Clongeen clinch second
CLONGEEN EVENTUALLY shook off the stubborn attentions of Naomh Eanna to clinch second spot in Group B of the Junior hurling championship in Oylegate on Saturday.
Naomh Eanna, who now face Davidstown-Courtnacuddy in the relegation final, closed to within a point on a couple of occasions in the second-half, but each time they did Clongeen simply rolled up their sleeves and kicked on again.
The sides were deadlocked on seven points apiece after 25 minutes with Christopher Cullen knocking over a couple of frees for Clongeen, Paudie Cahill and Ger Foxe adding two points each, and Paul Curtis also getting in on the act.
David Kennedy, who put in a good shift throughout, replied with three points for Naomh Eanna, one from a sideline cut which he superbly floated over the bar, while Michael Murphy added two frees and Niall Kirwan and Daniel Sunderland also found the range.
However, Clongeen managed to put a bit of daylight between themselves and their opponents with a strong finish to the half, with Paudie Cullen driving over two long-range placed balls, Christopher Cullen slotting over a free, and Donal Murphy adding a fine effort on the turn.
A hat-trick of Michael Murphy frees saw the Gorey side quickly claw their way back to within a point after the re-start, but when Clongeen felt their opponents breathing down their necks they put the foot down again and got the next three points on the board through Donal Murphy, Ger Foxe and Paudie Cahill.
David Kennedy then went into overdrive, registering three points in four minutes to leave Naomh Eanna just a point adrift with a quarter of the game remaining.
Clongeen were in determined mood though and frees from Paudie Cullen and Christopher Cullen stretched the lead to three once more.
A Michael Murphy free gave Naomh Eanna hope but a goal and a point from Paul Curtis in the dying moments sealed the deal for the south county side.
The impressive Ger Foxe picked out the run of Curtis, and he raced forward before firmly planting the ball beyond goalkeeper Jack Cushe.
Clongeen: Ricky Rochford; Danny O’Grady, Anton Stafford, Barry Foxe; Marty Reville, Paudie Cullen (0-3, 2 frees, 1 ‘65), Donal Whelan; Paul Curtis (1-2), Paudie Cahill (0-3); Martin Delaney, Donal Murphy (0-2), Enda Murphy; Tom Donovan, Christopher Cullen (0-4 frees), Ger Foxe (0-3). Subs. - Peter Anthony Wall for Donovan, Martin Kehoe for Delaney.
Naomh Eanna: Jack Cushe; Pat Cullen, Simon Doran, John Stafford; Daniel Sunderland (0-1), Michael Bernie, Ross Murphy; Kenneth Byrne, Seamus O’Donnell; David Kennedy (0-6, 1 line ball), Niall Kirwan (0-1), Dillon Kenny; Eoin McGuckin, Michael Murphy (0-6, 5 frees), John Doyle. Sub. - Seán Sheridan for Kenny.
Referee: Seán Slaven (Faythe Harriers).