*Inagh/Kilnamona’s Fred Hegarty. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
ÉIRE ÓG will look to win a first U21A hurling title since 2010 and Inagh/Kilnamona are striving to bridge a seven year gap when the clubs meet in Sunday’s county final.
The domestic GAA season is rapidly drawing to a close and Gurteen will host one of the final games of the season on Sunday when Inagh/Kilnamona take on Éire Óg in the final of the Berwick Callinan Murphy under 21 A hurling championship.
Éire Óg moved a step closer to a senior/under 21 double when they overcame the challenge of Sixmilebridge on Wednesday night while Inagh/Kilnamona booked their place in the final three days earlier with a comfortable win over Cratloe.
Understandably Éire Óg boss Niall O’Connor was proud of his charges’ victory on Wednesday night. “What a slog and credit to our lads,” is how he described their semi-final win. “Seventy two hours after our senior defeat in Thurles on Sunday, they came back our fighting with six or seven of those that played on Sunday. They dug in on a night that was anything but suitable for hurling. I believe we were deserving winners but that was some challenge from Sixmilebridge”.
O’Connor was particularly proud of the workrate shown by his charges. “It’s a credit to everyone in Éire Óg, football and hurling that our workrate is the first thing that people talk about now. Our under 21’s have driven it on for the past two years since we played in that final down in Meelick (they lost by a point to Broadford in the B final). Our play was so intelligent tonight in what was an awful night for hurling. The lads stuck to the process and our workrate was off the charts. That workrate and honesty is what we are most proud of”.
Looking ahead to Sunday’s final, he said, “Inagh/Killnamona are a fantastic team. We will have a go and see where it takes us. These lads will say they are the lucky ones to have the opportunity to flush Sunday’s disappointment out of the system fairly fast. They will have a go on Sunday but we know the challenge we are facing. Having to play three games in seven days is a great position to be in. It’s a special time for Éire Óg”.
Meanwhile Inagh/Kilnamona manager Kevin Hehir is happy that he has a fully fit squad from which to select for Sunday’s final. “We are aware of the very strong challenge we are facing. I would rate Éire Óg as the favourites after winning the senior title with the amount of under 21s that have led their senior side. They have been seriously impressive and what they have won will stand to them. We are under no illusions as to the task we are facing”.
Hehir a former Clare U21 hurler said, “real hurling people know that there is nothing between the teams. The last time we played them they beat us (1-13 to 0-15 in round two). They are fit and strong and use the ball well”.
Captain of the 2016 U21A winning Inamona side, Kevin said, “the under 21 championship is a great competition which has been pushed to the end of the seasons since the split season came in. It’s a shame that it is run off in a hurried fashion. Éire Óg have dealt excellently with it this year and it’s up to us to do the same now”.
Gurteen will witness plenty of Clare’s bright young hurlers in action with Shane Woods, Conor and Seán Rynne, Fred and James Hegarty lining out for Inagh/Kilnamona.
Clare SHC winners Robert Loftus, Fionan Treacy, Marco Cleary, Darren Moroney, Tom Kavanagh and Rian Mulcahy will fill central roles for the Ennis side.
It promises to be a great contest which is likely to go down to the wire.
