Clonakenny are mauled by Mary's

GAA: FBD Insurance Tipperary Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship Group 4 Round 2

St Mary’s 3-27

Clonakenny 0-14

Report: Michael Dundon at Leahy Park, Cashel

Photos: Eamonn McGee

Clonakenny’s hope of making the knock-out stages of the County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship were virtually shattered on Saturday where they floundered against a much superior St Mary’s side.

Both sides lost their first round games, Clonakenny to Carrick Swans and St Mary’s to Killenaule so for both this was a must-win contest. Clonakenny showed no sign of the urgency of the situation slumping to a twenty-two point defeat in what must rank as one of their poorest performances since making the premier intermediate grade.

In boxing parlance, they never laid a glove on their Clonmel opponents whose speed, touch and teamwork had the Mid challengers struggling from the word go. Indeed by the start of the second quarter the game was over to all intents and purposes. Ruairi Leahy had a St Mary’s goal after seven minutes for a 1-4 to no score lead. They had 1-8 on the board before Bobby Bergin pointed for Clonakenny in the fifteenth minute and they were 1-11 to 0-1 clear before M J Carroll had Clonakenny’s second point after eighteen minutes.

Clonakenny fared a bit better in the second quarter but by half-time St Mary’s were ahead 1-16 to 0-8 and their bid for a place in the knock-out stages of the championship were back on track. In that opening period, Aaron Cagney shot four points from play for the winners, Seamus Kennedy dominated at the heart of the Clonmel sides, defence and Ruairi Leahy was a constant threat in attack.

Hopes that Clonakenny might settle more into the game in the second half were never realised as St. Mary’s continued to dictate. Peter McGarry, a growing influence as the hour progressed, notched their second goal after 43 minutes for a 2-20 to 0-10 lead and shortly afterwards Ruairi Leahy raised his second and Mary’s third green flag, 3-21 to 0-12. Ross Peters was also in the groove with a series of points.

For Clonakenny players and fans the final whistle could not come quickly enough. Finishing with a 22 point deficit could also damage them in the event of scoring difference coming into play in the latter stages.

Next up is a clash with Killenaule and players and management will have a major job of work ahead of them to get properly focussed after this drubbing.

However, Clonakenny have shown in recent years that adversity can bring out the best in them and they can be relied upon to face the challenge with courage. Few of their squad played to their potential here. Bobby Bergin was their best player but Diarmuid Ryan, John Joe Ryan, Nicky Ryan and Cian O’Dwyer also did their utmost to further their chances.

St Mary’s looked impressive. They played at a level well above that of their opponents and with county seniors Seamus Kennedy and Peter McGarry showing the way they could yet have a big say in the destination of the title.

Ruairi Leahy had a man of the match game in attack with 2-4 from play and a further two points from frees. Ross Peters, Aaron Cagney, and Tadgh Condon were others to have a big influence on their overall performance.

Next up is a mouth-watering clash with Carrick Swan when a St Mary’s win is imperative if they are to qualify for the quarter-finals.

Player of the Match: Ruairi Leahy (St Mary’s)

St Mary’s: Enda Dunphy (0-1f, 6); Tadhg Condon (0-1, 7), Liam Ryan (6), Ross Slattery (6); James Morris (6), Seamus Kennedy (8), Tadhg Sheehan (6); Richie Gunn (6), Sammy Ryan (6); James Power (0-1, 6), Ruairi Leahy (2-6, 0-2f, 9), Darragh O’Connor (6); Peter McGarry (1-6, 8), Ross Peters (0-6, 8), Aaron Cagney (0-5, 8).

Subs: Niall Hoctor (6) for Peters (49); Conor Deely (0-1, 6) for S Ryan (51); Thomas Charles (6) for L Ryan (54), Darragh Landers (NR) for Condon (57).

Clonakenny: Willie Costigan (6); Proinnsias Matthews (6), John Costigan (6), Alexei Harty (6); Cian Russell (6), Diarmuid Ryan (7), Conor Nesbitt (6); John Joe Ryan (0-2, 7), Michael John Carroll (0-2, 6); Delacey Byrne (0-1, 6), Sean Stapleton (6), Cian O’Dwyer (0-5, 3f, 7); Sean Maher (6), Nicky Ryan (0-1, 7), Bobby Bergin (0-3, 7).

Subs: Brian Mullally (6) for Matthews (24); Peadar Byrne (6) for Nesbitt (HT); John O’Meara (6) for Maher (HT); Paul Bergin (6) for Stapleton (46).

Referee: Cian Ryan (Eire Og Annacarty/Donohill).