Bowe stars for Moyne Templetuohy in hard-fought Mid championship win over Clonakenny

Doran Oil Mid Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship quarter-final

Moyne Templetuohy 1-23

Clonakenny 2-18

By Ronan Loughnane

Moyne Templetuohy survived a late Black and Amber push from Clonakenny to advance to the Premier Intermediate mid semi-final with two points to spare following a lively contest in Templemore on Saturday evening. 

READ NEXT: Darcy runs amok on the Éire Óg defence to send Kilruane MacDonaghs into the last four

Hurling is a different game nowadays, with much emphasis on finding space, with the victors finding plenty early on. Cormac Deegan at half forward took full advantage of his freedom, clipping over five points in the opening ten minutes as it seemed nobody in black and amber had an interest in picking him up. 

That opening surge ultimately gave them the platform for victory as Tuohy led 0-9 to 0-4 after the opening quarter. Conor Bowe was also effective as he contributed 0-4 in the opening half, with Deegan adding a further 0-3 before the break. 

Tuohy certainly was far from a two-man show with Tom Hamill, Pierce Meade, and the Guilfoyles all making telling contributions. Clonakenny eventually got their bearings and settled into the contest in the second quarter. 

Nicky Ryan was a constant threat at full forward, and his excellent ball-winning ability gave them a real attacking platform. Cian O’Dwyer, Nicky Ryan, and Bobby Bergin kept the umpires busy, and despite Tuohy’s early dominance, they only led by three at the short whistle, 0-16 to 1-10. 

That lead was wiped out within seconds of the restart thanks to a Delacy Byrne goal, and all of a sudden, Clonakenny looked game on. To Tuohy’s credit, they continued to play as a team and regained the initiative thanks to further points from Bowe and Deegan. 

It was a lively, enjoyable contest by now in front of a large crowd. All-Ireland success does wonders for attendances. The nip and tuck nature continued right to the end with Tuohy goalkeeper Paul Maher billowing the Clonakenny net from a penalty to keep their noses in front with ten to go. 

Bergin, Ryan, and O’Dwyer foraged away for Clonakenny to leave just two between them entering injury time. O’Dwyer’s last-gasp effort for a goal was thwarted as Moyne Templetuohy advanced to the semi-finals after a fine hour’s hurling. 

All-Ireland success also does wonders for a child, and it was wonderful to see Templemore awash with the next generation. The grounds were in splendid order, the hurling was lovely, the supporters were jovial, and the sun was shining. Lots more, please.

Moyne Templetouhy: Paul Maher (1-0); Shane Lowe, Ciaran Lloyd, Eoin Gorman; Pierce Meade, Conor Bowe (0-5), Danny Moore; Eanna Guilfoyle, Paudie Gleeson; Gearoid O’Connor (0-3, 0-1f), Sean Hayes, Cormac Deegan (0-9, 0-6f); Cathal Guilfoyle (0-1f), Thomas Hamill (0-3) Diarmuid Fogarty (0-1).

Subs used: Ben Ryan (0-1) for Fogarty (53); Finn Jones for Hamill (54).

Clonakenny: Willie Costigan; Proinsias Matthews, John Costigan, David Madden; Cain Russell, Diarmuid Ryan, Conor Nesbitt; John Joe Ryan, Michael John Carroll (0-2); Delacy Byrne (1-1), Sean Stapleton, Cian O’Dwyer (1-8, 0-5f); Bobby Bergin (0-4), Nicky Ryan (0-3), John O’Meara. 

Subs used: Alexei Harty for Madden (20); Paul Bergin for O’Meara (43); Peader Byrne for Stapleton (54).

Referee: Kevin Jordan (Thurles Gaels)

READ NEXT: Toomevara pushed to the pin of their collar by a strong Lorrha effort in Dolla