Grady and Halpin inspire Crusheen- Tubber win

Crusheen-Tubber   2-1    Corofin 1-9
The Crusheen-Tubber combination captured the minor B shield title when they overcame Corofin in a hard-fought final in Clarecastle on Saturday afternoon. Conditions were perfect for hurling and the sides didn’t disappoint as they battled for the title.

Corofin’s influential Gearóid Kelly did not start due to injury and while he was introduced for the second half, his absence in the opening period was a blow to his side in a game that highlighted plenty of rivalry and tension between the neighbouring sides.
Colin Vaughan, who dominated in the final quarter, opened the scoring for Crusheen-Tubber. Corofin’s Jason McCarthy was on hand to deny Crusheen-Tubber joint captain Rory Halpin from scoring a goal after eight minutes. Lorcan O’Grady and Declan Stack exchanged scores, with Corofin sharpshooter Stack particularly effective over the hour from placed balls.
At the end of the opening quarter Crusheen-Tubber had moved into a commanding lead of 1-4 to 0-1, with the goal coming from Halpin. Lorcan O’Grady and Evan O’Donoghue added points.
Corofin needed scores to get into contention as Crusheen-Tubber threatened to end the game as a contest before half-time. This appeared likely two minutes later when Evan O’Donoghue blasted a second goal as his side went nine clear.
Corofin finished the half better and with Crusheen-Tubber conceding a lot of frees, the losers got back into contention. Donnacha Egan got the final touch to a goalmouth melee for Corofin’s only goal as Stack and Liam Corbett added points to leave the winners 2-5 to 1-4 ahead at the break.
Corofin started the second half in purposeful fashion and had three points on the board after just four minutes to be just the minimum behind their opponents as Gearóid Kelly was now on the field of play.
Scores were hard to come by for the next 15 minutes and by the 50th minute Crusheen were ahead, 2-7 to 1-8, with O Grady on target for his side. Try as they might, Corofin could not score the goal their efforts deserved and with Crusheen strong on the counter attack they struck points from the magnificent O’Grady (2), substitute Donal McMahon and Sean Weir to seal a comfortable five-point win.
Best for the winners were Youen Horner, Anthony Rodgers, Mark Perrill, Paddy O’Connor in the second half, Rory Halpin, Evan O’Donoghue, Lorcan O’Grady and Colin Vaughan. Corofin had solid displays from Declan Stack, Paul Carkill, Manus Malone, Eoin Clancy, Luke Conroy and Liam Corbett.
After the game the chairman of Bord na nÓg Iomaint, Martin Reynolds, presented the shield to joint captains Rory Halpin and Paddy O’Connor.

Crusheen-Tubber: Dylan Naughton; Mark Perill, Youen Horner, Anthony Rodgers; Barry Monahan, Paddy O’Connor, Francis McCormack; Kevin Fawl, Rory Halpin (1-0); Sean Weir (0-1), Evan O’Donoghue (1-2), Aidan Forde; Lorcan O’Grady (0-6), Neil O’Loughlin, Colin Vaughan (0-1).
Subs: Donal McMahon (0-1), Luke Hayes.
Corofin: Jason McCarthy; Paul Carkill, Luke Conroy, Niall Heagney; Jack Hayes, Manus Malone, Eoin Clancy; Oisín Long, Declan Stack (0-7); Dean Fitzgerald, Jamie Malone, Donnacha Egan (1-0); Jonathan Lane, David Corbett, Liam Corbett (0-1).
Subs: Gearóid Kelly (0-1), Eoin Davoren.
Referee: Fergus McDonagh, St Joseph’s.