O'Connor class secures safety for Moyne Templetuohy in narrow win over Clonakenny

FBD Insurance Premier Intermediate Hurling Relegation semi-final

Moyne Templetuohy 1-17

Clonakenny 1-15

By Michael Dundon

Moyne Templetuohy retained their FBD Insurance Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship status thanks to a narrow win over Mid neighbours Clonakenny in a lively relegation county semi-final at Templemore on Sunday, where the winners hung on in the face of a determined last quarter rally by Clonakenny.

Survival was the name of the game for both, and they needed no other incentive to push them into their best performances of the year. 

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The big difference between the sides was county man Gearoid O’Connor, who bagged 1-12 of the Moyne Templetuohy tally, 1-4 from play, but his county senior team mate Conor Bowe also had a huge influence on the game and in ensuring that a disappointing campaign ended on a bright note for them.

With the breeze to aid them in the first half, Moyne needed a good return for their possession, but at half-time they led by a mere 0-12 to 1-7 and looked to be in trouble. Gearoid O’Connor was “on song” from frees and play in the period, but Clonakenny were battling hard, and Bobby Bergin’s goal for them after 17 minutes actually put them ahead 1-6 to 0-6 after a tight opening quarter.

Clonakenny got no “kick” from the goal. Instead, Moyne Templetuohy upped their game, outpointing their rivals 6 to 1 up to half-time. No one was making any predictions at that stage but the ball definitely seemed to be in Clonakenny’s court.

The critical period of the game was the opening 10 minutes of the second half. Cian O’Dwyer pointed for Clonakenny inside a minute, but then Moyne Templetuohy hit 1-4 without reply, Gearoid O’Connor getting the goal after 36 minutes, to go 1-16 to 1-9 clear and on the road to safety.

The Clonakenny challenge was not helped by erratic shooting, and they had goalie Willie Costigan to thank for preventing a likely Diarmuid Fogarty goal after 50 minutes. Clonakenny needed a goal, but a flick from Sean Stapleton in the 50th minute went by the wrong side of the post as the tension mounted with Clonakenny now working hard to reel in their opponents.

The last quarter belonged to Clonakenny, Cian O’Dwyer pointed frees (4), supplemented by those from Michael John Carroll and Bobby Bergin, edging them closer by the minute, but time ran out on them, leaving them with one last throw of the dice in the relegation final to avoid dropping back to intermediate grade.

Relief was probably the uppermost emotion in the Moyne Templetuohy camp at the conclusion. Theirs has been a topsy-turvy season, but when the chips were down, they did the business. 

The leadership of county men Gearoid O’Connor and Conor Bowe was a major factor in ensuring their survival, but the displays of Ciaran Lloyd, the Meades, Eanna Guilfoyle, and Sean Hayes also contributed big time to their survival.

Clonakenny have one more chance to secure their premier intermediate status when they face Burgess in the relegation final. It’s a big game for the club, but this display, particularly in the first half and last quarter, will encourage them. 

Diarmuid Ryan was outstanding at the heart of their defence with Delacy Byrne, John Costigan, Michael John Carroll, Bobby Bergin, and John Joe Ryan also working very hard. Cian O’Dwyer contributed well from frees.

Moyne Templetuohy: Liam Butler; Shane Lowe, Ciaran Lloyd, Eoin Gorman; Pierce Meade, Conor Bowe, Danny Moore; Eanna Guilfoyle (0-1), Ben Moore (0-1); Gearoid O’Connor (1-12, 0-7f), Tom Meade (0-2), Cormac Deegan; Cathal Guilfoyle, Sean Hayes, Ben Ryan (0-1).

Subs used: Diarmuid Fogarty for Deegan (HT); Tossy Hammil for B Ryan (45); Finn Jones for Gorman (52).

Clonakenny: Willie Costigan; Brian Mullally, John Costigan, Alexei Harty; Cian Russell, Diarmuid Ryan, Delacy Byrne; Conor Nesbitt, Michael John Carroll (0-2); John Joe Ryan (0-2), Peadar Byrne, Cian O’Dwyer (0-9, 0-8f); Bobby Bergin (1-1), Nicky Ryan (0-1), Paul Bergin.

Subs used: Sean Stapleton for P Bergin (40).

Referee: John Dooley (Thurles Gaels)

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