Conaghy Shamrocks, Kilkenny 0-11
Clonlara 0-9

Clonlara’s remarkable 21-match unbeaten run in three Junior B Hurling competitions ended in cruel circumstances after a dramatic finish to an absorbing replay.

Kilkenny champions Conaghy Shamrocks were thrilled and relieved to emerge with two points to spare after escaping with a late let-off in the All-Ireland Junior B Hurling decider.
There could have been a fairytale ending to Clonlara’s great run, including 20 wins and one draw in the Clare league and championship and All-Ireland series and one draw, instead of one heartbreaking narrow defeat.
Three minutes into injury time, Clonlara full-forward Christopher O’Kane was pulled down inside the square for what appeared to be a clear-cut penalty. Instead, referee, Paddy Ivors waved play on, apparently opting to allow Clonlara a dubious advantage, which proved fruitless as Conaghy defenders cleared the ball just before the final whistle.
Clonlara manager Jim Gully felt his charges deserved to be awarded a penalty, which ultimately could have been the defining moment.
Regardless of whether or not Clonlara would have scored the penalty if given, this strange refereeing decision left some room for argument and created plenty of after-match discussion particularly amongst the Clonlara supporters leaving Killeedy on Sunday.
After over 142 minutes of entertaining hurling, no one would have complained if this titanic struggle, which saw the sides level on five occasions, went to extra-time.
Leaving the penalty decision aside, Conaghy Shamrocks,  the third Kilkenny champions to capture the Killeedy Cup, were arguably marginally the better side.
Conaghy could afford the luxury of registering 11 wides compared to Clonlara’s four, illustrating their failure to convert good scoring opportunities into scores.
However, Conaghy also found it a little easier to notch up points from play and created two good scoring chances, which only yielded one point from a resulting 65’.
The best goal-scoring chance fell to substitute David Buggy, who forced Clonlara custodian Patrick Stritch to produce a superb save 15 minutes into the second half. Two minutes from normal time, a powerful drive from Michael Bergin was deflected for a 65’ following another good save by Stritch, which free-taker Paul Buggy converted.
A minute into injury time, substitute Conor Buggy brought a loud cheer from the Conaghy contingent when he split the posts to put his side two points clear. That’s how it ended after Clonlara’s last-ditch attempt failed to yield a goal or a penalty.
Even though Clonlara won plenty of possession their forwards were guilty of over elaboration and too much solo-runs when a more direct approach by shooting for points from longer distances would have been a better approach against a physically stronger Conaghy defence.
Some superb defending, particularly in the second half, played a key role in Conaghy’s victory. Last week, William Slattery provided Clonlara with a lifeline, finishing with an impressive tally of 1-4. This time, however, Martin Fitzpatrick limited him to just one point from play. Peter Dollard and John Mullan also excelled while Garry Kavanagh worked tirelessly in midfield.
Barry Murphy, who notched four points from play, was their best performer up front while Paul Buggy looked dangerous any time he won possession.
Clonlara corner-back Eoin Meehan was having the game of his life until he was forced to retire with a serious eye injury before half-time. Patrick Clancy, Harry Horgan and Paul Barry also defended well in their half-back line.
Michael White (18) played like a veteran in midfield dropping back to help the defence when necessary and working tirelessly throughout. Ronan Carey opened gaps in the Conaghy rearguard with solo runs, which weren’t translated into scores while Ryan Morris tried extremely hard, winning some vital frees.
Centre-forward William Slattery also kept battling and ran back 40m to hook Garry Kavanagh before the interval, which resulted in a Thomas Begley point at the other end. This was cancelled out by a Paul Buggy free to leave Clonlara 0-6 to 0-4 ahead at the break.
Aided by a strong breeze, Clonlara led for most of the opening half thanks mainly to points from Jason Murphy and Ryan Morris-converted frees. In the sixth minute, Jason Murphy’s goal attempt from a 35m free was parried by Paddy Mullan before William Slattery followed up to split the posts.
On resuming, Conaghy drew level following points from Paul Buggy (free) and Barry Murphy before a brace from the latter and another converted Buggy free edged them a point in front six minutes before normal time. Jason Murphy equalised from a free before late points from Paul and Conor Buggy proved decisive in a dramatic finish.

Conaghy Shamrocks: Andy O’Keeffe; Colm Healy, (capt) Peter Dollard, Padraig Harding; John Mullan, Martin Fitzpatrick, Paddy Mullan; Eoin Carroll, Garry Kavanagh; Michael Bergin, Barry Murphy, Ian Kavanagh; Conor Brennan, Paul Buggy, Darren Leahy.
Scorers: Paul Buggy (0-6, 0-5f, 0-1 65’), Barry Murphy (0-4), Conor Duggan (0-1).
Sub: David Buggy (half-time) for Conor Brennan, Conor Duggan (54 mins) for Michael Bergin.
Yellow cards: Paul Buggy, (24 mins), Barry Murphy (33 mins) Peter Dollard (59 mins).
Frees: 10; wides: 11; 65s: 1

Clonlara: Patrick Stritch; Eoin Meehan, Fergal Marren, Eoin Hackett; Paul Barry, Patrick Clancy, Harry Hogan; Michael White, Jason Murphy (capt); Ronan Carey, William Slattery, Michael Collins; Thomas Begley, Christopher O’Kane, Ryan Morris.
Scorers: Ryan Morris (0-4f), Jason Murphy (0-2f), Michael White, William Slattery, Thomas Begley (0-1, each).
Sub: Brian Woods (27 mins) for Eoin Meehan, (eye injury).
Yellow card: Eoin Meehan (24 mins).
Frees: 10; wides: 4; 65s: 0

Referee: Simon Stokes (Cork).

Conaghy forwards were ‘cuter’, says Healy

There were no prizes for guessing the victors and vanquished after a dramatic finish to the All-Ireland Junior B hurling final replay.
Clonlara players slumped to the ground in despair while Conaghy Shamrocks hugged each other with sheer delight to celebrate their two-point victory.
Diarmuid Healy, who guided Offaly to a historic Leinster SHC success over his native Kilkenny in 1980 and their All-Ireland title in 1985, felt Conaghy’s attack helped them to shade the issue.
“The Conaghy defence played very well, particularly in the second-half where they showed great heart. Both sides produced brilliant hurling. Clonlara were very impressive but Conaghy were probably a bit cuter up front and got the vital scores at the right time.
“The drawn game was very good but today’s game was even better. I suppose the conditions were better and that contributed to a better game.
“Winning an All-Ireland is a rare occurrence and is very much cherished,” he said.
Conaghy manager, Peter Mulhall, admitted the title meant an awful lot to “a small intermediate club”.
“Our full-back line absorbed a lot of pressure in the first half. We probably were a little stronger in defence. However, there was nothing between the two teams out there – only a puck of a ball.
“Clonlara were very strong down the middle and their right-half forward, Ronan Carey was a very good hurler as well. We knew what we had to do coming down today.
“We were hoping that the game would not go to extra-time because Clonlara seemed to be a bit fitter. We are thrilled to bits to win an All-Ireland title,” he said.
Clonlara manager Jim Gully was gracious in defeat and didn’t make excuses. However, he felt the battling spirit shown by the team deserved a penalty when full-forward Christopher O’Kane was fouled inside the square.
“I thought we were entitled to a penalty with the last attack. Christopher O’Kane was fouled inside the square. The referee said he gave us an advantage, but a man down the ground is no advantage. Having said that, referees don’t decide matches.
“It would have been the defining moment. If we had scored we would have won and if we hadn’t Conaghy would have survived.
“Even Conaghy thought it was going to be a penalty and was going to decide the match one way or the other. These things go with you one day, against you another day. We will go back to Clonlara, lick our wounds, have a few pints and it will feel better tomorrow,” he said.
Gully admitted Clonlara wasted a number of good scoring chances in the second half when they opted to lay off another pass rather than taking their points.
“If we had stayed ahead, it would have kept the pressure on Conaghy. Once Conaghy went ahead we were under pressure to get scores. You are inclined to go for a goal when you are behind instead of a point,” he explained.
Acknowledging Clonlara custodian, Patrick Stritch hadn’t a great game last week, Jim noted he showed great character by coming back this week and showing why they thought so highly of him.
Having won three Junior B trophies in the parish, league, championship and Munster championship, Gully is proud of their success. “It would have been nice to have finished off the year by winning this final. I wouldn’t mind having a go at winning the Junior A Clare hurling title, which would be consolation for losing this one,” he said.
“For the last two years we have been in the Junior A League final and lost to Crusheen who went on to win the Junior A championship and played very well at intermediate level.
“I think a lot of teams felt that Clonlara were way ahead of any team in the Junior B championship and no team came within 15 points of us. We are a Junior A team. I would still like to win that Junior A championship as it is 40 years since it was in the club,” he added.
He praised Clonlara’s Michael White, who is just out of the minor ranks for showing how any great midfielder should play and noted Eoin Meehan, who got a bad eye injury before the interval, still wanted to come back on at half-time.
“With that kind of spirit and determination, the club is going in the right direction,” he concluded.