Clonoulty benefit from McGrath injury to break Ballinahinch hearts

GAA: FBD Insurance County Junior ‘A’ Hurling Championship Final

Clonoulty/Rossmore 3-18

Ballinahinch 2-11

Report: Liam Hogan in Kilcommon

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Padraig White (Clonoulty/Rossmore)

SCORERS – Clonoulty/Rossmore: Padraig White 1-9 (0-7 frees, 0-1 65, 0-1 s-cut); Kieran Carroll 1-1; Thomas Butler 0-3; Nathan Slattery 1-0; Patrick Ryan, Sean Ryan, Padraig Heffernan, Aidan White, Oisin Fryday 0-1 each.

Ballinahinch: Brendan Ryan 0-6 frees; Davy Gleeson 1-3; Evan Kearns 1-0; Ger Grace, Paddy Kelly 0-1 each.

Ballinahinch’s hopes of returning to Intermediate level at the first time of asking came crashing down around them when they were beaten by a very experienced Clonoulty/Rossmore side who simply tore the North champions asunder in the last quarter of Saturday’s County Junior ‘A’ Hurling final.

The ten-point margin of defeat might not reflect fairly on the North champions. It all looked good for them, when despite a slow start went toe to toe with the west-men before disaster struck by losing Shane McGrath to injury in the 49th minute. Ballinahinch trailed 2-9 to 1-13 at the time of his departure following a mid-air collision with teammate Joey Kelly. The former walked off looking worse for wear also. However, McGrath’s absence left a void to an already hard working Ballinahinch side and Clonoulty availed of the opening and contrived to outscore Ballinahinch 2-5 to 0-2 in that final ten minutes with the Clonoulty bench contributing 2-4 which was the difference in the end.

It was a disappointing day for Ballinahinch who hoped to bridge a gap of twenty-one years since last taking home the Junior ‘A’ laurels while Clonoulty rejoiced in their first ever title in the grade after failure in the 1936 and 2015 deciders. This latest success was good timing for the club following their Junior ‘B’ win two years ago with club legend Declan Ryan also the winning manager as their second team steps up to the intermediate grade which is always a good sign for a club.

With so many ex-senior players on the starting fifteen, this Clonoulty side were favourites going into the game. The manner in which they secured their opening scores through Thomas Butler and Patrick Ryan enhanced their favourites tag despite conceding a Davy Gleeson point in a lively opening five minutes.

With former senior player James Heffernan already prominent in a half backline that also included Donnacha Quirke at centre back and captain Patrick Ryan on the left wing, Clonoulty enjoyed plenty of possession and the scores continued with top-scorer Padraig White increasing their lead from a free before the West champions had the ball in the net through Nathan Slattery on eight minutes, thanks to combined play by Butler and Fiachra O’Keeffe.

Ballinahinch were stung but the thought of a one-sided contest quickly disappeared when Davy Gleeson ghosted inside the Clonoulty cover to score a great goal after positive vision by John Foley and Paddy Kelly.

With five of their forward line in Padraig Heffernan, Aidan White, Butler and O’Keeffe and top-scorer Padraig White, there was plenty senior experience to call upon and Clonoulty were soon back on track as the accuracy of White (frees) plus Sean Ryan and Heffernan from play helped them race into a 1-7 to 1-3 lead by the 20th minute.

However, Ballinahinch kept plugging away and helped by a determined inside backline where Aidan Ryan excelled at corner-back just behind Joey Kelly, Karl Kelly, and Shane McGrath at half back, they soon came back to level when Ger Grace’s point was quickly followed by a second goal by Evan Kearns, 2-4 to 1-7.

With half time approaching, the sides swapped scores with two Padraig White frees moving Clonoulty back in front before Davy Gleeson picked of a good score only to see Thomas Butler score again to put Clonoulty two clear at half time, 1-10 to 2-5.

Both sides scored early in the second half before Ballinahinch struck a purple patch with Brendan Ryan’s angle free levelling at 2-8 to 1-11 before he edged the North champions ahead in the 37th minute.

Aidan White levelled matters before Padraig White’s sideline ball had Clonoulty in front with eighteen minutes remaining. Play was evenly balanced over the next seven before disaster struck for Ballinahinch with Shane McGrath leaving the field.

From there, the West champions eased into a three point lead after two Padraig White frees. Both Brendan Ryan (2) and Padraig White each traded frees before the West-men moved four clear through Thomas Butler and Oisin Fryday on the hour mark.

Clonoulty were now in control and the lead would increase ever more when a well-placed delivery by Odhran White was pin-point accurate for Padraig White to fire low to the net.

At the other end, Brendan Ryan went low with a close range free, but David Egan saved and when play reached the other end it was left to sub Kieran Carroll to prize home a third goal for the winners, a fitting end to a player who won his third county medal after collecting same at Junior B and senior levels.

It was game over for a Ballinahinch side looked good since their North final win as victories at quarter and semi-final suggested. But Clonoulty/Rossmore were that bit better and were deserving winners and winning captain, Patrick Ryan, paid tribute to the late Dillon Quirke and club masseur Philip Maher in his victory speech.

TEAMS – Clonoulty/Rossmore: David Egan (7); Niall Shanahan (7), Padraig Carew (7), Aidan Loughman (7); James Heffernan (7), Donnchadh Quirke (7), Patrick Ryan (Capt, 7); Nathan Slattery (7), Sean Ryan (6); Padraig Heffernan (7), Aidan White (7), Padraig White (8); Fiachra O’Keeffe (6), Thomas Butler (7), Nicky Kearns (6).

Subs: Kieran Carroll (7) for Kearns (35); Odhran Quirke (7) for O’Keefe (48 inj); Oisin Fryday (7) for P Heffernan (59); Paddy Kennedy (NR) for Slattery (60+5).

Ballinahinch: Darragh McGrath (6); Adam Ryan (7), Kevin Fitzpatrick (7), Cathal Ryan (7); Karl Kelly (7), Joey Kelly (7), Shane McGrath (7); Brian Keane (7), James Lynch (7); Ger Grace (6), Paddy Kelly (6), Davie Gleeson (7); Evan Kearns (6), Brendan Ryan (6), John Foley (6).

Subs: Niall Harrington (6) for S McGrath (49 inj); Alan Kelly (6) for Foley (51); Dave Ryan (6) for Kearns (54).

Referee: John Dooley (Thurles Gaels).