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03 April 2010
The Senior hurlers were defeated 1-14 to 2-6 in Round 2 of the Clare Cup on Saturday, April 3rd. With the Clooney pitch unplayable, the game was switched to the North-Eastern tip of the County, and the home side made full use of their familiar surroundings to record their second straight win of their campaign, having defeated reigning County Senior Champions, Cratloe last weekend.
With wind advantage, the home side opened their account with an Andrew Fahy free in the 1st minute, followed by a 65 in the ninth.
The visitors eventually opened their account with a Derek Ryan free in the 10th minute.
Two minutes later, the lively Michael Dooley pointed from play, a score that was followed by yet another long-range free from the Whitegate 'keeper, Fahy.
Dooley again from play put Whitegate 5 to 1 ahead by the 18th minute as the game continued to be of a scrappy nature.
Ian Fahy pointed for Whitegate as they were now beginning to play the better hurling.
However, Clooney were awarded a penalty after Fergal Lynch was taken down in the 21st minute, but Derek Ryans goal-bound shot was touched over the bar by Terence Fahy to reduce the margin.
Dooley hit his third point from play of the half with 5 minutes left in the half, a score that was followed by yet another point from Andrew Fahy, his 4th from placed balls. Not a bad haul for a goal-keeper!
John Earls finished smartly for Clooney following a storming solo upfield by Enda Harrison, but Whitegate extended their lead with points from John Minogue and Tommy Holland in the 28th and 29th minutes.
With the half almost at an end, a sluggish Clooney side were awarded a free on their own 65. Cillian Duggans stroke was held up by the wind but was gathered bt Cathal Egan and he despatched it to the net, only to be called back for a foul on the Clooney centre forward. From the 20 meter free, Derek Ryan goaled, to cut the deficit to four points, leaving the half-time score at 0-10 to 1-3.
With wind advantage, Clooney set about eating into the Whitegate lead, and Derek Ryan from play pointed from close range, as he shot for goal in the 2nd minute.
Clare player, Brendan Bugler replied for the home side in the 7th, as scores were slow to come.
Two minutes later, however, Clooney were back in the game, as Mike McNamaras low shot from 30 yards out on the wing was neatly flicked home by the inrushing Martin Duggan.
This was followed a minute later by an excellent Adrian Fleming point as he soloed forward from defence and struck from distance to level the game, 2-5 to 0-11.
However, this brought a deadly response from Whitegate, who refused to yield.
A long-range free dropped into the Clooney fullback line. It was batted out but was pulled on by a Whitegate player amongst the scrum. The shot was brilliantly stopped by Damien O'Halloran in the Clooney goal but Thomas Minogue finished the loose ball to the net. Sensing their second major scalp in a week, Whitegate pushed forward and added points by Pat Minogue and Ian Fahy in the 17th and 18th minutes, the score now 1-13 to 2-5.
Clooney pushed on in search of the goal that was needed urgently, but Whitegate held firm, as Padraig Ward, Cathal Egan Fergal Lynch were all denied over the next 10 minutes. Trevor Lee pulled a point back with an excellent strike from the sideline with a minute left, but this was answered with the final score of the game from Whitegates Shane O'Rourke, to leave the scoreline of 1-14 to 2-6.
Clooney-Quin have little time to get over this set-back as they travel to Clonlara for Round 3 next weekend.