Comfortable win sends Arravale Rovers through to Under 19 B hurling final in west Tipperary

Arravale Rovers 2-23 Clonoulty/Rossmore 0-12

Arravale Rovers are through to the final of the McGrath Oil West Tipperary Under 19B Hurling Championship following their comprehensive victory over Clonoulty/Rossmore in the semi-final at Leahy Park Cashel on Wednesday evening. 

In a game played in ideal conditions, the town side were much superior and once they settled, they played the game on their terms. They had nine scorers across the sixty minutes, compared to just two from the opposition. With Sean O'Mahony, Shane Quigley and Ciaran Kelly starring in attack, the Clonoulty defence were always under pressure. 

The opening five minutes were even enough, but Arravale quickly upped their game and pushed on. Ben Dudley saved a penalty from Jamie Davern after twelve minutes, when three points separated the sides.

It took Sean O’Mahony fifteen minutes to register his opening score, but from then on he was inspirational. Paddy Kennedy kept Clonoulty in the game, but they trailed 0-15 to 0-7 at the break. Dudley again came to Arravale’s rescue when he saved from Seamus Kennedy six minutes after the restart, and when Kelly and Quigley struck for goals during the third quarter, the game was over as a contest. 

Arravale attacked from the off and David Ryan pointed after twenty seconds. Paddy Kennedy tied the game from a free, before Shane Quigley and Jamie Davern traded points, all inside three minutes.

Clonoulty were lucky not to concede a goal, but the defence held firm. Rovers came more into the game and were 0-6 to 0-3 to the good by the tenth minute. Clonoulty were awarded a penalty, but Jamie Davern’s shot was saved by Ben Dudley at the expense of a 65, which Paddy Kennedy converted. This was as close as Clonoulty would get, as Arravale hit nine of the next twelve points to go in at the break leading by eight. 

Jamie Davern pulled one back inside the opening minute after the restart, but again Arravale took control. Dudley saved from Seamus Kennedy and Ciaran Kelly rounded the defence to raise the first green flag.

Shane Quigley followed up with another on fourteen minutes and this really ended the game as a contest. The closing quarter was even enough but by then Arravale had the hard work completed to book their place in the final, where they will play the Eire Og/Sean Treacys combination. 

Scorers: Arravale Rovers: Sean O’Mahony (0-10, 7 frees), Shane Quigley (1-5), Ciaran Kelly (1-1), Eoin Doocey (0-2), Evan Hawkins (0-1), Daniel Ryan (0-1), Adam Ryan (0-1), John Paul Lohan (0-1 free), David Ryan (0-1).

Clonoulty/Rossmore: Paddy Kennedy (0-9, 6 frees), Jamie Davern (0-3, 2 frees).

Arravale Rovers: Ben Dudley, Alan Delaney, Ronan O’Connor, Odhran O’Dwyer, Alex Webster, John Paul Lohan (captain), Peter Ryan, Eoin Doocey, David Ryan, David O’Brien, Sean O’Mahony, Adam Ryan, Shane Quigley, Donal Ryan, Ciaran Kelly.

Subs: Evan Hawkins for Ciaran Kelly (40 mins), Oisin Hogan for David O’Brien (40 mins), Colm Power for Alan Delaney (52 mins). 

Clonoulty/Rossmore: Gavin Ryan (Lanty), Jack Heffernan, Donnchadh Carroll, Richard Ferncombe, Keelan Ryan (captain), Jamie Davern, Danny O’Keeffe, Micheal Ryan (Lanty), Finbarr Ryan, Louis Coffey, Paddy Kennedy, Conor Kennedy, Micheal Ryan (Casey), Seamus Kennedy, Jim Ryan.

Subs: Frank O’Dwyer for Jim Ryan (34 mins), Shane Davern for Louis Coffey (40 mins). 

Referee: Davy Ryan (Cashel King Cormacs).