Portroe finish strongly against Clonakenny to reach quarter finals

GAA: FBD Insurance County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship Group 4

Portroe 3-21

Clonakenny 4-14

Report: Liam Hogan in Nenagh

Portroe scored five unanswered points in added time to secure a fantastic win over Clonakenny in a very entertaining Premier Intermediate Hurling Chamionship winner-take -all clash on Saturday afternoon.

It was a victory at the three-quarter stage which looked out of Portroe’s reach but the recovery puts them through to the quarter finals behind Cashel King Cormacs in the group while Mid champions Clonakenny have to rely on their preliminary quarter final game against Burgess this weekend.

After losing to Cashel King Cormacs, it was imperative for Portroe to win and the return of Michael Creamer and Justin Conroy strengthened their cause.

However, they suffered a poor start with Clonakenny the better side in the opening bouts. Cian O’Dwyer went low but Portroe keeper Diarmuid Boyle did well to save and with the pressure continued Matthew O’Sullivan was on hand to score the opening goal and Clonakenny were 1-2 to no score in front after six minutes.

But Portroe began to settle and by the twelfth minute they were level at 1-3 each after Kevin O’Halloran had found the net. With Robert Byrne in command at centre back, his point in the 16th minute put Portroe two clear before Clonakenny drew level thanks to points by full back John Costigan and Cian O’Dwyer before the latter added a free to make it 1-6 to 1-5 after eighteen minutes. However, the lead changed a minute later when Mark Gennery won a delivery from John Sheedy before steering the ball past Stephen Russell.

Portroe went four to the good after Kevin O’Halloran added a point but Clonakenny cut the lead to one when Matthew O’Sullivan doubled his goal tally after excellent work by Michael John Carroll.

However, the next eight minutes belonged to Portroe who outscored the Mid champions 0-6 to 0-3 with AJ Willis (2 from play), Kevin O’Halloran (2 frees) plus Robert Byrne and John Sheedy (free) on target while the accurate Cian O’Dwyer replied with three placed balls for Clonakenny.

As game was approaching half time, Portroe appeared to have a four point advantage safe in their grasp but one last attack by Clonakenny saw Michael John Carroll involved again. Diarmuid Boyle saved but lost control and Peadar Byrne was on hand to steer home from close range and at half time it was Portroe 2-13 Clonakenny 3-9.

After the restart, AJ Willis increased Portroe’s lead before the game went eight minutes without a score when Cian O’Dwyer gave Clonakenny the lead with a goal in the 39th minute. It was Clonakenny’s best period and when Nicky Ryan pointed, Clonakenny were four to the good on 46 minutes. By then, the Clonakenny full forward line had scored 3-2 from play.

However, the lead lasted no length and after John Sheedy pointed a free it was the turn of Ian O’Donnell to rescue Port when he was on hand to score his sides third goal in the 51st minute. One minute later, Kevin O’Halloran crowned his great day with a splendid side-line ball to give Port the lead.

But Clonakenny were not for giving up and led by Bobby Bergin they drew level again thanks to a free by Cian O’Dwyer before John Joe Ryan landed a lead score from halfway.

The game was in the balance once more but then it was the turn of Portroe to take over and as their accuracy from distance took centre stage as Kevin O’Halloran pointed twice from halfway followed by one much closer by Mark Gennery before AJ Willis scored his fifth deep into added time. Port had survived and reaching the quarter finals they will be a difficult side to beat.

Player of the Match: Kevin O’Halloran (Portroe)

Portroe: Diarmuid Boyle (7); Michael Creamer (6), Mikey Breen (6), Justin Conroy (6); Brian Keating (7), Robert Byrne (0-1, 7), Christopher O’Riordan (7); Colm Gleeson (0-1, 7), Kevin O’Halloran (1-6, 0-2f, 0-1 s-cut) 8); Ian O’Donnell (1-0, 6), John Sheedy (0-4, 3f) 6), AJ Willis (0-5, 8); Ruadhan Mulrooney (0-1, 7), Mark Gennery (1-1, 7), Jack Maloney 0-1 (6).

Subs: Sam Madden (0-1, 6) for Creamer (HT); Anthony Bourke (6) for O’Donnell (57); Kieran McKeogh (NR) for Sheedy (60+2).

Clonakenny: Stephen Russell (7); Brian Mullaly (6), John Costigan (0-1, 7), Cian Russell (6); Diarmuid Ryan (7), Willie Ryan (7), Tom Carroll (7); Delacy Byrne (6), John Joe Ryan (0-1, 6); Michael John Carroll (0-1, 7), Bobby Bergin (7), Cian O’Dwyer (1-9, 0-7f, 0-1’65) 7); Nicky Ryan (0-2, 7), Peadar Byrne (1-0, 6), Matthew O’Sullivan (2-0, 7).

Subs: Conor Shanahan (6) for Byrne (50); Proinsias Matthews (NR) for T Carroll (60).

Referee: Gerry Treacy (Borris-Ileigh).