Online Club Hurling Championship coverage brought to you by the Temple Gate Hotel—home to Chapter 24 Gastropub and Gate 96 Restaurant.
*Mark Rodgers in possession for Scariff.
SCARIFF have knocked last year’s finalists Clooney/Quin out of the Clare SHC, qualifying for the semi-finals for the first time since 2023.
Scariff 1-25
Clooney/Quin 0-27
Venue: Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg, Ennis
Ironically it was an extra time win three years ago at the quarter-final stage when Scariff prevailed over Clooney/Quin. Once again, it was a teak tough battle between the sides that set a high standard in the first of the last eight ties.
Taking the lead for the first time on forty seven minutes, Clooney/Quin appeared to be in the driving seat but Scariff would fire six points of the last eleven points to claim the spoils, producing a gritty display reflecting the fighting spirit shown by manager Donal Moloney on the sideline.
They may have been the walking wounded with Patrick Ryan and Liam Crotty among those ruled out before the throw-in, Keelan Hartigan tweaked his hamstring in the closing moments but they still found a way to win.
On top of this, Paul Rodgers was hobbling on one ankle from the second quarter onwards, such problems didn’t impact on the hands and wrists of the All-Ireland winning U20 hurler who played a key role despite the mobility struggles when he was moved from midfield to the inside line.
His older brother Mark went to midfield in the resulting switch, his ability to leap into the sky and catch the sliotar at height made him a valuable addition in the middle third, a feat made more impressive by his recovery from a broken hand.
Corner back Scott Cairns had two goal-saving hooks on Dannan Fox, one in either half while William Kavanagh had to be on alert, springing from his line to distract Peter Duggan enough on thirty five minutes when a long puckout from Keith Hogan had him about to pull the sliotar to the net.
It was the green flag from Mark Rodgers on twenty nine minutes which proved to be a vital score in the game. Matthew Crotty was bursting forward and was hooked but instead of losing possession, Scariff were fortunate that Rodgers was razor quick to scoop the break then run over forty yards before firing to the net.
MORE TO FOLLOW
Scorers Scariff: M Rodgers (1-9 8f), S Kavanagh (0-5 2’65 1f), R Ryan (0-4), K Hartigan (0-2), P Rodgers (0-2), D Treacy (0-1), P Crotty (0-1), C Downes (0-1).
Scorers Clooney/Quin: P Duggan (0-10 7f 1’65 1SC), J O’Neill (0-6), R Taylor (0-3), D McNamara (0-3), J O’Connor (0-2), J Corry (0-1), D Fox (0-1), D Keogh (0-1).
Scariff:
1: William Kavanagh
17: Seamus McCaul
4: Daniel Treacy
2: Scott Cairns
5: Conor Downes
6: Matthew Crotty
7: Shane Kavanagh
25: Seán Collins
12: Paul Rodgers
11: Patrick Crotty
9: Keelan Hartigan
3: Michael Scanlan
13: Rory Ryan
14: Mark Rodgers
10: Patrick Nugent
Subs:
15: Diarmaid Nash for Scanlan (39)
28: Ben Sweeney for Nugent (47)
19: Michael Vaughan for Collins (49)
22: Éanna O’Brien for Hartigan (51) (inj)
Clooney/Quin:
1: Keith Hogan
4: Evan Maxted
3: John Conneally
5: John Cahill
6: Darragh Keogh
7: Conor Grogan
2: Seán McNamara
17: Jimmy Corry
9: Ryan Taylor
12: Callum Hassett
15: Jerry O’Connor
11: Jack O’Neill
13: Dannan Fox
10: Peter Duggan
14: Darragh McNamara
Subs:
20: Sam Scanlon for Hassett (39)
26: Martin Duggan for D McNamara (60) (inj)
18: Patrick Finnernan for Fox (63)
Referee: Fergal O’Brien (Broadford)
