Clarecastle secured the first underage silverware of 2021 on Monday evening in what was a thrilling Under 15A Hurling Shield Final with neighbours Éire Óg that would go all the way to extra-time before prevailing by the minimum on home soil at 2-19 to 2-18.
Having completed a sizeable victory in their group meeting a fortnight earlier, the Townies entered as firm favourites and despite an early Darragh O’Callaghan goal for the hosts, Éire Óg appeared set to repeat the dose when a goal either side of the break through Roan McDermott and Conor Perill catapulted their side 2-12 to 1-10 clear by the final water break.
With outstanding duo Rian Hickey and Evan Price both tallying 12 points apiece, Clarecastle captain Price would add a crucial goal in the final quarter to turn the tide once more, only for Hickey to force extra-time at 2-14 to 2-14.
The scores weren’t as plentiful but the entertainment and quality was certainly maintained as these sides went toe-to-toe for the additional 20 minutes before the impressive Harry Doherty fittingly arrowed over the winner from 60 metres to clinch a memorable title victory on home soil.
The marquee honours in the Under 15A Championship will be contested between Inagh-Kilnamona and Sixmilebridge in Cusack Park on Monday week.
A repeat of last year’s compelling Under 14A decider that also went to extra-time before the ‘Bridge prevailed, Inagh-Kilnamona were the first to confirm their place as keeping a rejuvenated Clonlara at arm’s length by 3-19 to 3-10 in their semi-final clash in Gurteen on Monday evening.
Exceptional displays from both number 9’s, James Hegarty and Michael Collins lit up the contest, with Hegarty’s first half brace of goals ensuring a 2-10 to 0-05 interval cushion before Collins’ switch to full-forward was also garnished by two goals before John Barry made it safe for Inagh-Kilnamona.
The following evening in Clarecastle, Sixmilebridge lived up to expectations to hold off rivals St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield in a worthy penultimate stage clash that finished at 4-12 to 3-09. Four well timed goals through Niall Liddane (2), Michael Morey and substitute Ben O’Connell kept the ‘Bridge on track for the ultimate final showdown.
The shake up for Under 15B and C honours is also underway, with the B championship down to ten candidates and the C left with just six after the final round of group matches on Monday evening. The winners of Friday’s Under 15B Play-Offs between Broadford and Scariff/Ogonnelloe (in Scariff at 6.45pm) and Whitegate’s home tie against Tulla (7pm) will go forward to Monday’s quarter-finals which are comprised of: Cratloe v Kilmaley; Ballyea v O’Callaghans Mills/Bodyke; Clooney-Quin v the winners of Broadford and Scariff/Ogonnelloe and on Tuesday evening, Newmarket-on-Fergus versus the winners of Whitegate and Tulla.
Wolfe Tones and Crusheen/Tubber advance directly to the Under 15C Semi-Finals where they will be joined by the winners of Monday’s quarter-finals that throw up a derby between Parteen and Smith O’Brien’s and Banner making the trip to Ennistymon.
