Broadford dominate struggling Tubber

Broadford 2-19   Tubber 1-11

BROADFORD were crowned Junior B Hurling League champions at Tulla on Saturday afternoon, after they proved too strong for a Tubber outfit that struggled in a number of areas.
Tubber scored first through Declan Ryan but once Broadford hit the front in the sixth minute they never looked back. They were four points clear at half-time and a goal early in the second half strengthened their position and left Tubber fighting an uphill battle.
Tubber depended to a huge degree on their freetaker, Declan Ryan, for their scores and he finished the game with all but two points of their final tally.
While Broadford also had a very good freetaker in Alan McMahon, their final tally was shared by six players with corner-forward Cian O’Brien contributing 2-2.
The winners were 0-6 to 0-2 ahead after just 10 minutes and by the midpoint of the half, they had stretched their advantage by another two points.
Ahead 0-11 to 0-4 with five minutes remaining in the half, Tubber made a brief rally when Declan Ryan goaled from a 35m free and he quickly followed this score with a point to close the margin to three. That was as close as they got, however and they were always chasing the game in the second half as the East Clare side ruled in the vital areas.
The winners had a dream start to the second half when Cian O’Brien goaled inside the first minute and by the three quarter stage, they had stretched their lead to eight points, 1-16 to 1-8.
Alan McMahon followed with a brace from frees before O’Brien struck for his second goal and the destination of the title was well and truly decided.
To their credit, Tubber battled to the end but the better-balanced and more experienced Broadford outfit remained in control.
Oliver Marsh made a couple of impressive saves while Willie Hayes, Bernard McMahon, Seanie Casey, David Wixted, Cian O’Brien and Alan McMahon all played leading roles in this win.
Paul Waters, Ollie Taaffe, Micheal Kelly, Cyril Cunningham and Declan Ryan tried hard for the North Clare side.
After the game, Clare GAA treasurer Bernard Keane presented the trophy to the winning captain, James Skehan, who missed the action due to injury.

Broadford: Oliver Marsh; Padraig Gunning, John P Whelan, Willie Hayes; Bernard McMahon, Mark O’Donovan, John P Skehan; Ger Hickey, Seanie Casey; Enda Moloney David Wixted, David Hickey; Cian O’Brien, Paraic Boland, Alan McMahon.
Subs: Philip Duggan for Moloney; Willie Wixted for D Wixted; Eoin O’Brien for C O’Brien; Johnnie McNamara for Casey; Tom Cosgrove for Hayes.
Scorers: Alan McMahon (0-9, 0-8f); Cian O’Brien (2-2) Seanie Casey (0-3), David Wixted (0-2), Willie Hayes (free) Paraic Boland, David Hickey (0-1) each.
Tubber: Paul Waters; Mark Waters, Ollie Taaffe, Enda Quinn; Dermot Taaffe, Micheal Kelly, Philip O’Connor; Cyril Cunningham, Damian Quinn; Evan O’Donoghue, Shane McMahon, Declan Ryan; David Conroy, Paddy O’Connor, Joe Curran.
Subs: Cathal O’Grady for Conroy; David Fogarty for Curran; Adrian Niland for Philip O’Connor; Sean Brosnan for M Waters.
Scorers: Declan Ryan (1-9, 1-5f); Paddy O’Connor, David Fogarty (0-1) each.
Referee: Joe O’Donnell, Cratloe.