rossmore)
Clonoulty/Rossmore: Declan O'Dwyer (9); Tommy Ryan (6), Ciaran Quirke (7), Jimmy Ryan (6); Jimmy Maher (6), Enda Heffernan (7), Sean O'Connor (6); Michael Ryan (0-1, 6), Conor Hammersley (1-0, 7); Cathal Bourke (0-3, 8), Dillon Quirke (0-2, 8), Ronan Heffernan (0-1, 6); Timmy Hammersley (0-14, 11f) 7), Thomas Butler (7), Stephen Quinn (6).
Subs: Jack Ryan (6) for R Heffernan (52); James Hammersley (0-1, 6) for Butler (54); John O'Keeffe (6) for Maher (56).
Nenagh Eire Og: Mark Tuite (6); Adam Gratton (6), Hugh Maloney (6), Conor McCarthy (7); Sean Phelan (6), Daire Quinn (7), Conor Ryan (0-1, 6); Conor Hennessy (0-2, 7), Killian Gleeson (6); Michael Heffernan (0-4, 2f) 7), Tommy Heffernan (6), Pearse Morris (6); Philip Hickey (6), Paddy Murphy (6), Jake Morris (1-9, 0-8f) 8).
Subs: Barry Heffernan (7) for Gleeson (HT); Adam Carey (7) for P Morris (HT); Donnacha Quinn (6) for Hennessy (50).
Referee: Kevin Jordan (Thurles Gaels)