Keating sparkles for Inagh-Kilnamona

THE domestic GAA playing season finally came to a close on Saturday with the Minor B Hurling Championship final.

Mid-Clare neighbours, Inagh-Kilnamona and Crusheen-Tubber, met at Meelick with the former recording an easier than expected 10-point win.

The foundations for the victory were laid in the opening half when they ran up a nine-point lead, which they maintained to the finish.

Having suffered disappointment a week earlier, when he scored 1-3 for the Ennistymon U-21 footballers when they lost by the minimum margin in the final, Barry Keating had reason to celebrate on this occasion. He was the game’s top scorer with 1-8 to his credit, 1-6 coming in the opening half at the end of which his side led 1-8 to 0-2.

In an effort to get back into contention, Crusheen-Tubber returned for the second half with goalkeeper Colin Vaughan, a member of the Clare minor squad this year, in their attack.

Midway through the half, they were given a great boost when Lorcan O’Grady’s free went all the way to the net. However, Inagh-Kilnamona, for whom David McCarthy was outstanding at midfield, weren’t going to let the title slip from their grasp and quickly regained control.

Corner-back Jason McCarthy converted two superb long-range frees, while Kevin Hehir also shone for the winners, who were managed by Shane Griffin, Flan Barry, Brian Foudy and Eugene Cullinan.

Lorcan O’Grady and Seán Mhaoir battled hard for the Crusheen-Tubber combination, as did Colin Vaughan when he moved outfield for the second half but Inagh-Kilnamona were the better balanced outfit and deservedly captured the title.

After the game, Martin Reynolds, chairman of Bord na nÓg, presented the trophy to the winners’ captain, Barry Keating.

Inagh-Kilnamona: Paul Keating; Jason McCarthy (0-2), Shane McInerney, John Keane; Joseph Gallagher, Kevin Hehir, Joseph Rynne; David McCarthy, Seamus Foudy (0-1); David Fitzgerald (0-1), Jamsie McConigley (0-2), Anthony O’Keeffe (0-1); Jack Garrihy, Barry Keating (1-8, 6f), Evan McNamara.
Subs: James Keane, Kevin Falvey, John McNamara and David Callinan.
Crusheen-Tubber: Colin Vaughan (Crusheen, 0-2); Mark Perrill (Crusheen), Youen Horner (Crusheen), Simon O’Donoghue (Tubber); Barry Monaghan (Tubber), Lorcan O’Grady (Tubber, 1-0), Diarmuid Guinnane (Crusheen); Luke Hayes (Crusheen), Francis McCormack (Tubber); James Howard (Tubber), Sean Mhaoir (Crusheen, 0-2), Donal McMahon (Tubber, 0-1); Ronan Monaghan (Tubber), David Kearney (Crusheen), Robbie Malone (Crusheen).
Subs: Josh Monaghan (Tubber), Cillian Droney (Tubber) and Cillian Mullins (Crusheen).
Referee: Damian Fox.