Clonakenny fall into last chance saloon after Moyne-T defeat

GAA: FBD Insurance Tipperary Premier Intermediate Hurling Relegation Semi-Final

Moyne-Templetuohy 1-17

Clonakenny 1-15

Report: Michael Dundon at Pairc Shilean, Templemore

A strong last quarter by Clonakenny against Mid rivals Moyne-Templetuohy on Sunday was not enough to secure their premier intermediate hurling status on this occasion, the defeat sending them to a relegation play-off final against Burgess.

No strangers to each other, these sides produced a full-blooded contest, both sides motivated by their survival instincts, and at the end of the day the verdict went Moyne-Templetuohy’s way, an outcome hugely influenced by county stars Conor Bowe and in particular Gearoid O’Connor who bagged 1-12 of the winners tally, 1-4 from play.

Bowe was outstanding at the heart of the Moyne defence, his reading of the game and deliveries to the attack showing his class, but it was O’Connor’s accuracy from frees and play that really tipped the scales in their favour and their leadership carried the day for Moyne.

Clonakenny looked in good shape at half-time. They had played into the fresh breeze and were only two points behind (1-7 to 0-12). Their goal after seventeen minutes was expertly taken by Bobby Bergin to put them 1-6 to 0-6 ahead.

Unfortunately, they failed to build on that score and Moyne owned the second quarter, outpointing them 0-6 to 0-1 for their two points half-time advantage.

The expected third quarter surge came but it came from Moyne-Templetuohy. Gearoid O’Connor netted in the 36th minute off Ciaran Lloyd’s good work, and by the end of the third quarter they had moved 1-17 to 1-9 ahead, safety within sight.

Clonakenny’s situation was not helped by some slack shooting but gradually they began to find their range, and with Moyne failing to raise a flag, the deficit was whittled away by a steadily improving Clonakenny side.

Cian O’Dwyer hit four points from frees in that late rally, with Bobby Bergin and Michael John Carroll also on target. Moyne were hanging on for dear life and referee John Dooley’s final whistle couldn’t come soon enough.

The Clonakenny effort did not falter but Moyne-Templetuohy dug in to retain their slight advantage and with it their place in the premier intermediate grade next year.

They deserved their win which, as stated owed much to the influence of their county men Conor Bowe and Gearoid O’Connor.

However, the contributions of Pierce & Tom Meade, Ciaran Lloyd, Eanna Guilfoyle, and Sean Hayes were also noteworthy.

Anxious time for Clonakenny, but the spirit shown in their fight back in the last quarter, if reproduced in the relegation final, could see them to safety. They are no strangers to this situation and will not shrink from the challenge.

Diarmuid Ryan was a towering figure at the heart of their defence with John Costigan also to the fore. Michael John Carroll did a lot of work at midfield while Bobby Bergin was their most dangerous attacker. Cian O’Dwyer did well from frees and John Joe Ryan was also a threat all through.

Ultimately, nine second half wides were their undoing and something they will need to address if they are to retain their grading for another year.

Player of the Match: Gearoid O’Connor (Moyne-Templetuohy)

Moyne-Templetuohy: Liam Butler (6); Shane Lowe (6), Ciaran Lloyd (7), Eoin Gorman (6); Pierce Meade (7), Conor Bowe (8), Danny Moore (6); Eanna Guilfoyle (0-1, 7), Ben Moore (0-1, 6); Gearoid O’Connor (1-12, 0-7f, 9), Tom Meade (0-2, 7), Cormac Deegan (6); Cathal Guilfoyle (6), Sean Hayes (7), Ben Ryan (0-1, 6).

Subs: Diarmuid Fogarty (6) for Deegan (HT); Tossy Hammil (6) for Ryan (45); Finn Jones (6) for Gorman (52).

Clonakenny: Willie Costigan (6); Brian Mullally (6), John Costigan (7), Alexei Harty (6); Cian Russell (6), Diarmuid Ryan (8), Delacy Byrne (6); Conor Nesbitt (6), Michael John Carroll (0-2, 7); John Joe Ryan (0-2, 7), Peadar Byrne (6), Cian O’Dwyer (0-9, 8f, 6); Bobby Bergin (1-1, 7), Nicky Ryan (0-1, 6), Paul Bergin (6).

Sub: Sean Stapleton (6) for P Bergin (40).

Referee: John Dooley (Thurles Gaels).