Second goal key for Clonoulty Rossmore to get vital U21 win over Golden Kilfeacle

O’Dwyer Steel West U21A Hurling Championship Group 1

Golden/Kilfeacle 1.9(12)

John O’Shea at Dillon Quirke GAA Grounds Clonoulty

Clonoulty/Rossmore staged a late smash and grab over Golden/Kilfeacle in the O’Dwyer Steel West Under 21A Hurling Championship played at Dillon Quirke Grounds Clonoulty on Friday night.

Played before a big crowd on a foggy night, this game never reached the expected heights as it more or less developed into a shoot-out between Stephen Ferncombe and Jack Leamy, with the former just shading the exchanges.

The visitors got the perfect start when a ninety-meter free from Jack Leamy deceived Jason O’Dwyer in the Clonoulty goal and dropped over the line.

The home side were back on level terms by the tenth minute, 1.1 to 0.4, but Golden pushed on and had gone into a three-point advantage coming up to the break.

However, a late surge from Clonoulty cut the deficit to the minimum, 1.5 to 0.7, as David Grogan sounded the half time whistle.

After the restart, Clonoulty hit two points in the opening five minutes, the first from a Stephen Ferncombe free to tie the game for the second time and one from play from Kaelem Maher to ease then ahead.

Two Jack Leamy points had restored the visitors lead by the three-quarter stage with scores at a premium.

Most of the drama was packed into the final three minutes with Golden hanging onto a two-point advantage. However, a long range free from Robert Doyle was finished to the net by Stephen Ferncombe to ease the home side in front with three minutes of normal time remaining.

Ben Currivan brought the sides level for the fourth time from a placed ball and when it looked like a share of the spoils, Seamus Kennedy crashed home the winner at the death.

Clonoulty Rossmore: Jason O’Dwyer, Richard Ferncombe, Keelan Ryan, Mike Ryan (Lanty0, Jack Kennedy, Danny Slattery, Jamie Davern, Cormac Quirke, Paddy Kennedy, Kaelem Maher (0.1), Stephen Ferncombe (Captain, 1.7, 7 frees), Frank O’Dwyer, Seamus Kennedy (1.0), Robert Doyle, Alex Carroll (0.1)

Subs used: Finbarr Ryan for Frank O’Dwyer (41), Jack Heffernan for Mike Ryan (Lanty) (60)

Golden/Kilfeacle; Lee Hayes, Michael Coman, Cian Ryan, Jack Dalton, Jack Lonergan, Padraig Dalton, Gavin Dalton, Ciaran Byrnes, Aaron Colohan, Aidan Tuohy, Jack Leamy (Captain, 1.6, 1.4 frees), Jack Bergin, Sam Hall, Ben Currivan (0.3, 2 frees), Eanna Ormond

Subs used; Ben Thompson for Aidan Tuohy

Referee: David Grogan (Aherlow)