Cool Clonlara snatch last-gasp draw

FOUR points behind at the end of normal time, cool Clonlara lads displayed nerves of steel to snatch an unlikely draw against all the odds in a pulsating finish to the All-Ireland Junior B Hurling Championship final on Sunday.

FOUR points behind at the end of normal time, cool Clonlara lads displayed nerves of steel to snatch an unlikely draw against all the odds in a pulsating finish to the All-Ireland Junior B Hurling Championship final on Sunday.
Kilkenny champions, Conahy Shamrocks looked to have one hand on the Killeedy Cup when Barry Murphy split the posts from out near the sideline to put them four points clear in injury time.
However, Clonlara, who had other ideas, refused to give up and dug deep within their reserves to produce a fightback, which leaves their dreams of a first All-Ireland title in this grade still intact, following a fiercely contested decider in Killeedy.
A few minutes later, Lady Luck seemed to have deserted the Clare champions when Jason Murphy’s goal attempt from a 35m free was scrambled to safety off the Conahy goal line by wing-back John Mullan.
Clonlara centre-forward William Slattery provided his side with a lifeline when he pounced to drill a low-ground ball past Andy O’Keeffe in the Conahy goal after defenders failed to clear a midfield free from Murphy.
Conahy still looked to be the more likely winners when Paul Buggy pointed to put them two points clear, two minutes into injury time. Clonlara refused to panic and their never-say-die spirit was rewarded when Murphy slotted a free between the posts and Slattery collected a pass from Michael Collins to grab the equalising point four minutes into injury time.
Clonlara fans in the crowd of a few hundred spectators were thrilled to emerge with a share of the spoils, while the Conahy contingent left somewhat deflated, having squandered a lead so late in the game.
While both sides were guilty of some errors and poor striking on occasions, they couldn’t be faulted for producing such a full-blooded contest. In fact, the overall standard for junior B, the fourth grade in adult hurling, was quite good.
Clonlara, who exceeded their own expectations by reaching the decider, performed admirably, considering the loss of a number of key players in recent weeks.
Former centre-back Brian Woods, who broke his wrist in the Munster semi-final, didn’t start and came on as a substitute after 40 minutes. Kieran Murphy and Kieran O’Meara emigrated a few weeks ago, while Alan O’Connell was suspended after the All-Ireland semi-final.
Their performance was also noteworthy considering seven of their players played their second big championship game in two days, having registered a shock win over arch rivals Cratloe in the U-21A Hurling Championship on Friday night.
Conahy Shamrocks appeared to be in the driving seat at half-time, having built up a 0-7 to 0-6 lead, despite playing into the teeth of a very strong wind.
Their strong full-forward Paul Buggy caused problems for the Clonlara full-back line in the first quarter. However, this unit settled as the game wore on with corner-backs Eoin Hackett, in particular, and Eoin Meehan making several good interceptions and clearances.
Patrick Clancy and Harry Hogan performed well in the Clonlara rearguard, Jason Murphy worked hard throughout, while, up front, Ronan Carey opened up gaps in the Conahy defence and could have finished with more than two points from play. Thomas Begley also got some good points but, overall, Clonlara relied too much on William Slattery for scores.
A brace of points from Slattery tied up proceedings at 0-3 apiece after 12 minutes before the hard-working Ronan Carey edged Clonlara in front with a well-taken point from play.
This lead proved short-lived as Paul Buggy, who looked dangerous any time he won possession, pointed from play and a free before midfielders Eoin Carroll and Gary Kavanagh cancelled out earlier points from Tom Begley and Thomas Carey to leave Conahy a point ahead at the break.
On resuming, the impressive William Slattery left the teams all square at 0-7 apiece. Twelve minutes into the second half, disaster struck for Clonlara when a speculative shot from Conor Brennan deceived Patrick Stritch and dipped with the aid of the swirling wind underneath the top corner of the net. In such a tight game, this seemed to be the turning point.
Conahy wing-back Paddy Mullan sent a 80m free between the posts to put his side five points clear for the first time, 1-9 to 0-7, in the 45th minute. The Kilkenny champions were still ahead seven minutes from the end, despite three converted frees from Jason Murphy.
Inspired by Murphy and Slattery, Clonlara survived to dig out a draw after a grandstand finish.

Clonlara: Patrick Stritch; Eoin Meehan, Fergal Marren, Eoin Hackett; Paul Barry, Patrick Clancy, Harry Hogan; Michael White, Jason Murphy; Ronan Carey, William Slattery, Michael Collins; Thomas Begley, Christopher O’Kane, Ryan Morris.
Scorers: William Slattery (1-4), Jason Murphy (0-4, 3f), Ronan Carey and Thomas Begley (0-2 each).
Subs: Brian Woods for Ryan Morris and John Barry for Christopher O’Kane.
Frees for: 10; wides: 3; 65: 0
Yellow card: Harry Horgan.

Conahy Shamrocks: Andy O’Keeffe; Colm Healy, Peter Dollard, Padraig Harding; John Mullan, Martin Fitzpatrick, Paddy Mullan; Eoin Carroll, Garry Kavanagh; Michael Bergin, Barry Murphy, Darren Leahy; Conor Brennan, Paul Buggy, David Buggy.
Scorers: Paul Buggy (0-6, 2f and 1 65), Conor Brennan (1-1), Barry Murphy (0-2), Paddy Mullan (0-1f), Garry Kavanagh and Eoin Carroll (0-1 each).
Sub: Eoin Byrne for David Buggy.
Frees for: 13; wides: 5; 65s: 2

Referee: Simon Stokes (Cork).