McLoughlin’s late strike seals the deal

O’Callaghan’s Mills-Bodyke 2-8    Cratloe 2-7

In a most entertaining U-14A Hurling Championship final at Sixmilebridge on Friday evening, the O’Callaghan’s Mills-Bodyke amalgamation emerged with a one-point win over Cratloe.
Both sides were chasing their first success at this level, with the Bodyke-O’Callaghan’s Mills combination in their first year in competition.
Cratloe got the better start when Billy Connors had a goal after just 20 seconds. Jack Danaher followed with a point and Cratloe led 1-1 to 0-0 after five minutes.
It would be another 16 minutes before Cratloe would get their next score; in the meantime, the East Clare combination had 1-2 from Ian Murray.
Connors, Michael Danaher and Jack McInerney hit back with Cratloe points but a further brace from Murray left the sides deadlocked at the break at 1-4 each. 
Ben McLoughlin scored two excellent points for the eventual winners in the first and sixth minutes of the second half. Gary Cooney goaled in the 10th minute to help the new champions open a five-point gap.
Cratloe came fighting back and when Aaron Gaule goaled in the 15th minute it was really game on. Cratloe kept the pressure on but a resolute O’Callaghan’s Mills/Bodyke defence held firm as Tom Lynch played a captain’s part at full-back. When Gaule pointed in the 27th minute, a draw was a real possibility. However, when the ball broke to McLoughlin in the 30th minute, his shot went over the bar to one of the loudest roars heard in Sixmilebridge for a while.
Cratloe tried hard to get back on terms but despite their best efforts, time wasn’t on their side and when the final whistle sounded, O’Callaghan’s Mills-Bodyke followers had reason to celebrate.

O’Callaghan’s Mills/Bodyke: Killian Nugent; Cathal Doyle, Tom Lynch (capt) Sean Pearl; Michael Cotter, Cian Minogue, Oran Treacy; Oisín Slattery, Sean Murphy; Ben McLoughlin, Ian Murray, Paul Kelleher; Liam O’Donnell, Sean McInerney, Gary Cooney.
Scorers: Ian Murray (1-5, 3f); Ben McLoughlin (0-3); Gary Cooney (1-0).
Sub: Jack Minogue for McInerney.
Cratloe: Conor Hallissey; Emmet Costigan, Aaron Costigan, Rian Considine; Enda O’Connor, Michael Danaher, Killian Arthur; Conor McMahon, Ciaran O’Connor; Gordon O’Neill, Jack Danaher, Jack McInerney; Diarmuid Ryan, Evan Gaule, Billy Connors.
Scorers: Aaron Gaule 1-3 (2f); Billy Connors (1-1); Jack McInerney, Michael Danaher, Jack Danaher (0-1) each.
Sub: Kyle Neylon for Ryan.