Clonoulty return to action in winning fashion

Clonoulty/Rossmore 0-25

Moycarkey/Borris 1-19

Report: Shane Brophy in Boherlahan

Clonoulty/Rossmore’s senior hurlers returned to action in a fitting a way as possible following the death of their captain Dillon Quirke by producing a composed and professional performance to get their first win of the County Championship on Sunday.

There might have been just one score between themselves and Moycarkey/Borris for a finish, but Clonoulty were always in control of the game and but for thirteen wides and two missed goal chances in the second half, would have won more comfortably.

There was a hunger and focus to their play which was to be expected in their first game back to honour their teammate in the best way possible and Dillon will have been happy looking down on what he saw with ten different players getting on the scoresheet, including all three half backs as they had too much scoring threat to a Moycarkey side who stuck to their coat-tails all through but never looked likely to get something from the game. The loss of Max Hackett was keenly felt for a developing side with Hackett set to be out until the new year with a knee injury.

On the other hand, Clonoulty/Rossmore aren’t reliant on any one player, and this is what is going to carry them through the rest of the campaign, even without Dillon Quirke. In Danny Slattery they have a young forward of promise to go with Conor Hammersley and Jack Ryan in the scoring stakes, Ryan again superb from frees.

They also have a bench with the introduction of Michael Ryan and Cathal Bourke in the second half central to them building a match-winning advantage with Ryan’s energy in the middle of the field impressive while Cathal Bourke, working his way back from long term injury, landed two points and will soon be in a position to play from the start.

This was despite a good first half in which Moycarkey gave as good as they got from Clonoulty. Tom Hayes opened the scoring for the Mid men, but Clonoulty always looked the more purposeful side with the lively Danny Slattery getting them up and running.

Kieran Morris and Ciaran Quirke traded points from play before Jimmy Maher had the West men in front for the first time, the first of four points from play from the midfielder in a terrific performance.

They were always that step quicker, epitomised by a thirteenth minute John O’Keeffe point where the centre back had been down receiving treatment but Moycarkey switched off and when the free was taken O’Keeffe moved untracked to take a quick pass and land a good point.

Clonoulty were five in front on the quarter hour but Moycarkey got back within one coming up to half time with Kyle Shelly’s only score of the game with the Tipp U20 player well marshalled by county colleague Robert Doyle. Late points from Conor Hammersley and Jack Ryan gave Clonoulty a 0-13 to 0-10 half time advantage.

The trend of the game didn’t change after the break as Clonoulty stretched the gap with Moycarkey pulling some of it back. Goal chances were at a premium with Clonoulty having the best of them, firstly Jimmy Maher denied from close range after a Danny Slattery centre, before sub Michael Ryan found the side-netting.

One wondered would Clonoulty be made to pay for those misses but Moycarkey didn’t have the attacking threat, as of their 1-9 in the second half, just one point came from play from John Bergin, relying on the free-taking of Kieran Morris and Rhys Shelly to keep the scoreboard ticking over. While they had the breeze, their direct approach was easy for a physically strong Clonoulty side to defend.

The game looked set to peter out with Clonoulty six to the good on 59 minutes when Moycarkey goaled from a Rhys Shelly 21-yard free. When he added a free soon after, a smash and grab raid looked possible but there was no panic from Declan Ryan’s charges who managed further points from Cathal Bourke and Enda Heffernan to see them to victory.

Player of the Match: Jimmy Maher (Clonoulty/Rossmore)

Clonoulty/Rossmore: Martin Sadlier (7); Ronan Heffernan (7), Robert Doyle (7), Padraig Carew (7); Ciaran Quirke (0-1, 7), John O’Keeffe (0-1, 7), Enda Heffernan (0-2, 8); Sean O’Connor (6), Jimmy Maher (0-4, 9); Aaron Ryan (0-1, 6), Conor Hammersley (0-1, 6), Jack Ryan (0-10, 9f, 1 ‘65) 7); James Hammersley, Tommy Ryan, Danny Slattery (0-2, 8).

Subs: Michael Ryan (0-1, 7) for J Hammersley (40); Cathal Bourke (0-2, 8) for A Ryan (46); Stephen Ferncombe (6) for Maher (55 inj); James Ryan (NR) for Slattery (60 inj); Aaron Ryan for C Hammersley (60+4).

Moycarkey/Borris: Rhys Shelly (1-2f, 7); Chrissy McCullagh (6), Tom Ryan (7), Rory Dermody (7); Kevin Hayes (7), Pat Molloy (7), Rory Ryan (7); Kieran Cummins (6), Niall Heffernan (0-1, 6); Kevin O’Regan (0-2, 7), Tom Hayes (0-2, 7), John Bergin (0-1, 6); Darren Flood (6), Kyle Shelly (0-1, 6), Kieran Morris (0-10, 7f, 1 65) 7).

Subs: JJ Dermody (6) for Bergin (46); Jack Fallon (6) for Flood (46); Stephen Walsh (6) for O’Regan (53); James Power (6) for K Shelly (56); Kevin O’Regan for R Dermody (60+2 inj).

Referee: Kevin Jordan (Thurles Gaels)