*Senan Dunford grabs a hold of the sliotar as Ashley Brohan hits the ground and James Cullinan tackles. Photograph: Ruthie Griffin.
TUBBER are through to a first intermediate semi-final in two years after leading neighbours Ruan from start to finish to advance to the last four.
Tubber 2-16
Ruan 0-17
Venue: Clarecastle
Five point victors for a finish, Tubber were the more consistent side over the hour to deservedly claim their place in the last four of the Clare premier intermediate hurling championship (PIHC).
With the wind at their backs for the opening half, Tubber led by six at the interval. Three points was the closest Leon Quirke’s Ruan could make the margin in the second half.
Frankie Lyons’ sending off on fifty seven minutes meant Ruan had to finish with fourteen men. Though it will take time before the club begins to look to 2027, one of the biggest consequences of the result is that they are without one of their most promising players for the first round of next year’s championship.
Three points separated the sides at the time of Lyons striking Tubber defender Joey Droney in a rare instance of the corner back getting the benefit of the doubt for the match officials. The correct call was made by referee Niall Donovan after consulting with his officials.
Liveliest out of the traps, Tubber were 1-4 0-1 in front by the tenth minute. Senan Dunford struck for goal with the game a mere sixty eight seconds old, Ruan netminder was overturned in possession and the Clare panellist pounced for goal. He fired over two points, Jordan Nolan adding another before Ruan opened their account via Jack McDonagh on five minutes.
Ronan Taaffe pulled off a nice save to deny Lyons an early green flag. There should have been another Ruan score but freetaker Aidan Lynch was penalised for taking too long with the placed ball. Instead of reducing the deficit, Ruan ended up conceding a point when the ball broke to midfielder Clive Earley to create the six point lead on ten minutes.
Four Lynch scores and one from Shane Punch saw Ruan come within three points on twenty three minutes. They had another goal chance but Lyons’ handpass to Shane Punch went a stretch too far and once again Tubber got to clear their lines.
At the other end another preventable goal was conceded. Clive Earley and Cathal McNamara combined well, only to be denied by the upright, corner back Jason Power was turned over, the sliotar falling to Jordan Nolan who captialised to raise Tubber’s second green flag.
Points from Lorcan O’Grady and Osgar Dunford extended the margin to eight but Ruan finished the half with scores from Shane Punch and a nice long distance effort from Jamie Ryan.
With three of the first four scores on the restart, Ruan reduced the arrears to four but this was as good as it got but Tubber replied with three points on the trot. The Division 3 league champions did put together four points without reply, making it a three point game by the fifty first minute.
Then came the Lyons sending off and Tubber who already appeared the more assured outfit added three of the next four scores and claiming their place in the last four.
Following their nine point exit to Clarecastle at this stage last season, Tubber knew full well the damage that can occur by a knockout no-show. Pat Taaffe’s side delivered on this occasion and were the superior side. Ronan Monahan gave a man of the match display at centre back, keeping danger man Robin Mounsey scoreless but also inspiring his side with his contributions. Senan Dunford shone at the other end of the field with Clive Earley rolling back the years in the middle of the pitch.
Falling to their earliest exit in the second tier since 2022 will sting Ruan and rightly so. This performance was not a true reflection of what they can offer but they struggled to get the best out of their biggest players. Wing backs Píaras Ó Se and Jamie Ryan were their standout players while Frankie Lyons always looked threatening in possession.
All photographs by Ruthie Griffin.
Scorers Tubber: S Dunford (1-2), J Nolan (1-2 1f), L O’Grady (0-4 4f), C Earley (0-3), D McMahon (0-2), O Dunford (0-1), B Earley (0-1), R Monahan (0-1).
Scorers Ruan: S Punch (0-6 1f), A Lynch (0-4 3f), J Ryan (0-2), F Lyons (0-2), J McDonagh (0-1), R Power (0-1), P Ó Sé (0-1).
Tubber:
1: Ronan Taaffe
2: Fergal O’Grady
3: Pappy Taaffe
4: Joey Droney
6: Patrick O’Connor
5: Ronan Monahan
7: Joe Clancy
8: Lorcan O’Grady
9: Clive Earley
10: Osgar Dunford
11: Senan Dunford
15: Macauley Brennan
23: Jordan Nolan
14: Domhnall McMahon
13: Cathal McNamara
Subs:
22: Blaine Earley for Brennan (27)
12: Cathal Droney for McNamara (36)
21: Darragh O’Connor for B Earley (47) (inj)
25: Mark Earley for L O’Grady (60)
Ruan:
1: Keelan Mounsey
4: Ashley Brohan
3: Patrick O’Gorman
2: Jason Power
7: Píaras Ó Sé
6: James Cullinan
5: Jamie Ryan
8: Ryan Power
9: Darragh McInerney
10: Patrick O’Halloran
11: Robin Mounsey
12: Shane Punch
15: Frankie Lyons
14: Aidan Lynch
13: Jack McDonagh
Subs:
17: Christian Cummins for O’Halloran (38)
18: Daniel Guinnane for McDonagh (53)
19: Diarmuid Hastings for Mounsey (61) (inj)
Referee: Niall Donovan (O’Callaghans Mills)
