Five goal hero Conor rallies Clan to victory
Clann na nGael 7-6, Clonkill 1-15
In a bitterly cold but sunny Killucan on Saturday afternoon last the huge attendance at the Under 13 final were treated to a display of hurling that warmed the hearts and minds of all those lucky enough to witness it.
This game had everything that hurling has to offer with intensity, passion and above all skill of the highest order. When one considers that these are merely teenagers then it was all the more remarkable.
Goals win games is the old adage and Clonkill who outscored their opponents 16 to 13, only managed one while Clan's Conor Raleigh netted five of his own in what was as good a performance as seen in many a long year.
Clonkill battled superbly throughout but they simply could not control the Clan wing forward whose array of skills were of the top drawer variety.
He was backed by some stubborn resistance and dedication from his team mates, which meant the Brownstown/ Castlepollard combination were well deserving of their victory on a day when hurling was the real winner.
The opening half was keenly contested with Conor Raleigh opening the scoring for Clan from a free. James McHugh replied with two scorchers for Clonkill before Raleigh equalised with a fabulous strike from a narrow angle.
Raleigh then sent a ball to the goal mouth which Oisin McGuinness kicked to the net, but two Ben Loughlin frees kept Clonkill in touch.
Raleigh, despite being double marked, netted a second brilliant goal for Clan but Paul Slevin replied in kind at the other end with his effort sneaking past Elton O’Leary in the Clan goal.
When Loughlin and McHugh added fine points Clonkill hit the front again. However, Raleigh soon remedied that with his second goal from an opportunist strike. Loughlin hit back with a free, but hot-shot Raleigh sent his side in at half time with a two point lead with a converted free of his own. Half-time score: 3-3 to 1-7 to Clan at the half.
The second half was barely a pup when Raleigh again cut through but this time he squared for Jamie McGuinness to net a brilliant Clan fourth goal.
Once more Clonkill hit back with three from Ben Loughlin, two frees and a marvellous score from play. Conor McGrath restored a three point cushion for Clan with a sublime strike from distance before Raleigh netted the score of the game when he netted his third goal with a piece of outrageous skill that defied his tender years.
He and Loughlin traded frees thereafter as the game began to slow down somewhat. Cillian Raleigh, Ciaran McGrath and Loughlin from the dead ball kept Clonkill in striking distance. Conor Raleigh was not done yet though and after pointing a '45' he netted a fourth and then a fifth individual goal that put the result beyond doubt.
There was a late rally from the Loughegar boys, but all they had to show for it was another Loughlin free. It simply was not enough as the combination side held on firmly to claim the title and the cup to the delight of their vast support.
Afterwards Coiste na nÓg secretary Peter Collins presented the cup to joint captains Jack McGuinness and Channing Dafel.
Scorers - Clan na nGael: Conor Raleigh 5-5 (4f), Oisin McGuinness and Jamie McGuinness 1-0, Conor McGrath 0-1.
Clonkill: Ben Loughlin 0-10 (8f), James McHugh 0-3, Paul Slevin 1-0, Cillian Raleigh and Ciaran McGrath 0-1 each.
Teams
Clan na nGael: Elton O’Leary; Conor Halpin, Sean Hand, Shane Cox; Joseph Mulvey, Jack McGuinness, Ciaran Mulvaney; Luke Ward, Conor McGrath; Oisin McGuinness, Channing Dafel, Conor Raleigh; Corey Brazil, Odhran Devine, Jamie McGuinness. Subs used: Eoin Smith and Aaron O’Reilly.
Clonkill: Harry Brennan; Adam Hughes, Adam Kiernan, Michael Long; Callum Cleary, Michael Brennan, Matthew O’Brien; Colm Clinton, Cillian Raleigh; James Nea, Ben Loughlin, Ciaran McGrath; Conor Raleigh, James McHugh, Paul Slevin. Subs used: Diarmuid Graham, Pauric Craig, Aidan Tuite and Alexander Graham.
Referee Ken Gunning.
Examiner's Eye on game
Player of the Match
Conor Raleigh (Clann na nGael): It would be remiss not to give honourable mentions to Harry Brennan, Ben Loughlin and James McHugh for Clonkill, while the McGuinnesses, Ward and Dafel were excellent for Clan. However, Clan's Conor Raleigh, there were two on the pitch, was simply outstanding and a joy to watch. He easily gets the accolade for a quite breath-taking display from one so young.