Devon Ryan brace sends Cashel King Cormacs to Division 2 success

FBD Insurance County Hurling League - Division 2 Final

Cashel King Cormacs 2-15

Clonakenny 0-15

By Michael Dundon

Five points down at half-time, Cashel King Cormacs upped the tempo of their game after the break to forge a six-point winning margin over Clonakenny in the FBD Insurance County Hurling League Division 2 at Littleton on Saturday evening.

These sides will meet again in the Premier Intermediate Championship in a few weeks. And what a championship is in prospect with Upperchurch Drombane and Killenaule also in the mix. 

This contest may not have had the quality expected but it was an entertaining affair with  Cashel stamping their authority on proceedings after a below-par opening half.

Cashel have a lot of quality players on their side, lads with intercounty experience at various levels, and when they have their full complement on the field they will be formidable opposition for any team. Initially, they were slow to settle against Clonakenny, who, with the aid of the breeze established a 0-9 to 0-4 lead by the halfway stage. 

Joint captain John Joe Ryan pointed four frees for the Mid lads who might have had a goal approaching the break but Nicky Ryan was fouled, resulting in a pointed free.

Clonakenny were using Bobby Bergin in a roving role and he got on a lot of ball for them with Diarmuid Ryan and Willie Ryan also leading by example. 

Cashel were struggling to get their game plan operating. Eoin Connolly was doing well at midfield, but the attack, except for David McGrath, was not firing. Conor O’Dwyer’s strong play at the heart of the Cashel defence was notable also.

Although John Joe Ryan had the first point of the second half for Clonakenny, it was Cashel who took control. They reeled off five points without reply before Ger Browne set up Devon Ryan for the first goal after 10 minutes and a 1-9 to 0-10 lead. 

Clonakenny rose to the challenge and they had the next three points from Bobby Bergin and John Joe Ryan(2) to regain the lead (0-13 to 1-9) at the end of the third quarter.

The killer blow for Clonakenny came after 47 minutes when Eoin Connolly set Devon Ryan up for this second goal followed quickly by a Ronan Connolly point. Those scores knocked the stuffing out of the Clonakenny challenge and Cashel went on to outscore their rivals 4/2 in the closing ten minutes.

First silverware of the year for  Cashel who also have a Crosco Cup final coming up as their year gains momentum. They have the players to compete at the highest level and this win should boost their belief in themselves. 

Eoin Connolly’s leadership was obvious in this encounter with Conor O’Dwyer,  Devon Ryan, James Cummins, Paddy Fahey, and Ross Bonnar others to further their cause.

Clonakenny battled bravely all the way. They are a big, strong side, who give everything but need to offer more as an attacking force. 

MJ Carroll, Willie Ryan, and Diarmuid Ryan worked very hard in defence with Bobby Bergin and Cian O’Dwyer doing their best further upfield. They will benefit from this experience and will be a force to be reckoned with in the championship.

Cashel King Cormacs: Johnny Walshe; Conor Bonnar, Nathan Ryan,  Ciaran O’Dwyer; James Cummins (0-1), Conor O’Dwyer, Fabian Ryan; Eoin Connolly (0-2), Paddy Fahey; Ross Bonnar (0-3), Devon Ryan (2-4, 0-2f), Dan Moloney; Davy McGrath (0-2), Ronan Connolly (0-1), Ger Browne (0-1).

Subs used: Oisin O’Donoghue (0-1) for Moloney (35); Adrian Cummins for Ryan (42); Aaron Moloney for E Connolly (61).

Clonakenny: Willie Costigan; John Costigan, Diarmuid Ryan (0-1), Alexei Harty; MJ Carroll (0-2), Willie Ryan, Proinsias Matthews; John Joe Ryan (0-8, 0-5f), Cian Russell; Peader Byrne, Cian O’Dwyer (0-2), Conor Shanahan; Delacy Byrne, Nicky Ryan, Bobby Bergin (0-2).

Subs used: Matthew O’Sullivan for Shanahan (40); Brian Mullally for Matthews (54); Gearoid Byrne for Byrne (58); Sean Maher for O’Sullivan (61).

Referee: Niall Carrigan (Ballybacon Grange)