Tones complete U-14 hurling double

Wolfe Tones 6-9   Clarecastle 1-4

Wolfe Tones completed the Feile-championship U-14 hurling double in Cusack Park on Thursday evening with an accomplished display to once again deny the title aspirations of a Clarecastle side that tried manfully but could not register scores to match their efforts.
Jack Cunningham hit 3-3 to help the Shannon club add the championship crown to the Féile title won earlier this season.
A blistering start by Wolfe Tones saw 1-2 on the scoreboard after eight minutes as Dean Devanney, Darragh McMahon and a goal from Brian Conway that Clarecastle argued should have been disallowed because of a square infringement, sent the Tones clear. Conor Ryan finally had Clarecastle on the mark but Wolfe Tones responded courtesy of Devanney for his second score. Jack Murphy struck for the Magpies’ second point but disaster struck for his side when the skilful and accurate Jack Cunningham, brother of current Clare minor Aaron, hit 1-1 in two minutes to open up a 2-4 to 0-2 half time lead.
Conor Ryan, after great build up play from Darren Crowe, struck for Clarecastle’s only goal after points from Crowe and Cian Pettigrew. With 29 minutes played, Clarecastle were only five in arrears before Cian Pettigrew set up Jack Cunningham for his second goal to allow Wolfe Tones to retire eight points clear, 3-5 to 1-3.
Clarecastle required early second half scores to suggest that the last quarter might be entertaining. After four minutes they managed the opening score from a free before the winners struck for goal courtesy of Brian O’Connor after Cian Pettigrew’s effort was well saved by Jake Kearney in the Clarecastle goal.
Seven minutes lapsed before the next salvo of scores from Jack Cunningham (1-1) as Wolfe Tones stretched their lead to 15 points entering the final quarter. The final goal of the hour went to Aaron Shanagher with five minutes remaining.
Best for Wolfe Tones were Aaron Shanagher, Kevin Justice, Jack Cunningham, Cian Collophy, Dean Devanney, Cian Pettigrew, Darragh McMahon, Sean Costello and Brian O’Connor. Clarecastle had good performances from Paul Dolan, Ronan Garvey, Kevin Hartigan, Ruairi Crimmins, Conor Ryan and Jake Kearney.
After the game chairman of Bord na nÓg Iomaint, Martin Reynolds presented the U-14A cup to Wolfe Tones captain Kevin Justice. Wolfe Tones will be hosted by Clarinbridge in Féile na nGael later in the month.

Wolfe Tones: Cian Collopy, Michael Hayes, Daniel Clair, Ross O’Connor, Robbie Meaney, Kevin Justice, Sean Costello, Darragh McMahon (0-1), Dean Devanney (0-2), Evan O’Gorman, Aaron Shanagher (1-1), Cian Pettigrew (0-2), Brian Conway (1-0), Jack Cunningham (3-3), Brian O’Connor (1-0).
Subs: Conor Ferins for Conway, Shane Nihill for O’Connor, Eoghan Gough for O’Gorman.

Clarecastle: Jake Kearney, Kevin Hartigan, Darragh Crimmins, Fiachra Cooney, Josh Kelly, Paul Dolan, Hayden Starr, Ronan Garvey, Kevin Mulcair, Darren Crowe (0-2), Adam Cassidy, Ruairi Crimmins, Conor Ryan (1-1), Jack Murphy (0-1), Stephen Barry.
Subs: Jack Hayes for Kelly, Jordon Banes for Ryan, Mark McAuliffe for Barry, O’Hara for Murphy.

Referee: Neil O’Brien (O’Callaghan’s Mills).