Austin and Murray majors steer Clonkill to victory

Slevins Coaches Westmeath Intermediate Hurling Championship

Clonkill 3-15

Raharney 1-12

This may well have been the second string teams of these two powerful clubs, but there was no less intensity involved when Clonkill and Rahanrey met in the Intermediate Hurling Championship at Collinstown GAA grounds on Friday evening.

The teams contained some of the best emerging talent for either club and they certainly gave a good account of themselves in what was a very competitive game. Raharney will be disappointed with the concession of two very preventable goals, but, overall, Clonkill had the upper hand for longer spells.

After the day’s downpour, the pitch was in terrific condition and that is great credit to the Lough Lene Gaels club, who have fine facilities.

Clonkill led at the break by 2-5 to 1-6 following first half goals by Chriostopher Austin (free) and Oisín Murray. Austin’s free from beyond midfield, struck with a low trajectory, went all the way to the net in the first minute, while Murray breezed through the opposing cover, following Brian Gaffney’s delivery, to score his side’s second major on 14 minutes.

Raharney had briefly held the advantage (1-2 to 1-1) when Donal Mullen slotted over a free after 12 minutes, but it was the only time they led in this match. Lively midfielder Jack Larkin raced through for their only goal after a minute, the ideal response to that Austin strike in the opening moments, already setting the tone for a decent game.

Raharney ‘keeper Darren Weir produced a double save to deny Ciaran Morrison and Niall Folan (in the follow-up) after 12 minutes before Murray breached the cover. Clonkill kept the scoreboard ticking over nicely in the second quarter as Murray (three frees) and Philip Dowdall, with a fine strike from distance, ensured they held sway. That despite a superb point from Raharney wing forward James Goonery.

TREND

That was the trend for the second half, too: Raharney tried everything to wrestle back control but Clonkill were having none of it. Just a couple of points separated the teams at the three quarter stage (2-8 to 1-9) and it remained that way after Mullen and Murray traded frees; Clonkill then got 1-3 without reply, including that fortuitous Austin goal.

It had been coming, though. Alex Smyth sent Dowdall through and his angled drive rattled the side-netting with a good chance on 54 minutes. Ciaran Crentsil and Smyth both got points when introduced and that will be one of the pleasing aspects for the victors, who were always kept up to the task by a stubborn Raharney side.

Scorers - Clonkill: O Murray 1-8 (0-8f), C Austin 2-0 (1-0f), M Heffernan 0-3, N Folan, P Dowdall, C Crentsil and A Smyth 0-1 each. Raharney: D Mullen 0-7 (6f), J Larkin 1-2, J Goonery, C Raleigh and C McKeogh 0-1 each.

Clonkill: Paul Kelleghan; Ciarán Egerton, John Fagan, Eoghan Egerton; Ciaran Nooney, Christopher Austin, Robbie Cleary; Evan Scally, Brian Gaffney; Michael Heffernan, Philip Dowdall, Ciaran Morrison; Cillian Doyle, Oisín Murray, Niall Folan. Subs: Michael McGrath for Egerton, Ciaran Crentsil for Doyle, Alex Smith for Morrison, Adam Brady for Folan.

Raharney: Darren Weir; Cian Weir, David Weir, Cian O’Connor; Calum McKeogh, Pearse Weir, Eoin Weir; Jack Larkin, Dean Core; James Goonery, Robbie Coyne, Jamie Carr; Conor Raleigh, Aaron Ready, Donal Mullen. Subs: Paddy Kelly for Carr, Ryan Murphy for Raleigh, Matt Shaw for Core, Dylan Duffy for Ready, Nathan McCabe for Gooney.

Ref: Ciaran Williams (Lough Lene Gaels).

Examiner’s Eye on the game

Man of The Match

Oisín Murray (Clonkill): The talented full forward had a fine game and got some lovely scores in a 1-8 haul, including a well-taken goal in the first half. Christopher Austin, Michael Heffernan, Evan Scally and Brian Gaffney were all prominent in the middle third.

Score of the match

A lovely bit of slick stick work and movement involving Clonkill’s Michael Heffernan and Oisín Murray in the 36th minute led to a neat point for Heffernan.

What it means

Victory has moved Clonkill back into the reckoning after their first round defeat by Turin. Raharney still have no points on the board.