South West Antrim Hurling – Abbey Cup (semi final)
Clooney Gaels 8-18 Tir na Nog 1-12
Ahoghill based Cloney Gaels proceeded into the final of the Abbey cup competition when they proved too strong for what as a second string Tir na Nog in Ahoghill on Sunday afternoon.
The Whitehill men arrived to the Ahoghill venue cast very much in the role as outsiders and indeed they did take time to find their feet as an early PJ O’ Connell goal and a second despatched in stylish delivery from Callum Reynolds in the 13th minute had ensured the home side had cantered into a 2-06 to 0-01 advantage Tir na Nog did improve as the game progressed.
Centre forward Eamon og Mc Allister had opened the Tir na Nog account when he split the posts in the 10th minute after guiding a 60 metre free between the posts but although he was to add another in the 17th minute to follow Ciaran Logan the home side were about to up the ante and after the ever accurate Eoin Neeson grabbed a brace at the other end, and Pearse Downey added another, a fine sweeping approach saw Sean Mc Mahon find the net.
A fine intervention from the Clooney full back Bernard Graham and a slick interchange to involve James “Bobby’’ Magee and Tom Mc Glone in sequence opened the way to the target for wing half forward to strike and the green flag raised saw the home side move into a 3-10 to 0-03 lead.
Despite looking down the Whitehill lads were certainly not about to be counted out and as the end of the opening period approached they were about to regain composure and a period of dominance saw them raise four white flags in quick succession.
Michael Higgins came wide to collect from Darren O’ Kane to forward directly over the posts in the 24th minute and when Eamon Og Mc Allister, Conor Fitzgerald, and the hard grafting Ciaran Logan followed on the same route the Whitehill Blues had posted intent.
The home side having seen their visitors lay siege for a term were quick to return fire and when Donal Graham, who had only entered the game as replacement for the stricken Tom Mc Glone a few minutes previous, signalled his arrival with an excellent 29th minute goal as he rose highest to claim a long Martin Graham delivery before firing to the net.
The early replacement who was destined to make a mark on proceeding in the second portion added an injury time point to ensure a 4-11 to 0-07 half time advantage.
With the strong breeze at their backs the home side extended their lead a couple of minutes into the second half as Donal Graham added a point, and although the visitors were quick to follow suit and Luke Carey made reply Pearse Downey added a couple at the other end before Donal Graham followed suit to make it 4-15 to 0-10.
The home side were in complete charge and such dominance was about to be evident on the score board as Sean Mc Mahon sent Donal Graham in to add a second major and when James Magee supplied similar service a minute later the replacement had completed his hat-trick. The home team’s dominance continued and a point supplied by corner back Fionnbar O’ Neill delivered from all of 80 metres saw the lead increased to 6-16 to 0-10 at the end of the third quarter.
The die was well cast as the last quarter commenced and such was quite evident as super-sub Donal Graham courtesy of a lofted Francis Neeson delivery added a fourth goal to his personal tally before Callum Reynolds doubled his tally with another.
Despite the futility of the exercise the gallant Tir na Nog men continued their quest for scores in the latter stages and Eamon og Mc Allister’s super 40 metre strike earned the reward of a 58th minute goal, but late points from the home side’s Sean O’ Connell, Fionnbar O’ Neill, with the visitors making replies in kind from Ciaran Logan (2) saw the Clooney men cross the finish line and onwards to the Abbey cup final on a scoreline which read 8-18 to 1-12.
CLONEY GAELS:
Aodhan Graham, Stephen O’ Connell, Bernard Graham, Fionbar O’ Neill (0-02), Eamon Brady, Martin Graham, James Magee, Francis Neeson, Ronan Graham, Eoin Neeson (0-07), P J O’ Connell (1-00), Sean Mc Mahon (1-03), Callum Reynolds (2-01), Pearse Downey (0-02), Tom Mc Glone (0-01)
Subs
Donal Graham (4-03) for T Mc Glone
Dominic Neeson for E Neeson
Sean O’ Connell (0-01) for P J O’ Connell
TIR NA NÓG:
Dara Kerr, Justin Bonnes, Conor Fitzgerald (0-01), Conleth Martin, Ciaran O’ Neill, Darren O’ Kane (0-01), Neil Shannon, Simon Carey, Stephen Carey, Ryan Scullion, Eamon Og Mc Allister (1-05), Ciaran Logan (0-03), Luke Carey, S P Mc Atamney, Michael Higgins (0-02)
Referee John Moran (St James)
