Cloughduv end long wait for U-21 hurling title
MUSKERRY GAA board who have been most successful this season in completing their championships on time were happy to get another result in a final at Ballincollig on Monday last. Custody of the U-21 hurling championship for 2018 was the target for the participants Cloughduv and Eire Óg.
The former had a particular desire for victory as their last outright success was as far back as 1992 but they were entering the fray as underdogs. Eire Óg had a very impressive semi- final victory over Aghabullogue under their belt and they had in their ranks six regular intermediate players. Cloughduv were more effective in the early stages of the action and when points from Keith O’Riordan and Eoin O’Shea were followed by a major from the latter, another disappointing U- 21 hurling championship appeared to be on the cards for Cloughduv.
The situation then changed dramatically for the underdogs as a superb point by their star performer Eoghan Clifford who determinedly withstood a hard tackle before he sent the sliotar between the uprights, lifted their morale. They raised four additional whit flags as Mark Walsh, Brian Verling and Brian Hinchion were on target from play and Verling also converted a free.
Eoin O’Shea replied for Eire Óg when he pointed a ‘65’ in the 17th minute but Cloughduv were having the better of the exchanges at this stage. Eoghan Curzon, Mark Walsh and Joe Ryan with points brought their total to eight so they were ahead by the 21st minute and they stayed ahead for the remainder of the action. Brian Hurley got a point back for Eire Óg so the minimum separated the sides but Cloughduv were quick to reply.
Verling converted another free, Jack Kelleher had an effort for a major turned over the cross-bar and Gavin Hickey gave his side a four points advantage as half time was approaching. A long range point from Paul Kirwan improved Eire Óg’s position but Cloughduv leading 0-11 to 1-5 were entitled to feel confident at the short whistle.
Keith O’Riordan raised a white flag for Eire Óg when the action resumed but Cloughduv replied immediately. Walsh and Verling (a 65) kept them in a good position and it was appearing that their long wait for another Muskerry U-21 hurling title was coming to an end. Eire Óg fought back with minors from Paul Kirwan and O’Shea (a free) but Clifford with another long range effort kept his side in a good position as the game entered the final quarter. O’Shea was on target for Eire Óg from a ‘65’ but Cloughduv replied promptly with minors from Walsh and Ryan and at that stage they looked well on the road to victory.
Cloughduv went further ahead in the 55th minute thanks to a Verling (65) conversion before their opponents displayed some improvement and substitute Dylan Foley and O’Riordan were on target so the arrears were reduced to three. Verling again replied for Cloughduv so they were determinedly keeping their noses in front but two O’Shea points kept their opponents hopes alive as the contest entered the time added on period. Two points separated the sides but determined attacking play yielded frees for Cloughduv and Verling continued to capitalise on them and sending the sliotar between the uprights from two placed balls he ensured victory for his side. O’Shea from a ‘65’ did get a point back for Eire Óg, before the final whistle signalled that a long wait for a Muskerry U-21 title had ended for Cloughduv (26 years).
It was a great team victory for Cloughduv who had an outstanding figure in Eoghan Clifford with Mark Walsh and Brian Verling also standing out.
CLOUGHDUV: Conrad Crowley, Neil Kirk, Patrick Buckley, Paudie O’Leary, Jack Murphy, Eoghan Clifford (0-2), Brian Hinchion (0-1), Mark Walsh (0-4), Aodh Twomey, Eoghan Curzon (0-1), Brian Verling (0-8; 4f, 1 ‘65’), Gavin Hickey (0-1), Jack Kelleher (0-1), Joe Ryan (0-2), William Ronan. Subs: Denis Dullen for Gavin Hickey (43), Liam Wall for Eoghan Curzon (57)
EIRE ÓG: Conor Keane, Ross McCarthy, Matt Brady, Sean Desmond, Mark Kelleher, John Cooper, Jason Twomey, Eoin Kelleher, Paul Kirwan (0-2), Chris Kelly, Eoin O’Shea (1-7; 0-3f, 0-3 ‘65’), Diarmuid Dineen, Brian Hurley (0-1), David Kirwan, Keith O’Riordan (0-3). Subs: Conor McGoldrick for Jason Twomey (h-t), Dylan Foley (0-1) for Eoin Kelleher (37), Joseph Cooper for Chris Kelly (58)
REFEREE: Joe Larkin (Ballinora)