Strength tells for St Joseph’s in quality final

St Joseph’s Tulla……2-11 St Flannans (A-K)…….1-10

Anyone holding ambitions of county minor management in 2026/27 was upgrading their CV at 12.30pm on Friday last following a high-quality final between two even sides that showed admirable fielding skills and increased levels of motivation as the game progressed.
The Clare post-primary GAA season ended in stunning sunshine at Cusack Park five short days since 18,000 people hurled every ball and enjoyed a post-game disco. This time it was two sides that will by the end of the decade provide a sizable minority of the Clare senior panel that engaged in this year’s encounter.
Noticeable prior to the game was the physical power advantage that existed in favour of the East Clare school. The opening salvo of the game was fired over the bar by St Joseph’s centre back Cian Maxted before the towering presence of Paddy Murphy added a second score with just four minutes played at headquarters. Had the winners lost the tie they would have pointed to a succession of wides in first quarter with Murphy hitting three in five minutes. Banner native Conor Coffey, who was the star, turn for the Ennis school was on hand for his sides first score before a remarkable solo effort from Marcas Fitzpatrick left St Joseph’s (3-1) ahead after 11 minutes. Paddy Murphy made it four but three points from Coffey had the sides level with a spectacular hat trick in four minutes.
Isaac Hassett was denied a goal by Jamie Moroney in the Tulla goal before Oisin Considine and Tom Hegarty were on hand to level matters at (0-5) each after 20 fast paced minutes action. The hard -working Shane Dilleen was playing deep for St Flannan’s as James O’ Donnell and Dilleen exchanged scores after 23 minutes. Paddy Murphy gave Tulla a short-lived lead in the 24th minute before Tom Hegarty broke through two tackles and hit the Tulla net to give Flannan’s a two-point lead that was cut in half by the final score of the first half from Paddy Murphy. Half time St Flannan’s (1-6) St Joseph’s Tulla (0-8).

Nikki Belenko was catching the eye at midfield as Paddy Murphy struck for his fourth point two minutes into the second half to level proceedings as St Flannan’s introduced Evan Cusack and Rian Conway for the second half. A defining moment of the game that stunned Flannan’s and gave an energy boost to Tulla came with the first Tulla goal from James O’Donnell to race three clear. Tom Hegarty pulled one back for St Flannan’s as did Conor Coffey. Tulla were now one clear but looking strong in defence. Oscar Brigdale was the far busier netminder and he coped well with a number of efforts that came his way and St Joseph’s were actually unlucky not to score a second goal between the 40th and 50th minutes.
The second goal did happen as Paddy Murphy’s effort was blocked out by Brigdale into the onrushing Considine who first timed old style to the net. St Josephs’ were now four clear and Flannan’s were on the ropes. Nikki Belenko and Considine turned the screw with two points in two minutes to open up a six-point advantage.
The final five minutes were attack minded moments by St Flannan’s and they were indeed unfortunate not to have a goal, but all their endeavours yielded just a brace of scores from Issac Hassett and Shane Dilleen as St Joseph’s held out for a merited four-point success for their third title in a decade. The last time they tasted success one Adam Hogan was to the fore along with other county u20s and last Sunday he was central to the Clare senior hurling win.
The winners were led with distinction by Eoin Shanahan, Paddy McPartland, Cian Maxted, Odhran Perrill, Nikki Belenko, James O’Donnell, Paddy Murphy and Oisin Considine. St Flannan’s struggled with the central power of the winners, but the efforts of Conor Coffey, Tadgh Hassett Shane Dilleen, Oscar Brigdale, Issac Hassett, Tom Hegarty, Sean Coll and Michael Kelly must be recorded. Following the game the post primary first year cup was presented to St Joseph’s Tulla joint captain Eoin Shanahan and Marcas Fitzpatrick by vice chairperson Clare GAA Michael O’ Connor

St Joseph’s, Tulla: Jamie Moroney (O C Mills), Darragh Walshe (Feakle), Eoin Shanahan (O C Mills), Oisin Slattery (O C Mills), Paddy McPartland (Tulla), Cian Maxted (Clooney/Quin), Odhran Perrill (Crusheen), Nicke Belenko (Tulla), James O’ Donnell (Broadford), Morgan Culloo (Tulla), Patrick Murphy (Tulla), Marcas Fitzpatrick (Clooney/Quin), Brian Conheady (Tulla), Oisin Considine (Clooney/Quin) Donnacha Lenihan (O C Mills). Subs: Mark Hogan (Feakle) for Considine, John Power (Broadford) for Culloo, Lorcan Collins (O C Mills) for Conheady

Scorers: Paddy Murphy (0-5), Oisin Considine (1-2), James O’ Donnell (1-1), Marcas Fitzpatrick, Nikki Belenko (0-1) each

St Flannan’s College: Oscar Brigdale (Crusheen), James Canny (Clooney/Quin), Michael Kelly (St Josephs), Sean Coll (St Josephs), Oran Duignan (Banner), Sean Kelly (Clarecastle), Sean Daly (Kilmaley), Tadgh Hassett (Inagh/Kilnamona), Isaac Hassett (Clooney/Quin), Sean Garvey (St Josephs), Shane Dilleen (St Josephs), Donnacha Kelly (Inagh/Kilnamona), Tom Hegarty (Inagh/Kilnamona), Conor Keogh (Sixmilebridge), Conor Coffey (Banner). Evan Cusack (Newmarket on Fergus) for Garvey, Rian Conway (Banner) for Kelly.

Scorers: Tom Hegarty (1-1), Conor Coffey (0-5), Shane Dilleen, Issac Hassett (0-1) each

Referee: Noel Quinn (Gort)