*Inagh/Kilnamona defender Keith White in action. Photograph: Mike Brennan
INAGH/KILNAMONA hit eight points without reply to seal a five point win over Broadford and more importantly a place in the last eight of the TUS Clare SHC.
Inagh/Kilnamona 1-24
Broadford 2-16
Venue: Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg, Ennis
The Clare Echo’s online coverage of the Clare SHC is with thanks to The Temple Gate Hotel.
The accusation that Inagh/Kilnamona aren’t able to close out games was answered emphatically when they booked their spot in the knockout stages. They had been three points behind at half time but pushed ahead with a strong finish.
It really was anybody’s game with ten minutes to go at which time the teams were level.
Eight unanswered points from the Mid Clare outfit followed to kill off Broadford’s brave challenge on a day when substitutes Conner Hegarty and Keelan Guyler contributed seven second half points between them.
Inagh/Kilnamona lined out with David Fitzgerald at centre forward for this tie, having played his earlier round games in defence and he struck for a somewhat
fortunate goal ro give his side a two point lead as early as the seventh minute
Broadford responded impressively and Diarmuid Moloney found the net two minutes later to level the tie.
Points were then exchanged twice before the East Clare side hit a purple patch, scoring five unanswered points on their way to a half time lead of three, 1-10 to 1-7.
The winners returned with Conner Hegarty in their line up at midfield and he made a huge impact throughout the second half.
Points were exchanged twice before David Fitzgerald, Hegarty and an Aidan McCarthy free brought the winners level by the eighth minute of the half.
The teams then swapped points twice before Fred Hegarty and Keelan Guyler pushed their side two clear.
Broadford hit back with two from Niall O’Farrell to tie up the game for the eighth and final time.
(All photographs by Mike Brennan)
With substitutes Hegarty and Keelan Guyler in sparkling form, the winners dominated the closing ten minutes but, to their credit, Broadford battled to the finish and they had the final score when Niall O’Farrell drilled a 20m free to the net
Padraig Devitt, Keith White and Shane Woods were prominent in the winners defence while, elsewhere Sean Rynne and substitutes Conner Hegarty and Keelan Guyler did well.
Paddy and Eoin Donnellan, Shane Taylor, Niall O’Farrell and Diarmuid Moloney did well for Broadford.
Supporters of Inagh/Kilnamona will readily agree that Conner Hegarty is a key figure in their senior hurling squad. His introduction for the second half clearly highlighted his value.
Throughout the second half he dictated matters from the middle of the field. He won possession at vital times and contributed 0-4 from play as he had a huge part in turning the tie in his team’s favour.
There were thirty three players listed for the club for Sunday’s game and it could be argued with a lot of justification that they finished with a stronger side than that which started.
The return of Shane Woods and Hegarty from injury has certainly been a huge boost to Tomás Kelly’s side. Woods lined out at full back from the start on Sunday and he was prominent throughout, making a number of timely interceptions when Broadford had the upperhand.
The game changed very much in the winner’s favour with the introduction of Hegarty while Keelan Guyler was another to make a huge impact when he was introduced for the final quarter.
The loss of rising star Eoghan Gunning was a huge blow to Broadford. He suffered a broken hand in their opening round against Clooney/Quin. Experienced Cathal Chaplin’s loss to injury was another big blow to the East Clare side
Broadford will regret a few missed opportunities when they held the upperhand.
That said the game was still very much in the melting pot with ten minutes remaining. Niall O’Farrell’s seventh point had just levelled the contest and a draw was very much on the cards, a result that would have edged the East Clare men into second spot ahead of their opponents.
There certainly was a nervousness amongst Inagh/Kilnamona supporters as their side had struggled to close out games in recent seasons in both league and championship. There was no such issue this time as they dominated the closing ten minutes, shooting eight unanswered points on their way to a merited win.
Scorers Inagh Kilnamona; Aidan McCarthy (0-8, 6f ) David Fitzgeald (1-1) Conner Hegarty (0-4), Fred Hegarty (1 line ball) and Keelan Guyler (0-3) each, Darren Cullinan (0-2); Keith White, Niall Mullins, Sean Rynne (0-1) each
Scorers Broadford: Niall O’Farrell (1-7, 1-4 frees) Diarmuid Moloney (1-1); Shane Taylor (0-3) Conor O’Donnell (0-2); Mikey Vaughan, Donie Whelan, Diarmjuid O’Brien (0-1) each
Inagh/Kilnamona;
1: Eamonn Foudy
2: Padraig Devitt
31: Shane Woods
4: Conor Rynne
5: James Hegarty
6: Jason McCarthy
3: Keith White
8: Mark Callinan
12: Seán Rynne
10: Fred Hegarty
7: David Fitzgerald
17: Darren Cullinan
13: Niall Mullins
11: Aidan McCarthy
15: David Mescall
Subs:
8: Conner Hegarty for M.Callinan (HT)
25: Gearoid Barry for D Mescall (39)
21: Keellan Guyler for N. Mullins (44)
32: Josh Guyler for D. Cullinan (47)
22: Kevin Hehir for J. McCarthy (61)
Broadford
1: Cian O’Brien
18: Darragh Whelan
3: Eoin Donnellan
2: Paddy Donnellan
8: Cian Mulqueen
7: Davy Boland
5: Padraig Taylor
9: Diarmuid O’Brien
10: Mikey Vaughan
12: Darren Chaplin
6: Shane Taylor
21: Conor O’Donnell
11: Niall O’Farrell
13: Donie Whelan
14: Diarmuid Moloney
Subs:
17: Craig Chaplin for C. O’Donnell (55)
Referee; Joe Mullins (Clonlara)
