Loughlin's wonder goal helps Clonkill sink champions

Clonkill 4-16 Raharney 1-23

The game of hurling was the real winner in the opening fixture of last Sunday afternoon’s Westmeath senior hurling championship double-header in ideal conditions at TEG Cusack Park, with Clonkill edging out their age-old rivals Raharney in what was a truly memorable hour-plus of all that is best in the ancient game.

Lady Luck may have smiled the winners’ way with two of their goals, but their third – a one handed-effort from Luke Loughlin in the 40th minute – would have graced any hurling occasion.

A soft fourth goal immediately followed, but the champions fought back bravely. However, in the end it was Mickey Dan Murtagh’s charges who were narrowly in front at the end of a classic encounter.

The teams equally shared ten tit-for-tat points in an all-action opening 12 minutes – three Killian Doyle frees, and fine scores from play by Brian McGrath and Ciaran Doyle for the holders, with Andrew Shaw, Peadar Scally (two, the second from a free), Jordy Smyth and Oisín Murray on target for the Loughegar-based outfit.

Ciaran Doyle and Eoghan Ahearn nudged the Deelsiders ahead, with Scally replying on the quarter-hour mark, leaving Raharney ahead by 0-7 to 0-6.

Another six points were equally traded by the 23rd minute. Eoin Keyes opened his account for the losers, with Killian Doyle pointing twice with aplomb from open play. Scally converted two more frees for the green and gold-clad outfit, either side of a first score of the afternoon from the stick of Oisín Loughlin.

A mix-up in the Raharney rearguard at the end of an Anthony Price free allowed Murray to whip the sliotar to the net in the 25th minute.

Michael Doherty replied with a point, before the respective number 11s, Oisín Loughlin (play) and Killian Doyle (a free), swapped points before the break. Clonkill led by 1-10 to 0-12 at the interval.

Doyle equalised from another free just 40 seconds after play resumed, but fine play by Scally soon teed up Murray for a well-taken second goal. Four more points were shared by the 37th minute, Smyth and Scally (a free) for the winners, and Killian Doyle (a free) and Eamonn Cunneen for John Shaw’s men.

Confusion followed when the green flag was raised following a huge free by Doyle, but the referee ruled out the ‘goal’ after a discussion with his umpires.

In the 40th minute, Luke Loughlin lit up Westmeath GAA headquarters with an astonishing one-handed strike for a goal. In the next passage of play, a lob from the same player was fumbled by Aaron McHugh, and Murray was on hand to complete his hat-trick from close range.

Remarkably, Clonkill now led by nine points (4-12 to 0-15), but the wind-assisted men in blue and white rallied wonderfully to score 1-7 without reply between the 42nd and 56th minute.

Eoin Keyes kicked the goal in the 44th minute, while the points were shared between Killian Doyle (three, two frees and a fabulous score from play), Cunneen (two), and one each from the Keyes brothers, Rory and Eoin.

Scally levelled from a free – his side’s first score in 16 minutes – and Luke Loughlin nudged them ahead after a turnover. Doyle’s free on the hour mark again tied up the scoring, but two injury-time points from Scally (open play and a free respectively) put Clonkill two clear.

Price saved bravely when Eoin Keyes looked sure to find the net in the fifth minute of added-time. There was still time for Killian Doyle to rifle a low 25-metre free goalward but the winners’ defence stood tall, and Caymon Flynn’s long whistle soon brought a really pulsating contest to a close.

Scorers – Clonkill: O Murray 3-1, P Scally 0-9 (6f), L Loughlin 1-1, O Loughlin, J Smyth 0-2 each, A Shaw 0-1. Raharney: K Doyle 0-12 (9f), E Keyes 1-2, E Cunneen 0-3, C Doyle 0-2, M Doherty, B McGrath, E Ahearn, R Keyes 0-1 each.

Clonkill: Anthony Price; Paul Poynton, Luke Kenny, Liam Moran; Ciaran Nooney, Alan McGrath, Peadar Scally; Matthew Glynn, Andrew Shaw; Ciaran Nolan, Oisín Loughlin, Oisín Murphy; Oisín Murray, Jordy Smyth, Robert Cleary. Subs used: Luke Loughlin for Glynn (27), Niall Mitchell for Moran (inj., 30+2), Mickey McGrath for Nooney (inj., 47).

Raharney: Aaron McHugh; Conor McKeogh, Jamie Mulkearns, Darren Finn; David Hickey, Robbie Greville, Gary Greville; Eamonn Cunneen, Michael Doherty; Robert Coyne, Killian Doyle, Brian McGrath; Ciaran Doyle, Eoin Keyes, Eoghan Ahearn. Subs used: Rory Keyes for G Greville (39), Joey Boyle for McGrath (39), Devin Hill for Hickey (blood, 53), Brian McHugh for C Doyle (60+1).

Ref: Caymon Flynn (St Brigid’s).