Epic Mid final ends in penalty drama as Gortnahoe Glengoole edge out Clonakenny

Doran Oil Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship Final

Gortnahoe Glengoole 0-25

Clonakenny 0-25

Gortnahoe win 4-2 on penalties AET

By Michael Dundon

Beaten county finalists last year, Gortnahoe Glengoole set down a marker for this year’s Premier Intermediate hurling championship as they claimed the Doran Oil Mid title with a dramatic penalty shootout win over holders Clonakenny after extra time failed to produce a winner at Templetuohy on Saturday.

A four to two penalty win after extra time sent the Fr John Joe O’Rourke cup to Gortnahoe Glengoole, appropriately in that the late Fr O’Rourke was Parish Priest in the parish for many years, but Clonakenny will be justifiably disappointed to lose and point to the loss of key attacker Cian O’Dwyer in the first half as a decisive factor.

O’Dwyer had been the main source of scores for them in the campaign, and his departure so early on was a huge blow, particularly in so tightly fought a contest.

Much was expected of this encounter and what it lacked in quality it more than compensated for in the manner in which fortunes fluctuated with each enjoying periods of superiority.

Gortnahoe were delighted with their win but it was tough on Clonakenny to lose in such a manner and they will certainly feel they had the chances to claim the trophy.

Gortnahoe, with Keane Hayes deadly accurate from frees and play, registering six points, made the early running in a modest enough encounter but Clonakenny, ably led by John Joe Ryan who hit five points, finished the half strongly to be narrowly in front at the break 0-11 to 0-9.

By no means a decisive lead the game was still very much in the balance as fans waited for an increase in intensity in the second half.

And so it transpired with Gortnahoe re-opening in blistering style to register five unanswered points, three from Hayes, to forge ahead.

Clonakenny were not giving in however, and they shot the next six points, three from John Joe Ryan, to re-establish a three points lead.

They were four ahead with five minutes to go but in a thrilling finish, Keane Hayes pointed three times and Darragh Maher added another to level.

Into extra time with no change in the pattern, Clonakenny forging a point clear by the break. Gortnahoe had two Hayes points in the second half of extra time and looked like holding on but up popped John Joe Ryan to level for Clonakenny, sending the game to a penalty shootout.

In the shootout Keane Hayes, Darragh Maher, Conor Gleeson and Fionn Cleary were on target for Gortnahoe Glengoole with Willie Ryan and Delacy Byrne the goal scorers for Clonakenny.

It was a victory that will hugely boost Gortnahoe Glengoole ahead of their campaign at county level in which they are grouped with Lorrha, Portroe and Killenaule, a most difficult assignment.

Conor Gleeson, Kevin Slattery and Davy Nolan were solid in defence with goalie Timmy Dunne winning praise for a save in the penalty shoot-out.

However, Keane Hayes was their star on the day with four points from play in addition to his twelve from frees. Darragh Maher, Fionn Cleary and Brian Maher also contributed handsomely to the success.

Clonakenny’s focus now turns to the county championship and they have little time to gather themselves after this setback.
They too are in a difficult group along with Burgess, Silvermines, and Newport, qualification from which is by no means certain.

They will be hoping that Cian O’Dwyer will be fit to line out as he is a big influence on their side. Their key men in this tie were Willie Ryan, Diarmuid Ryan, John Joe Ryan, Bobby Bergin, Delacy Byrne, and Matthew O’Sullivan who bagged two points.

Gortnahoe Glengoole: Timmy Dunne; Liam Hayes, Davy Nolan, Conor Gleeson (0-1); Martin Barnaville, Kevin Slattery, Brian Maher; Karl Campion, Jack Moore; Adrian Maher, Fionna Cleary (0-2), Darragh Maher (0-4); Damian Corbett (0-2, 0-1f), Colm Guilfoyle, Keane Hayes (0-16, 0-12f).

Subs used: Aidan Guilfoyle for A Maher; Gearoid Fahy for Guilfoyle; Davy Lanigan for Moore.

Clonakenny: Stephen Russell; Cian Russell, John Costigan, Alexi Harty; Donal Greed, Willie Ryan (0-1), Diarmuid Ryan; Delacy Byrne, Paul Bergin; Michael John Carroll, John Joe Ryan (0-15, 0-13f), Bobby Bergin (0-5); Nicky Ryan, Peadar Byrne, Cian O’Dwyer (0-1f).

Subs used: Matthew O’Sullivan (0-2) for O’Dwyer; Proinnsias Matthews for P Bergin; Conor Shanahan for P Byrne; Brian Mullally (0-1) for C Russell; John O’Meara for Carroll; Tom Carroll for D Ryan.

Referee: Johnny Dooley (Thurles Gaels)