Broadford take B decider

Broadford 3-9
Kilmaley 2-10
At the end of a very exciting U-16B hurling final at Newmarket on Sunday, Broadford were crowned champions, thanks to a two-point victory over Kilmaley.
This game produced plenty of excitement and some great hurling, with outstanding performances from both centre-backs, Brian Taylor for the winners and Conor Cleary for Kilmaley.
Broadford got off to an excellent start and raced into a three-point lead before Kilmaley found the range when Conor Cleary’s free went all the way to the net. This sparked off a great spell for the runners-up, who added 1-4, the goal coming from Pádraig McNamara, with Michael O’Malley among the point scorers.
Seven points clear with five minutes to go to the break, things were looking good for Kilmaley but then Broadford struck for a brace of goals in as many minutes.
Micheál McInerney had the first with a fine overhead strike and Donie Whelan quickly added a second. When the half-time whistle sounded Kilmaley’s lead was down to two points, 2-6 to 2-4.
Kilmaley had the first point of the second half but then Broadford struck for goal number three, which came from Whelan, and this tied up the game. From here to the finish it was point for point. Broadford went two clear but Kilmaley levelled.
The final two points of the game were for Broadford and these decided the tie in the East Clare side’s favour and resulted in Paul O’Connell receiving the trophy amid great scenes of celebration.
As mentioned, Brian Taylor was outstanding and others to impress for the winners were Shane Taylor, Donie Whelan, Micheál McInerney and Craig Shanahan while Kilmaley’s best were Conor Cleary, Darragh Gregan, Shane Lynch and Michael O’Malley.

Broadford: Darren Chaplin; Eoghan Mason, Paul O’Connell, Shane Keniry; Jack Kelleher, Brian Taylor, Danny Reddan; Shane Taylor, Stephen McMahon; Craig Shanahan, Micheál McInerney, Stiofan McMahon; Diarmuid Moloney, Paul Moroney, Donie Whelan.
Subs: Damian Keniry for Stiofan McMahon; Jack O’Brien for P Moloney; Eoin Donnellan for S Keniry; Keniry for Donnellan.
Kilmaley: Eoin Meehan; Padraic O’Connor, Darragh McMahon, Darragh Gregan; Shane O’Malley, Conor Cleary, Shane Lynch; Cian Moloney, Conor Finnucane; Barry Lynch, Tola Coote, Michael O’Malley; Eamonn Bracken, Aidan McGuane, Pádraig McNamara.
Subs: Eoin Cleary for Coote; Killian Normoyle for Bracken; Brian Colleran for O’Connor.