Feakle-Killanena fight back to draw

A draw was a fair result in what proved to be a hugely entertaining U-21C hurling championship final played at sun-splashed Dr Daly Park in Tulla on Saturday afternoon.

Parteen followers may feel that their side should have won the title as they led by eight points at one stage and missed a couple of good scoring opportunities in the second half but the manner in which Feakle-Killanena fought back earned them a deserved second opportunity.
Feakle-Killanena had sought to have the game deferred because of the fact that some of their players were overseas on a school tour but their application didn’t succeed. As a result they went into the game without Padraig Brady, scorer of four goals in their semi-final win over Sixmilebridge.
In addition, they were forced into a late change when Shane McGrath was unable to start due to illness. However, he was introduced at half-time and went on to play a vital part in the team’s fight back, contributing 1-3 to their final tally.
They started well and had two early points from Gary Guilfoyle, the first from a ’65. Darragh Yelverton opened Parteen’s account in the third minute with a good point before Noel Bridgeman struck for the game’s first goal when he shot low into the corner of the net to give Parteen the lead in the fourth minute.
Nine scoreless minutes followed before Bridgeman struck again for his and Parteen’s second goal. Parteen were enjoying the better of proceedings at this time but Feakle-Killanena kept in touch with points from Gary Guilfoyle (free) and Ronan McGuinness.
Like scores from Padraic O’Connor and Matthew McSweeney were followed by a Sean Quinn goal that came after Bridgeman’s free rebounded off the upright and this put the South East Clare club eight points clear with five minutes remaining in the half. A brace from Gary Guilfoyle cut the margin to six by the break when the score was 3-3 to 0-6.
Feakle-Killanena started the second half as they had finished the first and points from Ronan McGuinness and Declan Noonan cut the margin to four. Noel Bridgeman and Brian McSweeney replied with like scores but as the half wore on, the amalgamation side took a grip on proceedings.
As the third quarter drew to a close, a move involving Declan Noonan and Stephen Moloney ended with Shane McGrath shooting to the net.
Within a minute Parteen had the ball in the net at the other end through David Small but referee Martin Kennedy had blown for a free out. Feakle-Killanena went back down the field and, in the space of a minute, Noonan and McGrath had points to level the tie, 3-5 to 1-11
Ten scoreless minutes followed during which both sides missed opportunities. Darragh Yelverton goaled for Parteen with four minutes remaining, the team looked to be on their way to victory and their first title at this level.
Feakle-Killanena, also chasing their first success at this level (Killanena have won the title on three occasions) came storming back and three points in two minutes from Colin Nelson and Gary Guilfoyle frees, levelled the tie with a minute of normal time remaining.
There had been a number of stoppages during the second half due to injuries and eight minutes of ‘additional time’ were signalled.
Parteen went back in front when Noel Bridgeman converted a free but Shane McGrath levelled from a 20m free in the 35th minute of the half. As the game ticked into the final minute of the additional eight, Bridgeman converted another free but, straight from the puck out, Feakle-Killanena won a 30m free and McGrath again converted to level the tie for the fourth and final time.
Colin Nelson who went to centre forward for the closing stages of the game, did well throughout for Feakle-Killanena who also had fine performances from Gary Guilfoyle, their top scorer with 0-7, Declan Noonan, particularly in the second half, Martin Glynn and substitute Shane McGrath.
Martin Moroney, Darragh Yelverton, James Long and Noel Bridgeman did well for Parteen. The replay is scheduled for Dr Daly Park on this Friday.
Feakle-Killanena: Eibhear Quilligan; Killian Bane, Martin Glynn; Henry Purcell, Colin Nelson, Michael Noonan; Colin McNamara, Ronan McGuinness; Declan Noonan, Gary Guilfoyle, Paul McArthur; Stephen Moloney, Gavin Fox.
Sub: Shane McGrath for Fox (half time).
Scorers: Gary Guilfoyle (0-7), 2 ‘65’s, 4 frees; Shane McGrath (1-3), 0-2 frees; Declan Noonan (0-3) Ronan McGuinness (0-2) Colin Nelson (0-1), free.
Parteen: Eoin Kelly; Jason Smyth, Philip Lavin; Gearoid Cox, Martin Moroney, Matthew McSweeney; Darragh Yelverton, Pauric O’Connor; Brian McSweeney, James Long, Sean Quinn; David Small, Noel Bridgeman.
Sub: Cian McCarthy for Cox (52 minutes)
Scorers: Noel Bridgeman (2-3), 0-2 frees; Darragh Yelverton (1-1), Sean Quinn (1-0)  Matthew McSweeney, Pauric O’Connor, Brian McSweeney (0-1) each.
Referee: Martin Kennedy, Kilmaley.