Clara: 0.19 Silvermines 1.14
Clara have reached the AIB All-Ireland Intermediate Club Final by beating Silvermines of Tipperary in what was a truly enjoyable game of hurling. From start to finish there was never more than two points between the teams with the lead swapping hands on more than one occasion. The conditions were terrible which in turn made the pitch next to unplayable. Keith Hogan’s 65′ at the end of normal time brought the teams level and into extra time. In extra time Clara got two points in both halves where Silvermines only got one point in each half. As the final whistle blew the Clara team and management celebrated. Final Score: Clara 0-19, Silvermines 1-14. Clara Scorers: Keith Hogan 10 points(8 frees), Liam Ryan 3 points, Austin Murphy 2 points, Conor Phelan, Ciarán Prendergast, Lester Ryan and Chris Bolger 1 point each.
Thomastown 3.14 Kildorrery 0.13.
This was always going to be a game of two halves with a gale blowing down the pitch in Cashel. Kildorrery had the aid of the elements in the first half but the Kilkenny side more than matched them and a Stuart Waugh goal on 10 mins pushed Thomastown into the lead. Then, when the Cork goalkeeper was penalised for pucking out from outside the square in the 20th minute, Johnjo Farrell gathered the throw in and shot to the net to put Thomastown 5 points to the good. With the wind advantage to come they were very much in the driving seat. But Kildorrery put in a storming end to the half and scored 1.2 without reply. Thomastown ‘keeper Dylan Walsh was sent off in the goal incident and it was a very concerned Kilkenny side that headed to the dressing room for the half-time break. But they need not have worried and a great start to the second half by Michael Donnelly, who slotted over 3 points in as many minutes, settled the nerves. A Thomas O Hanrahan goal on 6 minutes extended the lead to 6 points and from there on the Kilkenny side were never really troubled. The Cork side found it hard to get the ball into the Thomastown half and Michael Donnelly and Johnjo Farrell continued to pile on the scores while a resolute defence ensured that Kildorrery would not cause an upset.
Thomastown: Dylan Walsh, Sean Mahony, Shane Lanigan, Brian Murphy, Barry Whelan, Peter O’Hanrahan, Richard O’Hara, Dessie Walsh, Derek Lanigan, Stuart Waugh(1.0), Michael Donnelly(0.9), Darren Burke, Johnjo Farrell(1.4), Michael Mahony, Thomas O Hanrahan(1.0). Subs: Darragh Mc Garry, Dylan Waugh(0.1), Adrian Burke Full marks to the Cashel King Cormac’s Club for the condition of the playing surface today and for their excellent hosting of the game.
Full marks to the Cashel King Cormac’s Club for the condition of the playing surface for todays game and for the general excellent hosting of the event.
By Mary Morgan Sun 27th Jan
