Bodyke/O’Callaghan’s Mills finish with confidence to secure U-17C hurling league final

Bodyke/ O’Callaghan’s Mills 4-16
Whitegate 0-20

A gem of a final hidden away in division three minor league. A strong start by one side, consolidation by their opponents leading to a storming fightback only for the winners to finish with confidence to seal a win in which the scoreline hides the real story.
Whitegate will bemoan the opening 15 minutes and also their inability to strike for a goal in their 20 minutes of second-half dominance. Bodyke/Mills were fortunate that they had a 11 point half time lead to act as a cushion as their hosts battered them in the second half.
Celtic Challenge colleagues Michael Bogenberger, Kalum Fahy (Whitegate) went up against Sean Boyce (Bodyke/Mills) but the ace in the pack especially in the first quarter was Liam Murphy who four hours earlier led St Joseph’s Tulla to Munster honours. Sean Boyce hit the target with less than a minute played before Liam Murphy stunned the Whitegate following bagging (2-1) in two minutes.
This eight-point deficit after seven minutes appeared too much for Whitegate even when Kalum Fahy who finished the game with a mammoth 14 points in his locker it was a brief respite as Sean Boyce hit back immediately with a brace of scores. Kalum Fahy did not rest and hit three points between the 15th and 17th minutes.
Liam Murphy saw his goal effort blocked by Whitegate netminder Tom Tuohy only for Billy Moroney to bat the rebound for goal number three. More goals looked on the horizon but Whitegate began offering greater resistance. Liam Heffernan, Neil Dermody and Sean Boyce were all on target to leave Bodyke/Mills 10 clear as Michael Bogenberger was operating a spare defender to cope with the long-distance Cormac Doyle puck outs.
The final five minutes of the first half saw more of the same from the winners as Liam Murphy, Sean Boyce and Billy Moroney were on target as Kalum Fahy responded with two more points to leave Sean O’ Halloran’s charges (3-10) to (0-8) clear at the break.
Two fast scores after the restart from Fahy and Dermody narrowed the deficit to three goals as Oscar Dowling hit back for Bodyke/Mills. Fahy (3) and Boyce (2) shared five points in four minutes as Whitegate were now attacking with more intent. Unfortunately, they could not entirely quell Bodyke/Mills when they made a rare foray upfield. Jake Gibbons emerged as a strong target figure alongside Shane Hickey upfield for Whitegate. Fahy (3) and Hefferan dragged Whitegate back into the game to cut the Bodyke/Mills lead to five points, (3-13) to (0-17) after 50 minutes. Sean Boyce increased his sides lead to six before Fahy (2) and Harry Bogenberger with four minutes left in normal time left just a goal between the side.
Michael Bogenberger who may be one to watch in Clare hurling circles in the coming years had the ball in the opponent’s net but was called back for a free that was saved. This was the last attack from Whitegate as Bodyke/Mills in injury time added (1-2) with Billy Moroney making no mistake with the winners fourth goal.
The league winners were served well included Cormac Doyle, Sean Og Kilkenny, Dillon Joyce, Sean Boyce, Liam Murphy, Billy Moroney, Conor Walsh and Oscar Dowling. Kalum Fahy led the fightback in the scoring task for Whitegate whilst in the rearguard Michael Bogenberger, Neil Dermody, Jake Gibbons, Shane Hickey, Harry Bogenberger, Ryan Fahy and Liam Heffernan offered real resistance. Following the game Gavin Moroney of Bord na nÓg Iomaint presented the league trophy to joint captains Sean Boyce and Cormac Doyle.

Bodyke/Mills: Cormac Doyle, Rhys Flower, Edan Buckley, Conor Walsh, Killian Boland, Sean Og Kilkenny, Niall Melody, Oscar Dowling, Dillon Joyce, Ronan Fitzmaurice, Sean Boyce, Thomas Molloy, Martin Bon, Billy Moroney, Liam Murphy. Subs: Sean Ryan for Molloy,

Scorers: Sean Boyce (0-10), Liam Murphy (2-4) Billy Moroney (2-1), Oscar Dowling (0-1)

Whitegate: Tom Tuohy, Ryan Fahy, Daniel Touhy, Evan Kelly, Leo Bogenberger, Michael Bogenberger, Michael Kelly, Cathal Dooley, Harry Bogenberger, Jake Gibbons, Liam Heffernan, Shane Hickey, Neil Dermody, Kalum Fahy, Michael Heffernan

Scorers: Kalum Fahy (0-14), Liam Heffernan, Neil Dermody (0-2) each, Jake Gibbons, Harry Bogenberger (0-1) each

Referee: Ger Hoey (Killanena)

Minor B league final

Sweet striking Sweeney leads Scariff/Ogonnelloe to honours

Scariff/Ogonnelloe 1-17
Corofin/Ruan 1-12

All is well with the underage hurling conveyer belt over in East Clare as Scariff/Ogonnelloe retained their hard-earned Minor B league title for the second year running following a five-point success over a game Corofin/Ruan side on Tuesday evening. A stiff breeze was on hand so each side had its support but ultimately the conditions had no meaningful effect on the story of the game.
The prematch chatter suggested that the home side would edge this tie and this viewpoint was confirmed with a supreme scoring performance from Ben Sweeney. The sharpshooter has been in sparkling form for the Celtic Challenge this season as they prepare for their quarter-final against Kilkenny on Saturday 6th May in Kilkenny. It must also be noted that Corofin/Ruan were also possessing a capable ball striker as James Cullinan kept his side in contention when Scariff/Ogonnelloe threatened to step well ahead.
This was indeed a game that provided much entertainment and was decided by the early accuracy of Scariff/Ogonnelloe that gave them a slight advantage over Corofin/Ruan that took all their energies to haul back only for Scariff/Ogonnelloe to take over again midway through the second half. Colin O’Grady whose two points were also backed up by a busy performance throughout opened the scoring from 75 yards in the 3rd minute. Ben Sweeney took over the mantle and had the scorekeeper in business with four in a row in a five-minute interval. Corofin/Ruan were fortunate not to concede a goal in the first ten minutes and eventually opened their account courtesy of the efforts of Daniel McInerney.
Scariff/Ogonnelloe did not rest and added two more scores from Sweeney and Michael Vaughan before their opponents enjoyed their best period of the game tagging on (1-2) without reply as James Cullinan was central to this with Jack Keane scrambling the ball over the Scariff/Ogonnelloe goalline. There was just the minimum between the sides and the final five minutes of the opening half saw Ben Sweeney and James Cullinan add a point each to leave Scariff/Ogonnelloe ahead (0-8) to (1-4).
Corofin/Ruan came out for the second half in fighting form and had the first two points of the new half with Cullinan and midfielder Christian Cummins. This brace of scores gave Keith Farr’s side the lead for the first time after 35 minutes. Once more Ben Sweeney led the Scariff/Ogonnelloe line and he along with Donnacha Crotty restored a narrow lead only for Corofin/Ruan’s Darragh McGroary to equaliser.
This was close as it got for Corofin/Ruan as Ben Sweeney took over proceedings striking (1-5, 4 frees) as Corofin/Ruan were on the ropes with their defence unable to cope with Sweeney’s attacking prowess and freetaking. Oisin Madden, Colin O’Grady, Donnacha Crotty and Liam Touhy were offering great support in this task. Corofin/Ruan hit back with for scores, including two frees as the winners led (1-15) to (1-11) entering the final ten minutes.
A further score from Cullinan narrowed the gap to a goal as the game was now in the final five minutes. Yet, this was as good as it got for the Mid Clare side as Sweeney and O’Grady rounded off the scoring for a deserved win.
Best for the two-in-a-row league winners apart from Ben Sweeney included goalkeeper Matthew Crotty who was to the fore with a number of smart saves and clearances. Donnacha Crotty, Colin O’Grady, Michael Vaughan, Harry Collins, Liam Touhy, Padraig Maher and Cian Galvin. Best for Corofin/Ruan included James Cullinan, Jack Crowe in goal, Christian Cummins, Seamus O’Sullivan, Daniel McInerney, Jack White, Darragh McGroary and Sean Healy. Following the game Pat Gavin presented the trophy to Scariff/Ogonnelloe joint captains Patrick Maher and Lee Harrington

Scariff/Ogonnelloe: Matthew Crotty, Darragh Kelly, Harry Collins, Cian Galvin, Patrick Maher, Jack Madden, Liam Touhy, Lee Harrington, Cathal McCaul, Donnacha Crotty, Colin O’Grady, Oisin Madden, Michael Vaughan, Ben Sweeney, Conor Slattery. Subs: Sean Sheedy for Vaughan, Sean Madden for Slattery.

Scorers: Ben Sweeney (1-13). Colin O’Grady (0-2), Michael Vaughan, Donnacha Crotty (0-1) each

Corofin/Ruan: Jack Crowe, Daniel Guinnane, Liam Fitzpatrick Jack White, Seamus O’Sullivan, Daniel McInerney, Kriston Steigerwald, Sean Healy, Christian Cummins, Jamie Ryan, Darragh McGroary, James Cullinan, Jack Keane, Seanan Kirby, Darragh McDonagh. Subs: Cillian McDonagh for D McDonagh

Scorers: James Cullinan (0-9), Jack Keane (1-0) Daniel McInerney, Christian Cummins, Darragh McGroay 0-1) each

Referee: Eoghan O’Leary (Whitegate)