*Darragh Moroney offloads as James Cullinan closes in. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
O’CALLAGHANS MILLS’ bid to bounce back to the top tier of Clare hurling at the first attempt is well and truly alive following a storming second half display against Ruan.
O’Callaghans Mills 2-22
Ruan 0-15
Venue: Gurteen
In a game where the sides on level occasions in the opening half, a thirteen point winning margin for O’Callaghans Mills didn’t appear on the horizon.
Seán Boyce’s goal in the last act of the first half was a major turning point. Ruan would have held a one point lead heading into the dressing room but instead they went in trailing by two.
From the restart, the Mills only went in one direction as Ruan failed to reproduce what they did well before the interval and the favourites justified this tag by keeping the scoreboard ticking and drying up the attacking options and outlets of their opponents.
Killian Nugent was called upon to make three goal-saving stops in the first half, as the underdogs Ruan needed to take these opportunities. At the other end, the chances for majors were bagged by Seán Doyle’s charges and at opportune times, Boyce’s green flag serving as a sucker punch for Ruan while Colm Cleary’s effort killed off the contest on the forty sixth minute.
How Ruan’s challenge completely evaporated in the second half ends their campaign on a bum note. Their return of five points in this spell was not forecasted with the manner in which they started proceedings. Slight warning signs were evident in their recent outings, late rallies were required to overcome Bodyke and Tulla in their last two games after slipping in the third quarter, this time there was no climbing back against the stronger side they have faced this season.
For Leon Quirke’s side it is the second year in a row they have exited in the semi-finals. Last year they came out the wrong side of a 3-20 1-13 loss to Wolfe Tones and once again it is another thirteen point defeat at the penultimate stage.
On four occasions in the first half, Ruan took the lead. It began after Shane Punch and Aidan Lynch responded to Jacob Loughnane’s opening free of the evening.
Three points in succession via Seán Boyce, Cormac Murphy and Loughnane saw the Mills build up a three point advantage before Ruan had four points without reply to regain the lead by the twenty second minute.
Loughnane and Robin Mounsey traded scores before Gary Cooney and Boyce had the Mills one point ahead.
As the opening half rolled into additional time, Mounsey and Punch put Ruan ahead by the minimum only for Boyce to finish the half with a Mills major to leave them two clear.
An excellent block by Conor Cooney stopped Ryan Power from getting a goal chance in, this being the first attack of the new half. Nugent had made fine saves in the first half from Aidan Lynch and Punch when he was tested.
Midfielder Fionn Hickey and Loughnane fleshed out a four point advantage for the Mills before points from Punch and Mounsey were answered by scores from Loughnane, Cormac Murphy and Darragh Moroney.
Cleary’s goal on forty six minutes created a nine point lead, an excellent flick from Moroney put Cleary on a path to goal and he made no mistake with his shot.
For the final quarter, Ruan hit three points but the Mills had over double that and thus ran out thirteen point winners.
Though there was no superstar individual display within the O’Callaghans Mills side, it instead was a strong collective performance. For the semi-finals, they were the only unbeaten team standing, the status remain the same and so too their chances of winning promotion back to the top tier, twelve months after their relegation.
To see them home they were able to call on the experienced Donnellan brothers, Bryan and Patrick, this asset and having been around the block will be one of their main strengths for the county final.
Best for the winners were Cormac Murphy, Darragh Moroney, Conor Cooney and Seán Boyce.
James Cullinan at centre back for Ruan was arguably the best player on the pitch for the hour. As has been the case throughout the championship, Robin Mounsey has been hindered by injury, he was still influential but will hopefully be afforded time to properly rehabilitate over the coming months. Ryan Power again got through a lot of work for Ruan but they struggled to supply the likes of Aidan Lynch and Frankie Lyons with possession in the second half and it is no coincidence then that their scores dried up.
Scorers O’Callaghans Mills: J Loughnane (0-9 9f), S Boyce (1-2), C Murphy (0-3), D Moroney (0-3), C Cleary (1-0), G Cooney (0-2), F Hickey (0-2), C Henry (0-1).
Scorers Ruan: R Mounsey (0-4 1f), S Punch (0-3), A Lynch (0-3), P O’Halloran (0-2), F Lyons (0-2), J McDonagh (0-1).
O’Callaghans Mills:
1: Killian Nugent
2: Cathal McNamara
3: Conor Cooney
4: Keith Donnellan
7: Seán Cotter
6: Aidan O’Gorman
5: Aidan Fawl
9: Fionn Hickey
8: Cormac Murphy
14: Colm Cleary
11: Darragh Moroney
10: Jacob Loughnane
12: Conor Henry
15: Gary Cooney
13: Seán Boyce
Subs:
23: Bryan Donnellan for Henry (39)
22: Patrick Donnellan for Cleary (56)
18: Mike McGrath for Cotter (60)
Ruan:
1: Keelan Mounsey
2: Jason Power
3: Killian Ryan
4: Patrick O’Gorman
5: Ashley Brohan
6: James Cullinan
7: Brian Roughan
9: Darragh McInerney
8: Ryan Power
13: Jack McDonagh
14: Aidan Lynch
12: Patrick O’Halloran
11: Robin Mounsey
10: Shane Punch
15: Frankie Lyons
Subs:
18: Christian Cummins for McDonagh (46)
17: Conor Wynne for O’Halloran (52)
19: Jamie Ryan for McInerney (59)
21: Daire Corey for Cullinan (59)
20: Daniel Guinane for Mounsey (61)
Referee: Niall Malone (Éire Óg)
