*Éire Óg’s Darren Moroney gets away from Éanna McMahon of Kilmaley. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
IT WAS A BATTLE that Éire Óg edged Kilmaley in to claim their place in the TUS Clare SHC final.
The Clare Echo’s online coverage of the Clare SHC is with thanks to The Temple Gate Hotel
Eoin Brennan dishes out the player ratings following Éire Óg’s 1-14 1-12 win over Kilmaley.
Éire Óg
1: Darragh Stack
One of the greatest goalkeeping display to ever grace Cusack Park as he pulled off four superb saves to book his side’s place in final, with the two from Tom O’Rourke being out of top drawer.
Rating: 9
2: Fionan Treacy
Had a brilliant battle with first Sean O’Loughlin and then Tom O’Rourke, winning several of tussles for possession along with two puck-outs and a free. Couldn’t contain them for full 60 though.
Rating: 7
3: Ciaran Russell
Shared the arduous curbing duties on the imposing Conor Cleary with Robert Loftus and also cleared off line when Stack saved from Tommy Barry. Shipped hefty first half challenge too.
Rating: 7
7: Rian Mulcahy
Having a great maiden season at adult level, highlighted here by an assist and a significant interception. Did get caught for two glorious Tom O’Rourke chances but Stack came to rescue.
Rating: 6
5: Robert Loftus
Developed a knack of winning last gasp puck-outs, this time to clinch matters with catch at death. It capped off another solid hour that included the shadowing of Cleary and winning two frees.
Rating: 7
6: Aaron Fitzgerald
Essentially played a sweeper’s role but easily had the most amount of possessions for his side and was hugely effective throughout, with two point assists and a great point from 65 metres.
Rating: 9
4: Liam Corry
Withdrawn through injury in the third quarter, having given a heartening display. Dominated left flank in the opening half as his side’s primary puck-out distributor along with a timely interception,
Rating: 8
8: Oran Cahill
Got an early point but really excelled in the second period as Éire Óg seized control of the midfield zone, picking off a further brace to extend the gap to five. Also provided assist for another score.
Rating: 8
11: David Reidy
Only scored a point of his own but was key linkman for the Townies, starting from the throw-in to tee up Darren Moroney for opening goal. Had two point assists and had late goal chance saved.
Rating: 8
12: David McNamara
Got a worthy second half point to double his championship tally but while he worked hard, just couldn’t get on enough ball to influence, Won a restart but coughed up a free and hit a wide also.
Rating: 6
9: Darren Moroney
Grabbed the ultimate settling score after only ten seconds when firing to the net to alleviate any nerves. Was busy throughout in a variety of positions but did get caught for Cleary goal.
Rating: 7
13: Darren O’Brien
Another to thunder into the contest after half-time, having been rather subdued in opening period. Got two quickfire points including the first as Éire Óg fired seven of first eight of the new half.
Rating: 7
15: Marco Cleary
Having raided for a whopping 3-7 in his first four matches, Kilmaley put the squeeze on Cleary with his St. Flannan’s colleague Joe Casey while in his defence, the supply line was very poor.
Verdict: 5
14: Danny Russell
Again was starved of quality deliveries especially with wind but still had two assists and really stepped up from placed balls, scoring six overall including the last three under immense pressure.
Rating: 7
10: Shane O’Donnell
Another to initially feel effects of Kilmaley’s meticulous homework as Brian McNamara was imposing marker. Roamed deep in second period to get on ball, win three restarts and two frees.
Rating: 7
Subs
17: Jarlath Collins
Did make an impact upon introduction, having also came on as blood sub in opening period.
Rating: 6
22: Eoin O’Regan
Provided great energy at perfect time despite theatrical fall near dug-outs.
Rating: 5
25: Tom Kavanagh
Had a great chance to clinich the win but his shot from left wing fell short.
Rating: 5
18: James O’Dwyer
Not on long enough for a rating
Kilmaley
1: Bryan O’Loughlin
While Darragh Stack was performing heroics at one end, Bryan O’Loughlin was only called upon at the death but excelled with a brilliant double save from David Reidy and Danny Russell.
Rating: 8
30: Brian McNamara
Inspirational as a roving forward v Sixmilebridge but even more impressive as man-marker as in truth, he curbed National Hurler of Year O’Donnell as well as any inter-county back did this year.
Rating: 8
3: Colin McGuane
Kilmaley’s full-back line not overly tested as Éire Óg didn’t supply their inside forwards too often. McGuane did get important touch to fizzing Reidy centre destined for a Russell goal chance.
Rating: 6
4: Joe Casey
Really strong on Éire Óg’s joint-top scorer from play Marco Cleary, only coughing up one second half point chance that was hit wide of post. Casey won a free and a puck-out in other direction.
Rating: 8
19: Colin Carmody
Only his third start of the campaign and kept Darren O’Brien relatively quiet until second half. Didn’t get on enough ball himself though to really drive Kilmaley forward in crucial second period
Rating: 6
6: Daire Keane
Started really positively after immediate set-back of Moroney goal, winning three puck-outs, winning a free and providing an assist. Faded from prominence though in low-key second half.
Rating: 7
7: Aidan McGuane
Bryan O’Loughin’s main source of short puck-outs over the hour but particularly in the first half as they found their feet. Didn’t have as much joy as normal in his foraging half-back role though.
Rating: 6
8: Tommy Barry
Was typically tigerish but had great chance of what would have been an equalising goal at two-thirds mark that Stack saved and Ciaran Russell cleared. Midfield overrun a little by that stage.
Rating: 6
9: Sean Kennedy
Kilmaley on top around centre in the first half, with Kennedy scoring first point and almost a rebound goal when Cleary’s flick was saved. Blue engine room never got going on restart though.
Rating: 6
7: Eanna McMahon
Made switch from wing-back to forward to accommodate Brian Mc’s shadowing of O’Donnell. Initially fared well, winning a free and scoring a point but that was extent of shooting exploits.
Rating: 6
11: Mikey O’Malley
As ever, was at heart of attacks, setting up O’Rourke for early goal chance and two others for points. Scoring seven himself too but last missed free to force extra-time was tough to take.
Rating: 7
12: Mikey O’Neill
Not as influential as previous ties as not really afforded the space to thrive and pulled the strings for Kilmaley. Did grab a point against the grain at the start of third quarter and won two puck-outs.
Rating: 7
10: Sean O’Loughlin
Had two key assists when teeing up Tommy Barry for saved effort before intercepting puck-out to supply Conor Cleary for leading goal. Directly set-up five other points through frees and passes.
Rating: 8
14: Conor Cleary
Central to three of Kilmaley’s five goal chances, scoring one himself, seeing a reverse flick saved while also the one to pick out the run of Tom O’Rourke for best save of hour. Inspirational all year.
Rating: 8
13: Tom O’Rourke
Halloween has come early as O’Rourke will see Darragh Stack in his nightmares over coming weeks. Didn’t do a lot wrong with shots, it’s just that the Éire Óg goalkeeper was in particularly defiant mood.
Rating: 7
Substitutes
15: Colm Killeen
Eager to impress but struck a wide at crucial time.
Rating: 5
18: Eoin Enright
Battled around the centre but couldn’t get space.
Rating: 5
29: Cathal Darcy
Had two late clearances and was the pick of the replacements.
Rating: 5
24: Sean Ronan
Not on long enough for a rating
