Feakle- Killanena amalgamation too powerful

Feakle-Killanena 4-12   Tubber 1-8

Feakle-Killanena atoned for the disappointment of losing last year’s final after a replay when they captured the U-21C Hurling Championship title at Cusack Park on Thursday evening.
While defensive errors proved costly for Tubber, who conceded a number of soft goals, the East Clare combination were the better-balanced side and deserved their success.
Interestingly, seven years ago the same clubs clashed in the U-14 final and on that occasion Tubber were victorious.
The winners had the better of the opening 20 minutes in last week’s final and at that stage they were 11 points clear, 3-3 to 0-1.
Shane McGrath had their opening goal after eight minutes and Killian Bane scored their second on the quarter-hour mark, with both goals coming as a result of defensive blunders by Tubber.
Oisín Donnellan was the winner’s third goal scorer as they went 3-3 to 0-1 in front, with the three points coming from centre-back and captain, Gary Guilfoyle.
Tubber played their best hurling in the last 10 minutes of the half when they hit 1-4 without reply, with the goal coming from a Ronan Taaffe 20m free, while Lorcan O’Grady (2f) and Taaffe had the North Clare side’s points.
At half-time, it was 3-3 to 1-5 in favour of Feakle-Killanena but given the way Tubber had finished the half, their supporters held out high hopes their side would do well when play resumed. Two points in as many minutes cut the lead to just two and Tubber looked to be on the road back.
However, they managed just one more point as Feakle-Killanena regained control and they scored 1-6 in the final 10 minutes to seal victory and win the title for the first time.
Killanena were the first winners of this championship in 1984 and they also won the title in 2001 and 2006.
Gary Guilfoyle, Shane McGrath, Eoin McMahon, Killian Bane and Eoin Tuohy did well for Killanena.
Tubber captain Paul Fogarty was his side’s best player while Shaun Naughton and Lorcan O’Grady worked hard.
After the game, Clare GAA chairman Michael O’Neill presented the cup to the winning captain, Gary Guilfoyle.

Feakle-Killanena: Eibhear Quilligan; Eoin McMahon, Pádraig Brady; Michael Noonan, Gary Guilfoyle, James Noonan; Eoin Tuohy, Martin Glynn; Colin McNamara, Todd Kelsey, Shane McGrath; Killian Bane, Oisín Donnellan;
Subs: Eoin McGuinness for M Noonan; Paul McArthur for McGuinness;  Henry Purcell for Donnellan; Evan McNamara for C McNamara and Justin Nelson for  Bane.
Scorers: Killian Bane (2-0); Shane McGrath (1-3); Gary Guilfoyle (0-4f); Oisín Donnellan (1-1), Eoin Tuohy (0-3), Henry Purcell (0-1).

Tubber: Dylan Molloy; Paul Fogarty, Barry Monahan; Adrian Nilan, Patrick O’Connor, Shaun Naughton; Lorcan O’Grady, Francis McCormack; Evan O’Donoghue, Ronan Taaffe, Aidan Forde; Kevin Fawl, Paddy O’Connor.
Sub: Neil O’Loughlin for Forde.
Scorers: Lorcan O’Gady (0-5f); Ronan Taaffe (1-2); Patrick O’Connor (0-1).

Referee: John Dolan, Clarecastle