Templederry finish strongly to overcome Clonakenny

Templederry Kenyons 1-25

Clonakenny 1-14

Report: James Hayden in Templemore

A strong final quarter from Templederry ensured they dismissed a stiff Clonakenny challenge in this Seamus O Riain Cup Group 3 clash on Saturday afternoon.

With a win over Newport already under the belt Templederry have topped the group with a game to spare following this fully deserved eleven-point victory.

Although starting again without the influential duo of Odhran Murphy and Darragh Carey, Templederry proved the classier side throughout, particularly in the final quarter when they really came into their own and outscored Clonakenny 0-8 to 0-2.

Their win was not without cost though with the hugely impressive Brian Stapleton sustaining an injury to his Achilles while Liam McCutcheon and substitute, Padraig Hogan also picked up muscle injuries which could rule them out for a few weeks, but they have time to recover as through to a quarter final, it won’t be played until October 17th.

While Templederry were full value for their win, there was one crucial moment in the game which could have had a major influence on the outcome. It came in the 24th minute after Mattie Hogan retaliated with a swinging hurl across Pa Ryan in front of the stand. In an incident reminiscent of Aaron Gillane’s retaliatory swing across Cathal Barrett in this year’s Munster SHC the incident appeared a nailed on red card for the Templederry corner-forward, but referee Ger Fitzpatrick thought otherwise and brandished a yellow card.

Clearly aggrieved by the decision Clonakenny mounted a late opening half surge and quickly whittled down a four-point deficit to trail by just one, 0-11 to 0-10.

In what at times was a spicy encounter, Templederry started the brighter with two Brian Stapleton points and a third from the stick of Eanna Murray (free) after DeLacy Byrne had opened Clonakenny’s account after just two minutes.

Templederry could have netted on eleven minutes after Tom Ryan found himself clean through on goal, but Willie Costigan pulled off a tremendous point-blank save, the first of two superlative saves, to deny Templederry a first half goal.

Templederry pressed on though with 65’ and a free from Eanna Murray while Mattie Hogan added another to ensure they led 0-7 to 0-4 at the water break. Clonakenny fired seven wides in that opening quarter and realistically they should have been far closer to Templederry.

Points from Tom Ryan and Eanna Murray (free) extended Templederry’s advantage before a fantastic point from Conor O’Dwyer and a booming effort from Pa Ryan narrowed the gap to three by the 24th minute. Seanie Ryan and Eanna Murray restored Templederry’s five-point advantage right on 30 minutes before Clonakenny embarked on a run of scores with efforts from Willie Ryan (free) and Nicky Ryan (2) leaving the bare minimum between the sides at the interval.

Templederry surged clear again upon the resumption with Eanna Murray (free), Brain Stapleton and Seanie Ryan on target. Cian O’Dwyer and Padraig O’Leary quickly traded points before a cracking Cian O’Dwyer goal breathed life into Clonakenny’s challenge, 0-15 to 1-11.

Templederry were dealt a further blow when the influential Brian Stapleton was forced off with through injury before Eanna Murray lifted the Templederry mood with a cracking 42nd minute goal.

Templederry led 1-17 to 1-12 at the water break but really seized the initiative when hostilities resumed. Substitute, Adrian Ryan hit three without reply from full-forward to put eight between the sides and effectively the game was gone from Tony Doran’s charges.

Further points from Adrian Ryan and Seanie Ryan (2) served to embellish Templederry’s advantage before another fine save from Willie Costigan denied the Kenyons a second goal deep in time added on but it mattered little as Templederry recorded back-to-back wins.

Player of the Match: Eanna Murray (Templederry Kenyons)

Templederry Kenyons: Tim McCutcheon (7), Ross Donnelly (8), Christy Coughlan (7), Dale Donnelly (7); Thomas Stapleton (7), Liam McCutcheon (8), Mikie Ryan (7); Brian Stapleton (0-3, 8), Michael Ryan (P 7); Seanie Ryan (0-5, 8), Eanna Murray (1-7, 0-5f, 0-1 65) 8), Gearoid Ryan (0-1, 7); Mattie Hogan (7), Padraig O’Leary (0-1, 7), Tom Ryan (0-2, 7).

Subs: Colm Murray (0-1, 7) for Hogan (HT); Adrian Ryan (0-4, 7) for O’Leary (39); Mattie Hogan (0-1) for B Stapleton (41 inj); Padraig Hogan (NR) for L McCutcheon (60+4); Tadgh McLoughlin (NR) for P Hogan (60+9).

Clonakenny: Willie Costigan (8), Alexei Harty (6), Diarmuid Ryan (7), John Costigan (6); Willie Ryan (0-1f, 7), John Joe Ryan (7), Tom Carroll (7); Pa Ryan (0-1, 7), Matthew O’Sullivan (0-1, 7); Cian O’Dwyer (1-3, 0-2f) 8), Conor Shanahan (0-1, 7), DeLacy Byrne (0-1, 7); Stephen Maher (0-2, 1f) 6), Michael John Carroll (0-2, 7), Nicky Ryan (0-2, 7).

Sub: Peadar Byrne (NR) for Carroll (59)

Referee: Ger Fitzpatrick (Roscrea).