Clodiagh Gaels leave Clara reeling with great come from behind win

CLODIAGH Gaels turned in a terrific, spirited second half to wrestle victory from Clara's grasp in a gripping Offaly Senior “B” Hurling Championship semi-final in O'Connor Park on Sunday.

Molloy Environmental Systems Senior “B” Hurling Championship semi-final

Clodiagh Gaels 2-18

Clara 2-15

2-14 to 1-13 behind with less than ten minutes remaining, the Killeigh-Killurin combination got 1-5 of the last 1-6 to book their final place against the winners of title favourites Seir Kieran and Kilcormac-Killoughey.

It was a great win by Clodiagh Gaels who had an awful first fifteen minutes and hung in by their wits for must of the first half. Considering the way the first half went, Clodiagh Gaels were very happy to be only 1-11 to 1-7 behind at the break. In some ways, that four point deficit felt like a “win” for Clodiagh Gaels, Clara had done the vast majority of the hurling and their superiority was not reflected in that lead.

Clara were still four points ahead inside the last ten minutes but their composure was gone and they were looking for the final whistle way too early. Both sides began to make errors as it all tightened up in the closing quarter but Clara's mistake level crept just too high and as the final whistle loomed into sight, the possibility of a Clodiagh Gaels win became a likelihood – even before they had edged in front.

It was a very enjoyable game. Honest and full of honest endeavour with plenty of good hurling played by both sides and some fine individual performances.

Every ball was hard earned and Clara played some great hurling in the first half. They started like a train and were 1-3 to no score up after four minutes, Barry Cushen scoring their goal in the second minute. Liam Langton had four early wides for Clodiagh Gaels and it was eight minutes on when Emmet Curley got their first point, a fine strike from out left.

Clara were full value for their 1-7 to 0-3 lead after 18 minutes and Clodiagh Gaels got back into it with a 19th minute goal against the run of play, Mark Dillon brilliantly flicking a dropping Cathal Brady point shot into the net.

Clodiagh Gaels improved after this and had the deficit back to 1-11 to 1-7 at half time. A 38th minute goal from Conor Egan, finished superbly after Barry Cushen and Josh Fleming linked in the build up gave Clara a very decent 2-12 to 1-8 lead but that was the high point of the afternoon for them.

Clodiagh Gaels got back into it with five points in a row and the gap was just two after 47 minutes. Cormac Delaney had crucial misses from frees for Clara in the second half but got one in the 51st minute to make it 2-14 to 1-13.

Clodiagh Gaels finished brilliantly, Mark Dillon got a great point and the lively Sean Brady brought it down to two. The goal they needed arrived in the 55th minute when Josh Fleming coughed up the ball on the sideline and Joey Keenaghan blasted the resultant delivery to the net.

With victory within touching distance, Clodiagh Gaels were relentless and opened up a three point gap with a Liam Langton free and a super Sean Rattigan score from play. Clara had one chance in the 60th minute when awarded a 21 metre free. County player Conor Doyle went for goal but his rasper flew inches over the bar. That was that and Kevin Kinahan's fantastic long range free put the icing on the cake in injury time – Liam Langton had waved him away from one earlier and then put it wide.

MATCH ANALYSIS

MAN OF THE MATCH

Mark Dillon (Clodiagh Gaels): Mark Dillon was instrumental in Clodiagh Gaels winning and is the choice. He was great in the first half when limited ball went in but he caused consternation in the Clara rearguard with his ability to win it. His goal kept them alive, he scored 1-3 in all and his physical presence on the edge of the square gave Clodiagh Gaels a great focus.

Ruari Dunne did a lot of great defensive work for them and Sean Brady impressed in the attack. Liam Langton deserves special mention. It looked like it could have been one of those days for him with his early wides and he should have stood aside when Kevin Kinahan came out to take a second half free not far from his own 40 metre line but one of Langton's great strengths is that misses don't impact him and his confidence and self belief remains high. He continued to forage, got one excellent second half free from an acute angle, a super point from play and Clodiagh Gaels would have found it hard to win without him.

Clara gave a great account of themselves and had every chance to win. Barry Cushen was excellent in their attack and Barry Egan's work ethic, willingness to take knocks and put his body on the line commanded complete respect. Ultimately, however, Clara lost their way when it mattered most and have no complaints at the result.

THE SCORERS

Clodiagh Gaels: Liam Langton 0-8 (7f), Mark Dillon 1-3, Joey Keenaghan 1-1, Sean Brady 0-2, Kevin Kinahan, Emmet Curley, Cathal Brady and Sean Rattigan 0-1 each.

Clara: Cormac Delaney 0-6 (5f), Barry Cushen 1-2, Conor Egan 1-0, Josh Fleming 0-2, Conor Doyle (f), Ciaran Doyle, Marcas Dalton, Barry Egan, Ross Brady 0-1 each.

THE TEAMS

CLODIAGH GAELS: Kevin Kinahan; Caolan Flanagan, Clint Horan, Conor Berry; Ruari Dunne, Aaron Flanagan, Dylan Hyland; Eoin Dunne, Diarmuid Walsh; Emmet Curley, Liam Langton, Cathal Brady; Joey Keenaghan, Mark Dillon, Sean Brady. Subs – Sean Rattgan for Curley (30 + 1m), Sean Dunne for Dunne (HT), Conor Langton for Walsh (42m), Ed Cullen for Brady (49m),

CLARA: Willie Fleming; Myles Handy, Callum Bracken, Scott Griffith; Alan Gavin, Conor Doyle, Ciaran Doyle; Marcas Dalton, John Ledith; Barry Egan, Cormac Delaney, Conor Egan; Barry Cushen, Ross Brady, Josh Fleming. Subs – Colm Doyle for Ledwith (42m), Liam Flynn for Conor Egan (58m),

Referee – Shane Guinan, Drumcullen.

REFEREE WATCH

Shane Guinan refereed it very well. He let play run but was quick to punish hefty challenges. Emmet Curley was very relieved to get yellow and not red after an unnecessary retalliation when fouled by Barry Egan in the 10th minute – he couldn't have complained much if the colour was red, even if it was so early in the game and his reaction was completely spontaneous.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

A big turning point came in the 47th minute when Clara were a goal ahead and still in control of their own destiny. Cormac Delaney missed a fairly bread and butter free, Clodiagh Gaels attacked and Liam Langton stroked over a wondeful point from out on the right wing. Instead of Clara being four points up, the lead was just two but the impact wwas much deeper as Clodiagh Gaels' confidence soared and Clara's dipped at a crucial stage.

VENUE WATCH

O'Connor Park was in great condition with plenty of interest in both clubs in this game.

WHAT'S NEXT

Clodiagh Gaels go into the semi-final against Kilcormac-Killoughey or Seir Kieran.

STATISTICS

Wides: Clara – 15 (6 in first half); Clodiagh Gaels – 14 (7 in first half).

Yellow cards: Clara – 2 (Ross Brady, Josh Fleming); Clodiagh Gaels – 1 (Emmet Curkley).

Red cards: 0