Duggan’s scoring spree vital for Clooney-Quin

Clooney-Quin 3-15   Ballyea 1-14

A strong second half showing helped Clooney-Quin secure their first win of the 2011 Senior Hurling Championship when they overcame the challenge of Ballyea at Clarecastle on Tuesday evening.
In what was a crucial tie for both sides who had lost in their opening round outings, the winners came from behind to beat a Ballyea side that will rue missed chances in the opening half when they ran up a tally of 11 wides.
Ballyea held the upperhand in the first half but a two-point advantage at the break didn’t reflect that dominance. Helped by a goal from a 20m free by Tony Kelly, they were four ahead as half time approached, and this was a more accurate reflection on the game at this time.
In the final minute of the half Clooney-Quin’s Michael Daffy burst through to strike home a powerful goal and his team found themselves just two points adrift at the halfway stage. It was a huge boost to their hopes and they built on the score in the second half.
They also availed of the opportunity to review their line up for the second half. Cillian Duggan, who has been struggling to shake off a leg injury, was introduced at centre-back and his presence helped tighten up their backline. John Earls was also introduced for the second half and he certainly made his presence felt and helped set up a number of important scores.
The first two scores of the second half came Ballyea’s way with Tony Kelly and wing-back, Cathal Doohan pointing to put them four clear again. Points were exchanged twice and as the three quarter stage approached Ballyea were still four clear.
At the mid point of this half Clooney-Quin struck another vital blow. This time Michael Daffy turned provider and created the opening for Peter Duggan to find the net and bring the teams to level terms for the fourth time in the game.
Minor star, Duggan, the game’s top scorer, then converted a 40m line ball to give his side a lead they would hold to the finish. Six minutes from time they struck the killer blow when Cathal Egan finished off a good move with their third goal.
In addition to concern about the number of wides, Ballyea will also reflect on the fact that they only managed one point in the final eighteen minutes of a contest that produced some good exchanges.
Clooney-Quin, for their part, will look at their first half performance in particular when they struggled in a number of areas. However, they didn’t show any signs of panic and played some good hurling in the second period.
Substitutes Cillian Duggan and John Earls did well as did Conor Harrison, Michael Daffy and, in particular, Peter Duggan who had a tremendous second half and who finished with a tally of 1-9.
Clare minor star Tony Kelly hit 1-6 for Ballyea for whom Brian Carigg, Cathal Doohan, Paul Flanagan and Gearóid O’Connell also did well.

Clooney-Quin: Damian O’Halloran; Shane McNamara, Conor Harrison, Joe O’Loughlin; Mike McNamara, Donnacda Murphy, Enda Harrison; Padraig Ward, Fergal Lynch; Peter Duggan, Martin Duggan, Sean Conheady; Michael Daffy, Adrian Fleming, Cathal Egan.
Subs: John Earls for Conheady (half time); Cillian Duggan for Ward (half time).
Scorers: Peter Duggan (1-9, 0-4f, 0-1 line ball); Cathal Egan (1-1); Michael Daffy (1-0); Padraig Ward (0-3, all frees); Martin Duggan (0-2).
Frees for: 10;   wides: 8
Bookings: Donnacda Murphy (24 minutes); Cillian Duggan (55 minutes).
“We were fortunate to go in at half time just two points in arrears. Our goal just before the half time whistle was a crucial score. We improved in the second half and got the goals at vital times,” Mike Corry, Clooney-Quin manager

Ballyea: Shane O’Neill; Jack Browne, Brian Carrig, Paul Flanagan; James Murphy, Paddy O’Connell, Cathal Doohan; Gearóid O’Connell, Francie O’Reilly; Tony Griffin, Niall Keane, Niall Deasy; Francie Neylon, Kevin Sheehan, Tony Kelly.
Subs: Brian Murphy for Deasy (54 minutes); Alan Carigg for P O’Connell (56 minutes).
Scorers: Tony Kelly (1-6, 1-2f); Tony Griffin, Niall Keane (0-2 each); Cathal Doohan, Niall Deasy, Francie Neylon (0-1 each).
Frees for: 13;   wides: 16
Bookings: Niall Deasy (24 minutes); Gearóid O’Connell (51 minutes); Paddy O’Connell (53 minutes); James Murphy (59 minutes).
“It was in the first half more than the second that we lost this game but we still had the chances fifteen minutes into the second half to win it. Fair play to Clooney. They got the scores and pushed on. We can’t have any complaints really,” Michael Hehir, Ballyea

Referee: Tom Stackpool, Ennistymon.