Inagh-Kilnamona no match for storming Tulla

Senior B Hurling Final

Tulla 3-14 Inagh-Kilnamona 0-17

A STORMING first quarter in which they opened a 10-point lead helped Tulla to capture the Senior B Hurling Championship at the expense of Inagh-Kilnamona at Clarecastle on Saturday last.

Tulla 3-14 Inagh-Kilnamona 0-17

A STORMING first quarter in which they opened a 10-point lead helped Tulla to capture the Senior B Hurling Championship at the expense of Inagh-Kilnamona at Clarecastle on Saturday last.
Played in glorious conditions, the physically stronger and more experienced Tulla led from the outset. While Inagh-Kilnamona did show improved form in the second half, they were never able to haul back their opponent’s lead which was built up in the opening quarter.
Ciarán Brennan struck for his first goal in the third minute when he found the net after good work by Brian Lynch. Two points each from Aidan Lynch and Brennan had the winners 1-4 ahead before Ger Arthur opened Inagh-Kilnamona’s account in the 12th minute.
Brennan struck for his second goal in the 15th minute and when Ray Stewart followed with a point, the winners were 2-7 to 0-2 in front with the game just a minute into the second quarter.
Inagh-Kilnamona did improve a little after this and had four unanswered points but Tulla replied with points from Andrew Quinn (free) and Conor O’Halloran to go to the break 2-9 to 0-7 ahead.
Hopes of an Inagh-Kilnamona revival were dashed inside the first minute of the second half when Tulla struck for their third goal. An Andrew Quinn delivery caused problems for the Inagh-Kilnamona defence and Ray Stewart nipped in to flick the ball to the net.
While the beaten finalists responded with five unanswered points, they were always chasing the game after Tulla’s third goal. Three minutes into the second half, they called on goalie Patrick Kelly to try for a goal from a 20m free but his effort was deflected behind for a 65’. Later in the half, Kelly tried for a goal from another 20m free and this time his effort was turned over the bar by Philip Brennan.
At the three-quarter stage, the score was 3-11 to 0-13 in Tulla’s favour and while Inagh-Kilnamona battled to the end, they never looked like getting the goal they needed to get back into contention for the title.
Eugene Cooney, Cian McInerney and Paul Lynch were prominent in defence for the winners while elsewhere Brian Lynch, Ciarán Brennan, in the first half, and Aidan Lynch were to the fore.
Jamie Davin, Milo Keane and Ronan O’Looney did well in defence for Inagh-Kilnamona while Ger Arthur and Dermot Gannon had their moments.
After the game, Clare GAA Irish officer Tom Burke presented the Ryan-Hannon Trophy to the winning captain, Eugene Cooney.

Tulla: Philip Brennan; Eugene Cooney, Darragh Corry, John Brennan; Cian McInerney, Paul Lynch, Mark Quinn; Brian Lynch, Conor O’Halloran; Ciaran Brennan, Andrew Quinn, Aidan Lynch; Ray Stewart, Brian Quinn, David McInerney.
Subs: Michael Murphy for B Quinn; Eanna Torpey for C Brennan; Trevor Vaughan for D McInerney.
Scorers: Ciarán Brennan (2-2); Ray Stewart (1-2), Aidan Lynch (0-3), Andrew Quinn (frees), Brian Lynch, Michael Murphy (0-2 each), Conor O’Halloran (0-1).
Frees for: 5; wides: 11.
“We got a great start. Ciarán Brennan played tremendous in the first quarter scoring two goals and the two goals were there at the end. We had the more experience and this proved important,” Jim McInerney, Tulla manager.

Inagh-Kilnamona: Patrick Kelly; Damian Lafferty, Jamie Davin, Milo Keane; Colm Pilkington, Ronan O’Looney, David Hegarty; Owen Vaughan Shane Griffin; Ger Arthur, Cathal Lafferty, Dermot Gannon; Conor Tierney, Cathal Griffin, Brian Hehir.
Subs: Haulie Vaughan for Owen Vaughan (15 minutes); Niall Arthur for C Griffin (34 minutes); Brian Foudy for Pilkington (48 minutes).
Scorers: Ger Arthur (0-9, 5f); Dermot Gannon (0-3), Brian Hehir (0-2), Patrick Kelly (free), Conor Tierney, Niall Arthur (0-1) each.
Frees for: 9; wides: 11
“They wanted it more. They were 1-5 to 0-1 up before we realised it and we were playing catch up from there on. The better team won on the day. We didn’t lie down and we fought hard in the second half and we would be happy with that aspect. It takes a lot to win a championship. We must keep working and hopefully we will get there some day,” Eugene Foudy, Inagh-Kilnamona manager.

Referee: Fergie McDonagh, St Joseph’s.