Michael O’ Connor was on hand to watch Corofin/Ruan eke out victory over O’Callaghan’s Mills/Bodyke in the Under 17B Academy final on a score of 2-14 to 2-9

AS the Under 17 hurling seasons is nearing conclusion this was a gem of a game in Tubber on Tuesday night. The rainy season was welcomed by all as a stronger balanced Corofin/Ruan side had to withstand a strong last quarter fightback by a Mills/Bodyke side that would have won the game with more consistency in the third quarter.

The expectation was a Corofin/Ruan as they appeared physically stronger than their East Clare opponents, but it was Michael O’ Brien who stunned followers with a second minute goal for Mills/Bodyke. It was the start they needed. Colm Breen for Corofin/Ruan and Kyle Touhy with a well taken Mills/Bodyke point were on target by the 6th minute.

Corofin/Ruan who were clearly agitated by the efforts of their opponents set to work and successful efforts from Eoin Carroll (2), Jack Keane, Colm Breen and top scorer for the winners James Cullinan left Corofin/Ruan (0-6) to (1-1) ahead, and all after just 11 minutes.

There was a fear for Mills/Boydke that a onslaught of scores would be visited on them by Corofin/Ruan but they were resolute in their defence and let in just three points in the subsequent 12 minutes from James Cullinan (2) and a superb score from Danny McGroary out on the wing from 70 metres.

The final five minutes of the first half was dominated by Mills/Bodyke and they suffered for seven wides in the second quarter. The final two scores went to Michael O’ Brien as Mills/Bodyke went in at the break (0-9) to (1-3) in arrears.

The decisive score of the day went to Corofin/Ruan two minutes after the restart as early pressure from the winners caught Mills/Bodyke on the backfoot as Danny McGroary hit the net to jump six points clear.

The introduction of 14-year-old Liam Murphy kickstarted a positive revival in the fortunes of his side. He pointed with his first touch in the 38th minute and soon after added a second to reduce the Corofin/Ruan lead to four points.

James Cullinan (2) and Jack Keane steadied their cause with three points before Michael O’ Brien pulled two back as his side badly required a goal for all their play as Corofin/Ruan led (1-12) to (1-7).

The hard-working half forward line of Cullinan, McGroary and Breen was central to all that was positive for the winners and when Corofin/Ruan net minder Jack Crowe drove over a free from inside his own half it appeared game, set and match for Corofin/Ruan.

Instead of driving home their advantage Corofin/Ruan fell in defensive mode and were lucky not to let in three goals. Michael O’ Brien set over a point. A Michael O’ Brien penalty was saved by Jack Crowe before James Cullinan sent over a 65. Liam Murphy sent a free wide before scoring his third point.

Michael O’ Brien hit the Corofin/Ruan net in the 59th minute and now just two points was the difference. One last attack by the winners saw Jack Keane score the winning goal and indeed Corofin/Ruan were fortunate to hit goals when needed most especially the one after half time that gave them a six-point cushion.

Best for the winners included Jack Crowe, Liam Seamus Ryan, Seamus O’ Sullivan, Joshua Fitzgerald, Colm Breen, Danny McGroary, James Cullinan and Jack Keane.

Had Mills/Bodyke started Liam Murphy it might have been a different final 10 minutes. Michael O’ Brien was a strong target man up front and was assisted well by Killian Boland, Dan Burke, Oran Counihan, Brian Quigley, Kyly Touhy and Cormac Keane.

Following the game Neil O’ Brien presented the Shield to joint Corofin/Ruan captains Seamus O’ Sullivan and Joshuan Fitzgerald.

Corofin/Ruan: Jack Crowe, Daniel Guinnane, Liam Fitzpatrick, Jack White, Donal McInerney, Seamus Ryan, Seamus O’ Sullivan, Joshua Fitzgerald, Colm Breen, Darragh McGroary, James Cullinan, Eoin Carroll, Ben Kelly, Cillian McInerney, Jack Keane. Subs: Dara McDonagh, Kristan Steigerwald. Scorers: James Cullinan (0-6), Jack Keane (1-2), Darragh McGroary (1-1), Eoin Carroll, Colm Breen (0-2) each, Jack Crowe (0-1).

O’Callaghans Mills/Bodyke: Cormac Doyle, Jack Moloney, Dan Burke, Rhys Flower, Ronan Fitzmaurice, Oran Counihan, Martin Bon, Killian Boland, Cormac Keane, Brian Quigley, Conor Walsh, Kyle Touhy, Donnacha Dobson, Michael O’ Brien, Thomas Molloy. Subs: Liam Murphy, Oscar Dowling, Edan Buckley. Scorers: Michael O’ Brien (2-5), Liam Murphy (0-3), Kyle Touhy (0-1).

Referee: Ger Hoey (Killanena)