One-way traffic for Inagh-Kilnamona

Inagh-Kilnamona 4-17    Sixmilebridge 0-1
For the first time in the 43-year history of the Féile na nGael hurling competition, Inagh-Kilnamona will represent Clare in the national event.

 

At Clarecastle on Saturday last they proved much too strong for Sixmilebridge and, as the scoreline indicates, it was no contest.

The hot favourites justified the rating with an impressive display of fast, skilful hurling and they were well on their way to the title when they led 2-6 to 0-1 at half-time.

In fairness to Sixmilebridge, it must be said their chances weren’t helped by the absence of centre-back Cillian Custy due to illness and forward Paul Corry due to suspension.

That said, however, there can be no arguments as to the result as Inagh-Kilnamona dominated in all sectors. They had a goal disallowed in the opening minutes but they were in front in the fifth minute when captain David Mescall pointed.

Ian Kerin and Mescall followed with points before they combined for Kerin to score the game’s opening goal.

Cian McInerney came up from centre-back to convert a penalty and while play was allowed to continue when the ball rebounded into play, the score was allowed after the umpire and the referee consulted.

Sixmilebridge got on the scoresheet in the 20th minute when Tiernan Agnew converted a 35m free. It was to be their only score, although Agnew had the ball in the Inagh-Kilnamona net in the second half, only to be called back and a penalty awarded. His effort for a goal from the free was saved.

The second half was one-way traffic and the destination of the Brendan Keane Memorial Cup was clear long before the final whistle.

Team captain, David Mescall goaled 13 seconds into the new period to kill off any slim hopes that the ’Bridge might have had of getting back into contention. The remaining goal came from substitute Thomas Barry, three minutes from the end.

Cian McInerney, Matthew Davenport Eamonn Foudy and David Mescall led the way for the winners while Mark Gaule and Tiernan Agnew were best for the losers.

After the game, Bord na nÓg chairman Martin Reynolds complimented all involved and wished Inagh-Kilnamona well at the national finals, to be held in Limerick in July. The cup was presented to the winning captain, David Mescall by Damian Keane, son of the late Brendan.

Inagh-Kilnamona: Eamonn Foudy; Jason Griffin, Keith White, Conor Leyden; Aidan McCarthy, Cian McInerney, Darren Cullinan; Eoin Fitzgerald, Cillian Roughan; Matthew Davenport, David Mescall (capt), Cian Shannon; Sean Clancy, Ian Kerin, Marc Barry.
Subs: Shane Wynne for Griffin, Evan Howley for Shannon, Thomas Barry for Clancy, Barry Rynne for Barry and Pádraig Devitt for Leyden.
Scorers: David Mescall (1-7), Matthew Davenport (0-4), Ian Kerin (1-1), Cian McInerney, Thomas Barry (1-0) each, Eoin Fitzgerald (0-2), Cillian Roughan, Cian Shannon, Marc Barry (0-1) each.
Sixmilebridge: Eric Purcell; Cathal Roche, Mark Gaule, Ethan Slater; Lorcan Fitzpatrick, Jake Dineen, Jordan Downes; Tiernan Agnew, Eanna Chaplin; Adam Merriman, Christopher Carey, Gavin McGonagall; Ciaran Hassett, Conor Hassett and Pádraig Hassett.
Subs: Ben Browne for Dineen (inj), Shane Freeman for P Hassett, Fionn Mac Giolla Ceanna for McGonagall, John Hogan for C Hassett and James Holloway for Merriman.
Scorers: Tiernan Agnew (0-1).
Referee: Joe O’Donnell, Cratloe.