*Ronan O’Connor claims the sliotar in a ruck. Photograph: Ruth Griffin
U21A champions Feakle/Killanena are back in the county final while Clarecastle progressed to the B decider.
Feakle/Killanena had two points to spare over Inagh/Kilnamona while Clarecastle recorded a four point win against Broadford as the final pairings were confirmed in the U21A and B hurling championships.
Feakle/Killanena produce stunning comeback
Feakle/Killanena 3-15
Inagh/Kilnamona 0-19
Venue: Dr Daly Park, Tulla
When champions Feakle/Killanena trailed by ten points at half time, albeit after playing against a very strong wind, their chances of qualifying for a second successive Clare under 21 A hurling championship final didn’t look great.
However, they staged a strong second half showing and took the lead shortly before the final whistle. They struck for three second half goals which proved decisive on the day.
The champions went a point ahead as the final whistle approached and while Inagh/Kilnamona had a chance to level, they failed to do so and the winners closed out the game with a goal from substitute Ronan Bowes.
Keith Smyth and Oisin O’Connor were the main scorers for the winners hitting 2-12 of their side’s total between them, O’Connor with 2-3 and Smyth with 0-9.
Fred Hegarty top scored for the Mid Clare outfit with eight points on a day when their failure to rise a green flag ultimately proved costly.
Feakle/Killanena await the outcome of this weekend’s semi-final between St. Josephs and Scariff/Ogonnelloe to learn who they will face in the final.
All photographs by Ruth Griffin.
Feakle/Killanena; Seamus O’Donnell; Darren McMahon, Eoghan Daly, Ryan Keane; Oisin Clune, Adam Hogan, Padraig O’Callaghan; Ronan O’Connor, Ian Macnamara; Sean Walsh, Eoghan McGann, Patrick Daly (0-1); Aaron Moloney (0-2), Keith Smyth (0-9), Oisin O’Connor (2-3);
Sub: Ronan Bowes (1-0) for S. Walsh;
Inagh/Kilnamona: Frank Roughan; James Cullinan, Conor Rynne, Jamie Wynne; Neil Hegarty, Ricky Wynne, Cathal Ryan; James Hegarty (0-3), Sean Rynne (0-3); Keith Barry (0-1), Mark Callinan (0-1), Fred Hegarty (0-8); Josh Guyler (0-1), Ronan Mescall (0-2), Jack Cullinan;
Subs; Michael Cotter for Jack Cullinan; Coley Kelly foe K. Barry
Referee: Joe Mullins (Clonlara)
Strong second half showing by Magpies
Clarecastle 2-13
Broadford 2-9
Venue: Dr Stuart Park, Ogonnelloe
Clarecastle put an end to Broadford’s hopes of a third successive under 21 B championship when they put in a strong second half showing at Ogonnelloe on Sunday to advance to the final where they will meet Kilmaley.
Broadford finished the game with twelve players after they had three sent off in separate incidents in the second half.
They were clearly annoyed with referee Eoghan O’Leary when he dismissed full forward Denis Fahy seven minutes into the second half.
Ten minutes later they were down to thirteen when Sam Cooper also saw red while Gearoid Vaughan was dismissed in the final minute along with Clarecastle’s Scott Brack
The title holders had marginally the better of the first half exchanges and they took a three point led to the break when the score was 2-4 to 0-7, their goals coming from Michael Vaughan and Niall O’Farrell.
Two second half goals from Paul O’Connell played a big part in the magpies’ victory. The corner forward was the game’s top scorer with 2-6 to his credit.
Clarecastle; Fionn Morgan; Sam Browne, Filip Wiechinski, Niall Brigdale; Conor Griffin, Aaron Hayes, Evan O’Connell (0-1); Conor Whelan, Oisin Whelan (0-2); Harry Doherty (0-1), Rory O’Connell (0-1) Evan Price (0-2); Scott Brack, Conor Ralph, Paul O’Connell (2-6);
Sub; Johnny Casey for Price
Broadford: Peter O’Farrell; Noah Corbett, Cathal O’Sullivan, T.J. Dillon; Adam Flynn, Conor O’Donnell, Sam Cooper; Gearoid Vaughan, Michael Vaughan; John Moran, Eoin Gunning, Niall O’Farrell; Jake Slattery, Denis Fahy, Paul McNamara;
Subs: Aodan O’Driscoll for Moran (half time) James Dillon for P. McNamara (53);
Referee; Eoghan O’Leary, Whitegate
