Cloughduv brave early storm and sail to Munster Hurling title
Cloughduv 0-17 Ballinameela 0-11
CLOUGHDUV were crowned Munster Junior Hurling champions in Mallow last Sunday and few could argue with the result on the day. The Muskerry side did everything required, and more, to secure their first provincial honours and in so doing extended what is one of the greatest seasons in the club’s long and distinguished existence.
From just before the off the signs were good for the newly crowned champions as their captain Mark Verling was passed fit to play after picking up an injury earlier in the season, which looked for a while that it may deny the club leader his chance of lining out. However, his inclusion, along with that of his brother Brian and plenty more club stars, meant that Cloughduv went into this one with the wind firmly in their sails - and that wind was only matched by the serious gusts on the day that were always going to play a part in the outcome.
Cloughduv looked hungry from the off with the Verling’s, Joe Ryan and James Moynihan all showing for the ball up front while at the rear Brian and Ger Ahern, Dave O’Leary and Eoghan Clifford all did well in what a tough, uncompromising encounter from the first to the final whistle.
Mark Walsh and Aidan Murphy were the midfield pairing charged with securing ball from the puckouts however despite both playing really well neither could have imagined prior to the game just what a crowded area the midfield would turn out to be.
For Ballinameela, Paul and Tom Curran were charged with contesting the midfield while Brendan Phelan was to be scorer in chief with the assistance of Jim Curran, Brian Phelan and Conor Buckley assigned support roles up front.
At the back David Phelan was to be the main man from his berth at centre back while Michael Shine and Lorcan Looby were also likely to be in the firing line when Cloughduv attacked.
Right from the off Cloughduv looked up for this one but it was still the Waterford side that got first off the mark with a quick point from John Curran in the corner.
Cloughduv responded with a point from captain Verling and so began a tit for tat scoring exchange that would continue for most of the opening 32 minutes.
Brendan Phelan kept the scoreboard ticking over for Ballinameela while Brian Verling at corner forward notched up five of the Cloughduv opening period’s eight points.
Points from Walsh and Moynihan rounded off what was a terrific first half, against a very strong for the newly crowned Munster Junior Hurling champions.
Cloughduv may have led by 0-8 to 0-6 heading back onto the field but they still required a solid start if they were to keep the Deise side at bay and while the Cork side again coughed up the first score of the half they steadily took control of proceedings dominating every area of the field to the final whistle.
From front to back the Cloughduv players defended like lions and on occasion had to withstand serious pressure but an unwavering belief in what they were about and the fact that the Cork side seemed destined for the win meant that the men in green always looked like they would see this one home.
Next up will be the Kilkenny and Leinster champions Dunnamaggain in the All Ireland semi-final and while the eastern side will be tough to beat it would be unwise for any side to look past a Cloughduv side just one step away from a trip to Croke Park
CLOUGHDUV: J Buckley; P Buckley, E Clifford, S Curzon; G Ahern, B Ahern, D O’Leary; M Walsh 0-2, A Murphy; M Verling 0-2, A Cronin 0-1, D Corkery; B Verling 0-9 (7f), J Ryan 0-2, J Moynihan 0-1. Subs: G Egan for D Corkery (34), D Sullivan for G Ahern (43), A Twomey for S Curzon (47), K Barry Murphy for A Cronin (53), K Walsh for D O’Leary (60).
BALLINAMEELA: D Looby; R Shine, M Shine, K Looby; K Phelan, D Phelan, L Looby; P Curran 0-2, T Curran; L O’Brien, Brian Phelan 0-1, C Culloo; C Buckley, Brendan Phelan 0-6 (5f), J Curran 0-1. Subs: M Culloo for C Buckley (40), E Walsh for C Culloo (42), M Phelan for J Curran (52).
REFEREE: Joe Mullins (Clare)