Sean Treacys pip Clonoulty Rossmore in a thrilling hurling semi final

John O’Shea at Kilcommon

Sean Treacys are through to the Final of the Maria Marron Palmers Hill Stud West Junior B Hurling League for the first time since 2017 following their three point victory over Clonoulty Rossmore at Kilcommon on Tuesday evening.

Played in good conditions, the crowd were treated to an hour of honest endeavour, with both teams going on all-out attack. This seven-goal thriller was a joy to witness with the home side fully deserving their victory. They finished the stronger, with their more experienced players coming good in the final twenty minutes where they outscored their opponents by 1.9 to 0.2 during that period.

Their fitness definitely was a contributing factor, coupled with the point taking ability of Pat Dawson, who finished with 0.9 to his credit. The home side attacked from the start with Colm Ryan getting the scoreboard ticking inside the opening minute with a point at the far end.

Clonoulty/Rossmore equalised on five minutes from the stick of Fiachra O’Keeffe before Martin Ryan (Ned) goaled having been put through by Alex Carroll after eight minutes. Treacys came back with the next four scores, a goal from Jayden Healy, two points from Stevie Carr and a long-range effort from Christy Egan to go two points to the good by the quarter hour mark.

The visitors struck back with Alex Carroll making a defence splitting run from midfield before firing past Sean Malone at the scoreboard end. Carroll followed up with a converted free before Fiachra O’Keeffe hit his second minor. Pat Dawson finally got off the mark with a point on twenty-three minutes before Stephen Kearney put a goal between the sides with his first score of the evening.

Christy Egan and Alex Carroll traded points late on to leave the half time score, Clonoulty/Rossmore 2.6, Sean Treacys 1.6.

The second half started at a blistering pace with scores coming hard and fast. Treacys were quickly out of the blocks with Pat Dawson putting over his second point before Donnacha O’Brien goaled from close-in.

Directly from the puck out, Stephen Kearney gained possession and fed Fiachra O’Keeffe, who made no mistake. Martin Ryan (Ned) pointed to go three up, Alex Carroll put over from a side line cut and Fiachra O’Keeffe turned provider to set up Stephen Kearney for Clonoulty’s Fourth goal, for a seven-point lead after thirty six minutes.

The home side never panicked and kept their shape Pat Dawson came more into the game with points from placed balls and open play. Jayden Healy got in for his second and Treacys third goal, when the Clonoulty defence failed to deal with a high dropping ball. The deficit was now down to three with fifteen minutes remaining, but with the home side gaining the upper hand.

The final fifteen minutes was all Treacys with points coming from Stevie Carr, Pat Dawson and Donnacha O’Brien as they ran out three-point winners. Sean Treacys now play Golden/Kilfeacle in the Final.

Scorers & Teams:
Sean Treacys: Pat Dawson (0.9, 5 frees), Jayden Healy (2.0), Stevie Carr (0.4), Donnacha O’Brien (1.1), Christy Egan (0.2), Colm Ryan (0.1)

Clonoulty/Rossmore: Alex Carroll (1.5, 5 frees), Fiachra O’Keeffe (1.2), Stephen Kearney (1.2), Martin Ryan (Ned) (1.1), Seamus Kennedy (1.1)

Sean Treacys: Sean Malone, Philip Treacy, Andy O’Brien, Brendan O’Dwyer, Christy Egan, Tom Hickey, Mike Hayes, Shane Fahy, Tommy O’Dwyer, Colm Ryan, Stevie Carr, Donnacha O’Brien (Captain), Pat Dawson, Seamus Carey, Jayden Healy
Sub used; Shane Stapleton for Seamus Carey (44)

Clonoulty/Rossmore; Aidan Carroll, Mikey Ryan (Lanty), Adam Fryday, Declan O’Dwyer, Donnacha Carroll, Dylan Kennedy, Darren Corcoran, Seamus Kennedy, James Ryan (Winnie) (Captain), Alex Carroll, Martin Ryan (Ned), Kieran Carroll, Fiachra O’Keeffe, Stephen Kearney, Fintan Kearney
Subs used: Odhran Quirke for Fintan Kearney (46), Finbarr Ryan for Darren Corcoran (51), Paddy Hennessy for Seamus Kennedy (57)

Referee; Donal Ryan (P) (Cappawhite)