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12 October 2008
Posted in
Hurling -
Senior
The Senior hurlers have qualified for the Senior B Final following their thrilling one point win over neighbours Tulla in Clarecastle today, Sunday October 12th. The Final Scoreline of 3-11 to 1-16 shows that the goals made all the difference, with a goal from Cathal Egan and two goals from the unusual source of Clooney wing-back Pat Reynolds, one a monster sideline stroke that went all the way to the Tulla net. The team now take on Wolfe Tones in two weeks time.
Andrew Quinn opened the scoring from a free for Tulla in the first minute. In the 5th minute, Clooney had notched their first goal. Cathal Egan, receiving a pass from a Fergal Lynch catch, swivelled and struck to beat Clare ‘keeper, Philip Brennan from close range. This score settled the Clooney lads who added points from play by Brian Shally in the 10th and Martin Duggan a minute later, he having been fed with a brilliant pass from his cousin, Cillian.
It could have been even better for Clooney, as a Sean Conheady delivery was caught by Egan who hit a blistering shot into the side-netting, much to the relief of the Tulla defence. Eanna Torpey and James Casey swapped scores in the 16th minute, with the score at 1-3 to 0-2.
Andy Quinn with two frees reduced the deficit by the 20th minute, with a John Earls reply keeping the scoreboard ticking for the Clooney boys. Quinn added a point from play a minute later, with Brian Shally slotting his first free in the 25th minute.
The final three scores of the half went to Tulla, one from Michael Murphy and two Quinn frees, to leave the scores level at half-time, 1-5 to 0-8.
Tulla began the 2nd half well, with points from Aidan and Brian Lynch and substitute, Danny O’Halloran by the 7th minute. However, Clooney then received a massive boost from that unusual source, Pat Reynolds.
He placed the ball on the sideline near his own 65M line, and made a beautiful contact, the ball floating menacingly in the direction of the Tulla goal. As forwards and backs went for the ball, it deceived them all and flew into the Tulla net, to tie up the scores once more.
Tulla hit back immediately. From the puck-out, Danny O’Halloran got onto a loose ball in the Clooney defence and finished swiftly to the net. The good crowd were now getting behind their teams as scores came for both sides. Another Tulla substitute, Con O’Halloran pointed, to put Tulla four up, with Quinn once again from a free extending their lead to five by the mid-point of the half. Clooney now need to respond, and they certainly did in fine style.
Two Shally frees sandwiched Pat Reynolds second goal of the day, as his long delivery from his half-back line seemed to be lost in the sunlight by Tulla ‘keeper, Brennan. Quinn from play edged Tulla in front but Shally from a free tied the game up again in the 22nd minute. Andy Quinn edged Tulla in front, but Shally levelled from a free, following the sending off of Con O’Halloran.
Cathal Egan then set-up Fergal Lynch with a great pass for the Dangan man to put Clooney in front once more. With four minutes left, Tulla veteran, Brian Quinn levelled for Tulla, the score at 3-9 to 1-15. Shally again edged Clooney ahead, but Clare panellist Brian Lynch hit a spectacular equaliser with time almost up.
Shally then pointed what turned out to be the winning score, following a foul on cathal Egan, resulting in Cian McInerney receiving a second yellow card and dismissal.
Down to 13 players, behind by a point and in injury time, any other side would have taken their defeat, but not Tulla. They fought tooth and nail to equalise in the four minutes of injury time, during which they won three long range frees. Thankfully for Clooney, none of them were converted and Clooney held out for victory.
In the Final, Clooney will play Wolfe Tones. This will have a novel feel to the game as the current Clooney manager, Pat O’Rourke, was the man in charge when The Tones won their second County Title three years ago, and only stepped down last season. The game is scheduled for the weekend after next.
Scorers; Clooney/Quin – Brian Shally 7 pts, 6 frees. Pat Reynolds 2 goals, 1 sideline. Cathal Egan 1 goal. John Earls, Fergal Lynch, Martin Duggan and James Casey, 1 each.
Tulla; Andrew Quinn, 8 pts, 6 frees. Danny O’Halloran 1-1, Brian Lynch 2. Eanna Torpey, Michael Murphy, Con O’Halloran, Aidan Lynch and Brian Quinn, 1 each.
