Kennedy four-goal haul crucial as Gaels take Junior silverware

Lough Lene Gaels 6-9, Clonkill 2-13

As astonishing four goals in the first half from Marcus Kennedy propelled Lough Lene Gaels to the Slevin’s Coaches Junior Championship Hurling title after a replay against Clonkill.

Unable to find a winner in the original drawn classic (1-21 to 4-12) the two sides went at it again, this time in Clonkill GAA on Sunday afternoon in front of a healthy crowd on a cold December morning. Playing with the aid of a strong breeze at pitch level, Lough Lene Gaels took full advantage of the Clonkill inability to deal with the seeking passes into the forward trio and hammered home no fewer than six first-half goals. The intent was clear from the off with Aaron Kennedy flicking up to himself from the throw-in, bursting through but under hitting his effort.

A foul on Jordan Williams moments later allowed Alex Little-McNicholas to point a free before Oisín Murray responded at the other end with a dead-ball of his own.

The Gaels then hit 2-2 in four minutes without reply. Two points from Kennedy (from an acute angle) and Jordan Williams were swiftly followed by goals from the Kennedy duo, Marcus and Aaron. The former finding the target (just) for his first of the day as both umpires agreed his effort among the bodies had crossed the line despite Luke Kenny’s clearance. White flags from Senan O’Driscoll and Murray (free) reduced the deficit but more was to come from Joey Williams’ side. Much more, in fact.

In the second-quarter, the Collinstown men realised Clonkill were struggling to cope with the inside three of Marcus Kennedy, Daniel Buckley, and Calum Burns so opted to make life as tough as possible for the defence. In that period, the Gaels smashed 4-1 beyond Andrew Mitchell and were it not for the keeper, it could have been worse.

On 18 minutes, Burns was fouled by Riley Sheahan allowing Alex Little-McNicholas to strike the resulting penalty low to the net.

The 3-4 tally soon became 5-4 as Kennedy found the net twice in 45 seconds.

A first-time bat, perhaps deflecting on the way in, off a long-ball from Warren Williams was added to seconds later when Jason Malone assisted similarly.

This time Kennedy catching, spinning, and striking in one quick sweep.

The man who opened the senior championship with a hat-trick almost had three goals in two minutes but Mitchell pushed away his next effort. Clonkill did respond when Christopher Austin rifled a brilliant goal before Matthew Glynn took advantage of sloppy clearing to point. Kennedy, however, ensured the half belonged to him with his fourth goal. A fine point from Warren Williams on the whistle left the Gaels firmly in control at 6-5 to 1-4 after a surreal opening half.

Clonkill did manage to make their own chances with the wind in the second period but over-hit and mishit passes combined with poor selections meant scores did not come quickly enough. The opening two points were swapped between O’Driscoll and Aaron Kennedy before Mickey Dan Murtagh and Paul Kelleghan saw their Loughegar men raise six unanswered white flags from five scorers.

O’Driscoll got things moving before wing-back Brian Gaffney hit a double of long-range efforts to bookend other strikes from Austin and a 65 from Robert Cleary. Still, the errors in passing remained as the physicality levels rose considerably. Murray (free) exchanged points with Aaron Kennedy (the first Gaels notch in fifteen minutes) leaving the score 6-7 to 1-11. Strangely, even with the gap, there was still a faint belief around that it was not over.

The passing, however, killed Clonkill. When Alan McGrath and O’Driscoll found themselves with acres of space, they somehow managed to over-hit both a handpass and a flick on, summing up their sides’ endeavours overall. Gaels substitute, Mark McNicholas, operated as sweeper and had more possession than anybody as he fielded long-ball after long-ball helping to keep Clonkill out.

Amazingly, points from Michael McGrath and Matthew Glynn were followed by a goal from Cleary as his long-ball looped over everybody to the net.

With time almost elapsed the gap was down to a respectable six.

Two late scores from Warren Williams (free) and, fittingly, Kennedy ended affairs as captain Eric Fitzpatrick accepted the silverware from Westmeath Chairman, Frank Mescall.

Scorers – Lough Lene Gaels: M Kennedy 4-3, A Kennedy 1-2, A Little-McNicholas 1-1(1 pen), W Williams 0-2(1f), J Williams 0-1.

Clonkill: C Austin, R Cleary (1 65’) 1-1 each, S O’Driscoll, O Murray (3f) 0-3 each, B Gaffney, M Glynn 0-2 each, M McGrath 0-1.

Lough Lene Gaels: Paul Murtagh; Johnny Dermody, Eric Fitzpatrick, Philip Reilly; Fergal Tiernan, Jason Malone, Kevin Hogan; Alex Little-McNicholas, Aaron Kennedy; Jamie Nolan, Jordan Williams, Warren Williams; Marcus Kennedy, Daniel Buckley, Calum Burns. Subs used: Mark McNicholas for Nolan (42), Daniel Reilly for Little-McNicholas (50), Brian Caffrey for Tiernan (58).

Clonkill: Andrew Mitchell; Riley Sheahan, Luke Kenny, Ciarán Morrison; Jamie Coffey, Alan McGrath, Brian Gaffney; Shane Power, Ciarán Nooney; Robert Cleary, Senan O’Driscoll, Matthew Glynn; Oisín Murray, Michael McGrath, Christopher Austin. Subs used: Philip Dowdall for Power (38), Evan Scally for O’Driscoll (50), Eoin Kenny for Austin (57).

Referee: Barry Kelly (St Oliver Plunkett’s)