WEST HURLING: Clonoulty second half surge sees off Cashel to qualify for the U21 final

By Francis Coughlan at Clonoulty

Clonoulty/Rossmore ended Cashel King Cormacs reign as O’Dwyer Steel West U21A Hurling champions at a sunny but cool Clonoulty on Sunday.

In what had been a tight game for the opening forty with the sides level on seven different occasion and never more than a point or two between the sides, Paddy Kennedy’s forty second minute goal gave Clonoulty/Rossmore the breathing space they needed and while the defending champions pushed hard to stay in the game, the eventual winners would never relinquish the lead.

Playing with the aid of the breeze Cathal Quinn had Cashel King Cormacs off the mark after twenty seconds and Ronan Connolly doubled that a minute later.

By the end of the second minute Robert Doyle opened Clonoulty/Rossmore’s account when his one-handed effort went over the bar. Doyle and Paraic Brosnan enjoying a good battle throughout.

There was further drama in the fifth minute when Anthony Walsh saw his penalty saved by Jason O’Dwyer at the expense of a sixty five which Cashel failed to convert.

Doyle who would have a big influence throughout the game levelled proceedings at two each in the ninth minute.

Alex Carroll and Stephen Ferncombe from a placed ball pushed Clonoulty/Rossmore two up. The middle third was at times crowded with players having to find a way through traffic while both teams were willing to give up possession to the spare corner back.

The sliotar at times getting held up with numerous rucks. Dan Moloney was dropping deep for Cashel and winning a lot of ball with Andrew Irwin strong in the aerial battles while Paddy and Jack Kennedy were having a big influence for Clonoulty/Rossmore. 

Cashel hit a purple patch with three points in two minutes from Anthony Walsh, Jack McGrath and Conor O’Dwyer. Not to be undone Ferncombe landed another placed ball to tie up the game for the second time.

Again, the teams traded scores with the sides level twice more in the next five minutes. Doyle adding a third from full forward. There would be no further score for the remainder of the half with the teams going to the dressing rooms level at 0-7 each. 

Cashel though having hit eight wides to Clonoulty/Rossmore’s four. Scores were hard to come by in the first ten minutes of the resumption with the sides trading points from placed balls.

Ferncombe continuing his good form while Anthony Walsh pointed from close range frees with Ronan Connally taking the long-distance ones. The sides were now level for a seventh time.

The game changed in the twelfth minute of the half when after some good pressure Paddy Kennedy broke through the Cashel cover for the games only goal. It was the first time in the game that three points had separated the sides.

Walsh pointed another free but then Jamie Davern responded in kind at the other end. Clonoulty/Rossmore were beginning to find a bit more room and Ferncombe forced a good save from Dylan O’Grady.

Ferncombe was now having a big say on the game and he punished Cashel indiscipline. With five to play Ferncombe pushed the lead to four and soon that would go to five.

In between Cashel now attempted to work goal chances and also dropped a number of placed balls short ensuring the Clonoulty/Rossmore defence was kept on its toes.

The defence made a number of vital blocks to deny goal attempts while Danny Slattery made a number of runs out of defence in possession. Robert Doyle at this stage was now drafted back into defence and he too made a number of vital interceptions.

Jamie Davern added his second while Ferncombe added a late free to seal the win. Cashel King Cormacs would finish with fourteen men following a late dismissal.

Clonoulty/Rossmore will now face the winners of Golden/Kilfeacle and Cappawhite Gaels in this year’s final.

Scores and Teams:
Clonoulty/Rossmore: Stephen Ferncombe (0-9, (0-8f)), Robert Doyle (0-3), Paddy Kennedy (1-0), Jamie Davern (0-2), Alex Carroll (0-1)

Cashel King Cormacs: Anthony Walsh (0-5f), Ronan Connolly (0-2f), Cathal Quinn (0-1), Jack McGrath (0-1), Conor O’Dwyer (0-1), Oisin O’Donoghue (0-1)

Clonoulty/Rossmore: Jason O’Dwyer, Richard Ferncombe, Donnacha Carroll, Michael Ryan L, Jack Kennedy, Danny Slattery, Keelan Ryan, Paddy Kennedy, Cormac Quirke, Frank O’Dwyer, Stephen Ferncombe, Jamie Davern, Seamus Kennedy, Robert Doyle, Alex Carroll
Subs Used: Shane Daver, Finbar Ryan

Cashel King Cormacs: Dylan O’Grady, Joe Davis, Paraic Brosnan, Kieran O’Dwyer, Fabian Ryan, Conor O’Dwyer, Andrew Irwin, Ronan Connolly, Cathal Quinn, Dan Moloney, Ross Whelan, Oisin O’Donoghue, Anthony Walsh, Jack McGrath, David McGrath

Referee: John McCormack (Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams)