Late goal opens the door for Clooney-Quin

Clooney-Quin 2-12
St Joseph’s 1-14

FOR the second evening in succession, Cusack Park was the scene of a grandstand finish in an U-21 Hurling Championship tie as Clooney-Quin captured the club’s first ever title at this level when they beat St Joseph’s last Saturday.

Trailing by two points with the game in the final minute of normal time, they launched an attack in search of a goal. That chance looked to have gone when substitute Gary Hogan saw his pile driver rebound off the crossbar. The ball fell to full-forward, Joe Clune, however, and he managed to find the net.
Two minutes of additional time followed but St Joseph’s were unable to create another opportunity and the final whistle sparked off great celebrations amongst the Clooney-Quin players, mentors and supporters.
Playing against a strong wind in the first half, they dictated matters for much of the half and a Peter Duggan goal from a 20m free in the ninth minute gave them a lead they held until the 20th minute. Indeed for much of the first half, they had the better of matters but two minutes from the half-time whistle, St Joseph’s, the pre-match favourites, were awarded a 22m free and goalkeeper Mikey Roseingrave was called up and he duly justified the decision of the mentors when blasting to the net.
The goal helped the Doora-Barefield outfit to a three-point interval lead with the score standing at 1-8 to 1-5.
The general feeling amongst the spectators at this stage was that this lead would not be sufficient, such was the strength of the wind but St Joseph’s had the better of matters in the third quarter by which time they had stretched their lead to four points, 1-12 to 1-9.
With Ryan Taylor winning a lot of possession around midfield for the new champions, they piled on the pressure and accounted for the next three scores to leave just the minimum between the sides entering the final 10 minutes.
Two David Conroy points at either side of a Peter Duggan free left St Joseph’s 1-14 to 1-12 in front with two minutes remaining. It was end-to-end stuff at this stage and Clooney-Quin got the vital break in the final minute of normal time and full-forward Joe Clune capitalised.
St Joseph’s tried to get upfield in search of an equalising point but Ruairi McNamara dominated at centre-back and he got great support from Ritchie Hennessy and Ryan Taylor as Clooney-Quin held on.
In addition to those mentioned, Luke Harrisson, Peter Duggan, Jimmy Corry and Joe Clune made important contributions to an historic night for the club.
Alan O’Neill was a tower of strength at centre-back for St Joseph’s, while Jarlath Colleran, David Conroy, Shane O’Connor and Niall De Loughrey were others to work hard on the evening.
After the game, Clare GAA treasurer Bernard Keane presented the trophy to the winning captain Seamus Conroy.

Clooney-Quin: Keith Hogan; John Hennessy, Brian McInerney, Liam Henchy; Ritchie Hennessy, Ruairi McNamara, Daniel Reddan; Ryan Taylor, John Reynolds; Luke Harrisson, Peter Duggan, Shane Dubban; Jimmy Corry, Joe Clune, Seamus Conroy (capt).
Subs: Gary Hogan for S Duggan (36 minutes), Barry Ryan for J Hennessy (47 minutes); Conor Clune for Harrisson (60 minutes).
Scorers: Peter Duggan (1-9, 1-8f); Joe Clune (1-3).
Frees for: 14; wides:7.
Bookings: Ruairi McNamara (12 minutes), John Hennessy (42 minutes), Peter Duggan (52 minutes).

St Joseph’s: Mikey Roseingrave; Fionn O’Carroll, Brian Clancy, Darragh Murphy (capt); Conor Lyons, Alan O’Neill, Eamonn Clohessy; Jarlath Colleran, David Conroy; Leo Duggan, Niall De Loughrey, Ion Lyons; Cathal Duggan, Aaron Landy, Shane O’Connor.
Subs: Donal O’Halloran for Landy (41 minutes); David Clancy for I Lyons (50 minutes).
Scorers: Shane O’Connor (0-6, 4f); Alan O’Neill (0-3, all frees); Mikey Roseingrave (1-0, free); David Conroy, Cathal Duggan (0-2 each); Niall De Loughrey (0-1).
Frees for: 18; wides: 13; 65s: 1.
Bookings: Leo Duggan (15 minutes), Alan O’Neill (23 minutes); Ian Lyons (29 minutes); Conor Lyons (49 minutes).

Referee: Ger Lyons, Ruan.