Taghmon on song
Five goals make sure of shield win
TAGHMON-CAMROSS 5-9 CLOUGHBAWN 0-2
GOALS WIN games as the saying goes, and that was certainly the case in the New Ross Standard U-14 hurling Division 5 shield final when Taghmon-Camross hit the net on five occasions to see off a game Cloughbawn side.
Despite the scoreline, both sides must be given great credit for a hearty exhibition of hurling in what were very difficult conditions as the wind howled around a soggy Páirc Charman.
In the end, it was a deserved victory for Taghmon-Camross who showcased a lot of talent all over the field, but especially through the spine of their team with Mark Doyle, Maurice Cogley and James Kelly all catching the eye with impressive displays.
James Kelly and Darragh Kehoe traded early scores before the eventual winners began to pull in front with points from Conor Murphy, Liam Winters and Maurice Cogley.
The New Ross District side looked dangerous on several occasions but Cloughbawn’s netminder, John Buckley, did well to keep out any goal chances with a brace of saves with ten minutes remaining in the half.
But it seemed like a goal was inevitable, and after Buckley stopped Patrick Monaghan’s initial effort, the corner-forward showed great persistence to connect with the follow-up and hit the net.
Minutes later, James Kelly hit a sensational point from an acute angle just before hitting a major, giving his side a ten-point lead at the break.
Cloughbawn refused to lie down and came out fighting in the second-half, with huge performances from Darragh Kehoe, A.J Cooper and Cathal Doyle.
Unfortunately for them, they came up against a strong Taghmon-Camross defence who let nothing past them easily.
Taghmon-Camross finished off the game strongly with goals from Mark White, a second from Patrick Monaghan, and an extraordinary effort from Maurice Cogley, while Mark Doyle played a captain’s role by hitting three late points before accepting the shield for his side.
Taghmon-Camross: Paddy Nolan; Cody Meyler, Jack Kelly, Cillian Gondard; Shane Codd, Mark Doyle (capt., 0-3), Conor Foley; Liam Winters (0-1), Maurice Cogley (1-1); Conor Murphy (0-2 frees), Michael Foley, James Whitty; Ben Codd, James Kelly (1-2), Luke Murphy. Subs. - Patrick Monaghan (2-0) for L. Murphy, Mark White for B. Codd, Ben Furlong for Monaghan, Jack Murphy for White, also Cathal Breen, Conor Mernagh, Daniel Ruane, Bobby Doyle, Tadgh Williams.
Cloughbawn: John Buckley; Aaron McManus, Cathal Doyle, Ewan Codd; A.J. Cooper, Nathan McDonald, Eamon Kehoe; Ben Keeley, Darragh Kehoe (0-2 frees); Eoin Murphy, Gary Kennedy, Jimmy Connors; Cormac Cooper, D. Redmond, Oran Clare. Subs. - Eamon Byrne for Clare, S. McDonald for C. Cooper.
Referee: Bob Treacy (Clongeen).