Cleary goal the icing on the cake for superior Clonkill side

Clonkill 1-12, Lough Lene Gaels 0-8

A better balanced Clonkill side swept to victory in wintry conditions at Raharney on Saturday afternoon where they proved too good for a spirited Lough Lene Gaels side in the Westmeath Junior ‘A’ hurling championship final.

Lough Lene Gaels played most of the game with 14 men after Mark McNicholas picked up a straight red card after seven minutes and while they led at half-time by a solitary point (0-5 to 0-4), they had played with the aid of a strong breeze in the first half, something that proved a big factor. Clonkill dominated the second half and won it by 1-8 to 0-4 to claim the title for the tenth time in 11 seasons (they lost to Castletown Geoghegan last year).

A key moment came when the Collinstown side were presented with a clear goal scoring chance in the 57th minute only for substitute Cian Reilly to whip the sliotar wide of a gaping goal. At that stage three points separated the teams and a Lough Lene Gaels goal might well have forced extra-time, but four minutes later, with the game in added time, Clonkill substitute Robbie Cleary made certain of victory with a great goal.

After a couple of early Clonkill wides, it was Lough Lene Gaels who took the lead through Warren Williams who shot a fine point from play. Evan Scally’s shot was marginally wide for Clonkill and the Gaels went two points clear courtesy of Warren Williams’ free in the eighth minute.

However, disaster then struck as Mark McNicholas picked up a straight red card for an off-the-ball incident. Although he pleaded his case to referee JP Reynolds, the official in charge took very decisive action and the Gaels were down to 14 men.

Despite the setback, a fine point by Ciaran Lynch left the Gaels three points clear of a hitherto scoreless Clonkill side which was struggling to find any fluency in attack. But a pass from Matthew Glynn sent Philip Dowdall clear to get their opening point on 11 minutes and when Oisín Loughlin was fouled (after strong surge), Oisín Murray slotted over a free.

It was low-scoring in the demanding conditions as they rain swept down field and Lough Lene Gaels got the next two scores to take a 0-5 to 0-2 lead after 22 minutes. Warren Williams converted a brace of frees – the first in the 13th minute, the second when Clonkill ‘keeper Paul Kelleghan was penalised for a technical foul. Perhaps Williams should have gone for goal at this stage from the 20-metre free, but he settled for the minor.

Clonkill were over elaborate at times and it proved a stumbling block, but a point from, Evan Scally reduced the leeway in the 26th minute. And when the unmarked Paul Poynton was picked out in the centre with a clever cross-field ball, the Loughegar men had their fourth point of the final – the midfielder making no mistake from 60 metres. That left it 0-5 to 0-4 at half-time.

FINISHING SKILL

Clonkill could call on the experience and know-how of Paddy Dowdall for the second half and such a substitute certainly gave them an edge. Evan Scally’s long-range free in the opening minute had it all square and he repeated that to put his side ahead in the 37th minute. Midfielder Oisín Loughlin then made it 0-7 to 0-5 when he fired over from 65 metres.

The Gaels waited 17 minutes for their opening score of the half – a point from midfielder Thomas Kennedy, after Warren Williams did the spade work. But the next two scores went to Clonkill as they began to take control: Ciaran Nooney (taking over the free taking duties) converted a placed ball and Scott Murtagh’s pass sent Paul Poynton clear before the midfielder showed great pace and finishing skill to make it 0-9 to 0-6 after 51 minutes.

Lough Lene Gaels refused to capitulate and a point from substitute Cian Reilly reduced Clonkill’s advantage in the 54th minute, moments after Matthew Glynn missed a chance at the other end. It seemed as if that lack of composure may cost Clonkill, but they didn’t panic.

Substitutes Alan Dowdall and Michael Heffernan combined for the latter to point on 56 minutes and the lead was back out to three (0-10 to 0-7). When Thomas Kennedy’s delivery broke kindly inside for Cian Reilly, the Gaels had a great goal chance, but Reilly’s strike was just wide of the target.

Clonkill looked likely winners when Poynton scored a wonderful long-range point from his own half back line on the hour mark to push them four clear. And they made certain of victory when Glynn’s pass set up Robbie Cleary for a great goal in injury time.

Poynton soon set up Alan Dowdall for Clonkill’s 12th point as they opened up an eight-point lead in the fourth minute of added time. Lough Lene Gaels had the consolation of the final point per Jordan Williams, who converted a free, but that’s all it amounted to.

Afterwards Westmeath County Committee chairman Frank Mescall presented the cup to Philip Dowdall, captain of the victorious Clonkill side.

Scorers: Clonkill: E Scally and P Poynton 0-3 each, R Cleary 1-0, Philip Dowdall, O Murray (free), O Loughlin, C Nooney (free), M Heffernan and A Dowdall 0-1 each. Lough Lene Gaels: W Williams 0-4 (3f), Ciaran Lynch, T Kennedy, C Reilly and J Williams (free) 0-1 each.

Clonkill: Paul Kelleghan; Eoin Egerton, Luke Kenny, Scott Murtagh; Ciaran Egerton, Liam Murtagh, Mark Keegan; Oisín Loughlin, Paul Poynton; Philip Dowdall, Matthew Glynn, Evan Scally; Ciaran Nooney, Niall Folan, Oisín Murray. Subs: Alan Dowdall for Folan and Paddy Dowdall for C Egerton (H-T), Michael Heffernan for Murray (40), Robbie Cleary for Scally (54), Brian Caffrey for P Dowdall (60).

Lough Lene Gaels: Paul Murtagh; Eric Fitzpatrick, Dan Reilly, Kevin Hogan; Brian Caffrey, Philip Reilly, John Dermody; Thomas Kennedy, Jason Malone; Conor Lynch, Jordan Williams, Mark McNicholas; Ciaran Lynch, Warren Williams, Daniel Buckley. Subs: Cian Reilly for Ciaran Lynch and Calum Burns for Conor Lynch (45), Fergal Tierney for Buckley (52).

Ref: JP Reynolds (Cullion).

Examiner's Eye on game

Man of the match

Paul Poynton (Clonkill): It was a tough day at the office for all players given the weather, but Clonkill midfielder Paul Poynton was always involved and scored three fine points which helped his side steady the ship at times. They were better balanced and Paddy Dowdall made an impact off the bench, as did Robbie Cleary with the goal and Alan Dowdall. Oisín Loughlin was also prominent.

Score of the match

Robbie Cleary took his goal chance with conviction when Matthew Glynn set him up. That was the difference – the Gaels missed their chance at the opposite end four minutes earlier.

Turning point

The red card was an early blow but Cian Reilly’s missed goal chance after 57 minutes is one that the Gaels will rue.

Match officials

Referee JP Reynolds was in control throughout and he and his team of officials avoided any controversy.

Top marks for venue

The Raharney pitch which has undergone extensive drainage work was in terrific condition following heavy overnight rain which forced a venue change on the morning of the game and it’s full credit to them and the Westmeath CCC that the game went ahead. It shows the value of good facilities.