Clonakenny set out their stall for 2026 with Mid final trouncing of Holycross Ballycahill

Clonakenny defeated Holycross Ballycahill in the Mid Intermediate Hurling final on Saturday

Roadstone Mid Intermediate Hurling Championship Final

Clonakenny 6-19

Holycross Ballycahill 2-16

Clonakenny put six goals past Holycross Ballycahill to claim the Roadstone Mid Intermediate Hurling title in impressive style at sun-drenched Littleton on Saturday last.

With a strong contingent of former senior players in their side, many fancied last year's junior champions, Holycross Ballycahill, to lift the trophy, but in a high-scoring and very entertaining contest, they were outplayed by a rampant Clonakenny team, bouncing back from their demotion last year.

Clonakenny got down to business from the start and were 0-5 to 0-4 ahead when Nicky Ryan, Man of the Match, got their first goal just before the water break, quickly adding a point for a 1-6 to 0-5 lead at the stoppage.

They resumed on a high note, JJ Ryan receiving from Michael John Carroll to score their second goal. They were 2-8 to 0-5 ahead when Luke O'Mara raised a green flag for Holycross, but the Abbeysiders' joy was short-lived as Bobby Bergin bagged a third goal for Clonakenny after 23 minutes, and to crown a great first-half display, Michael John Carroll hit a fourth goal for them just before the break.

An interval lead of 4-9 to 1-7 put Clonakenny in a commanding position. The title was theirs to lose. Holycross Ballycahill's concern reflected itself in two half-time substitutions, and they needed to quickly get scores on the board, particularly a few goals, if they were to rein in their opponents.

Clonakenny were not relenting and shared six points with them before Eoghan Hickey netted for Holycross after 40 minutes to raise their hopes, 2-10 to 4-13.

Still a lot of ground to make up facing into the last quarter, but Clonakenny really put the game to bed with Sean Stapleton's goal shortly after resuming. Michael John Carroll reduced the closing minutes to a formality when he hit Clonakenny's sixth goal after 52 minutes.

It was a hugely impressive display by Clonakenny, who, on this form, could be making a quick return to Premier Intermediate ranks. While supporters delighted in the scoring return of their forwards, their defence excelled in the manner in which it closed down a highly rated Holycross attack.

As ever, Diarmuid Ryan led by example, but team captain Cain Russell and Delacy Byrne also had big games. John Joe Ryan was on his game at midfield, while in attack Nicky Ryan gave a Man of the Match performance, with Bobby Bergin and Michael John Carroll not far behind. Substitute John Costigan made a big impact when introduced.

Holycross Ballycahill will feel they did not do themselves justice and will look to their opening game in the county championship against Cappawhite to make amends. The manner in which their defence shipped six goals will be a big concern; goalkeeper Thomas Comerford was blameless for all six.

Conor Ryan and Shane Ryan did most to stem the Clonakenny tide. Luke O'Mara was their best forward, with Eoghan Hickey doing well when introduced. Jamie Lee Dwan and Paraic Russell also did well, but overall it was a performance Holycross Ballycahill will want to put behind them quickly.

Scorers: Clonakenny: Nicky Ryan 1-5, MJ Carroll 2-1, Cian O'Dwyer (0-7, 0-6f), Bobby Bergin 1-3, JJ Ryan 1-2, Sean Stapleton 1-0, Diarmuid Ryan 0-1.

Holycross Ballycahill: Eoghan Hickey 1-2, Sean Ryan (0-5, 0-4f), Luke O'Mara 1-1, Tony Leahy 0-2, Jamie Woods, Shane Ryan, Paraic Russell, Tony Maher, Stephen Quinlan, James Doyle all 0-1 each.

Clonakenny: Willie Costigan; Joe Stapleton, Cain Russell, Alexei Harty; Conor Nesbitt, Diarmuid Ryan, Delacy Byrne; John O'Meara, John Joe Ryan; Peadar Byrne, Bobby Bergin, Cian O'Dwyer; Nicky Ryan, Sean Stapleton, Michael John Carroll.

Subs used: John Costigan for Nesbitt (39); Matthew O'Sullivan for P Byrne (45).

Holycross Ballycahill: Thomas Comerford; Cian Ryan, Conor Ryan (H), Jack Lahart; Daire Ryan, Eoin Morris, Shane Ryan; Paraic Russell, Jamie Woods; Stevie Flanagan, Tony Maher, Sean Ryan; Luke O'Mara, Tony Leahy, Jamie Lee Dwan.

Subs used: Eoghan Hickey for Flanagan (HT); James Doyle for D Ryan (HT); Stephen Quinlan for Sean Ryan (51); Jimmy Ryan (H) for Lahart (51); Tadhg Ryan for Leahy (53).

Referee: John Lillis (Drom & Inch)