Kilkenny SHL: Clara secure win over spirited Erin's Own

Clara secured their second successive win of the senior hurling league on Saturday, building on their victory over Shamrocks Ballyhale to guarantee their status status at the top tier for another year.

Meanwhile, Erin’s Own’s gritty performance was the highlight of a dismissal season so far and perhaps will offer their supporters a glimmer of hope ahead of a relegation semi-final in two weeks time.

The first half belonged to the ‘Comer men and despite an early Dara Glynn goal inside 60 seconds, Erin’s Own hit back with a barrage of points courtesy of Jack Buggy, Michael Murphy and Shane Feehan to lead 0-6 to 1-1 inside 10 minutes.

Clara struggled to get to the speed of the match in the early stages and combined with some wayward shooting were playing second fiddle to Erin's Own.

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Their first point of the game arrived midway through the first half from Chris Bolger and slowly but surely Clara began to get their bearings.

The teams traded scores for the remainder of the half with Jack Buggy and Shane Feehan scores responded to by Ciaran Hoyne and substitute Jack Langton to leave the scoreline at 0-9 to 1-5 in favour of Erin’s Own.

Clara started the second half brightly and may have considered themselves fortunate not to be further behind.

Martin O’Connell opened his account inside 60 seconds before Chris Bolger and Jack Buggy traded scores to draw the teams level for the first time.

However, the sniff of relegation continued to drive Erins Own and as they reacted to every punch on the nose.

On the 40th minute, a Conor Delaney free droped dangerously into the clutches of Michael Murphy who found Shane Coogan to net and restore the Erin’s Own lead at 1-10 to 1-7.

Crucially, the Castlecomer outfit failed to use the goal as a building block, converting just 1-2 for the remainder of the game.
A brace from Conor O’Shea and Matt Kenny along with a point from Rory Glynn opened up a 1-13 to 1-10 advantage for Clara with 10 minutes remaining.

Paul Cody and two points from Lester Ryan continued their purple patch with a Jack Buggy free ‘Comer’s only retaliation at 1-18 to 1-12.

A close range free rocketed to the net by Conor McMahon provided late hope for Erin’s Own but Conor O’Shea put any late Clara concerns to bed with two well-taken frees to see out the victory.

TEAMS & SCORERS:

Clara - Kevin Nolan; Harry Boyle, Conor Hoyne, Sean O’Shea; Martin O’Connell, Shane Staunton, Matt Kenny; Dara Glynn, David Langton; Paul Cody, Conor O’Shea, Liam Ryan; Joe Connolly, Chris Bolger, James Bergin.

Erin’s Own - Sean Buggy; John Down, Conor Delaney, Chris Korff; James Brennan, Cathal Holland, Eoghan Moore; Conor Fogarty, Shane Feehan; Aidan Moran, Declan Dunne, Michael Brennan; Shane Coogan, Michael Murphy, Jack Buggy.

Clara - Conor O’Shea (0-6 / 0-1 f); Dara Glynn (1-0); Chris Bolger (0-3 / 0-1 f); Matt Kenny (0-3); Ciaran Hoyne, Lester Ryan (0-2 each); Jack Langton, Martin O’Connell, Rory Glynn, Paul Cody (0-1 each).
Subs - Jack Langton for James Bergin, Rory Glynn for Joe Connolly.

Erin’s Own - Jack Buggy (0-6 / 0-4 f); Shane Coogan (1-1); Conor McMahon (1-0); Shane Feehan (0-3); Michael Murphy, James Brennan (0-1 each).

Referee - Sean Cleere (O’Loughlin Gaels)