Record-breakers Clonoulty/Rossmore make it eight in a row in west Tipperary

Clonoulty/Rossmore 3-23 Cashel King Cormacs 1-9

Three goals in the first nine minutes set Clonoulty/Rossmore on their way to a record eighth Tipperary Co-Op West Senior Hurling Championship title in a row and their 24th in total.

On a wet and windy Saturday evening in Golden, the Clonoulty/Rossmore forwards went for the jugular early and just like their semi-final win eight days previously, those goals sucked the life out of Cashel King Cormacs.

The opening exchanges suggested that this could be a close encounter. James Cummins split the posts for Cashel in the second minute for the opening score of the game.

The game’s first goal was quick to arrive and after Danny Slattery was shouldered when bearing down on goal, full forward Robert Doyle pulled on the loose ball on the ground past Aaron Browne into the net at the dressing room end.

Cashel continued to look lively, with Ross Bonnar and Paddy Fahy both pointing. Fahy was having a good battle with Enda Heffernan.

By the sixth minute Cathal Bourke had stretched the Clonoulty/Rossmore lead back out to two points with a pointed free. Then Jack Ryan forced his way through on goal, only for Aaron Browne to deny him. The resultant 65 by Cathal Bourke dropped short and was flicked to the net by Aaron Ryan.

A minute later Slattery collected possession about thirty yards out on the stand side, running at goal and and he gave Aaron Browne no chance with his shot.

This goal really sucked the life out of the game. Cashel were now forced into a reshuffle, with Eoghan Connolly going to centre back while Daniel Moloney now acted as sweeper.

James Ryan C was sweeper at the opposite end but was soon deployed on Devon Ryan, with Tommy Ryan moving further up the field.

The hard-working Robert Doyle added another point while Cathal Bourke continued his accuracy from placed balls. As the half went on, Tommy Ryan pushed up and added two points of his own. By half-time Clonoulty/Rossmore led by sixteen points, 3-12 to 0-5.

Cashel had a mountain to climb in the second half. Conn Bonnar pointed but Clonoulty/Rossmore had that ability to always respond. Cathal Bourke added two more pointed frees while Aaron Browne did well to deny the industrious Robert Doyle. Doyle did add two more points to Clonoulty/Rossmore’s tally and by the three quarter mark they led 3-17 to 0-6.

Cashel were getting ball into their forwards but a defence with a spine of John O’Keeffe and Enda Heffernan was in fine form.
Eoghan Connolly got Cashel’s second score of the half in the 17th minute but yet again the defending champions responded with further points from Cathal Bourke.

Paddy Fahy did get in on goal but was denied by a fine double save from Martin Sadlier.

Clonoulty/Rossmore continued to dictate, with Danny Slattery adding to his tally while Jack Ryan also got on the board. Cashel had a late goal when Ronan Connolly found himself unmarked and in space and after travelling towards goal saw his shot beat Sadlier, but it was mere consolation.

Afterwards, Tom Hayes, West Board Chairman presented the newly coated O’Dwyer Cup to Ronan Heffernan, Clonoulty/Rossmore captain, with Willie Ryan and Tom Moher, representing the sponsors Tipperary Co-Op, also present.

In his acceptance speech, Ronan remembered the late Dillon Quirke, who had twelve months previously had captained Clonoulty to West Senior honours.

“Dillon was smiling down on us today,” he said.

It was another good outing for Clonoulty/Rossmore, who once again squeezed the life out of their opponents early with goals.
They hit 3-14 from play, while Cathal Bourke was unerring from placed balls. Their efficiency was another talking point, with just four wides.

Robert Doyle worked hard in the semi-final but failed to score. He continued that good workrate and on this occasion added 1-5 from play, while corner forward Danny Slattery scored 1-2 from play.

Aaron Ryan was a vital cog in the wheel, putting in a very strong shift. Jack Ryan was always willing to run at the Cashel defence, which caused them major headaches.

Their midfield partnership of Ronan Heffernan and Michael Ryan (W) was well on top, as was their half back line and full back line led by John O’Keeffe and Enda Heffernan.

Despite starting well, Cashel struggled with the concession of goals and were forced to deploy a sweeper, which then limited their attacking options. They managed just 1-6 from play and struggled to get past a well-structured Clonoulty/Rossmore defence.

Nathan Ryan tried hard at full back while Eoghan Connolly was a tireless worker to try and get his team into the game. James Cummins also gave his all while Paddy Fahy battled away at full forward.

Scorers: Clonoulty/Rossmore: Cathal Bourke, (0-11, 8 frees), Robert Doyle (1-5), Danny Slattery (1-2), Aaron Ryan (1-0), Tommy Ryan (0-2), Stephen Quinn (0-1), Jack Ryan (0-1), Ronan Heffernan (0-1).

Cashel King Cormacs: Ronan Connolly (1-0), Ross Bonnar (0-1), Eoghan Connolly (0-2 frees), James Cummins (0-1), Paddy Fahy (0-1), Devon Ryan (0-1 free), Conn Bonnar (0-1), Daniel Moloney (0-1).

Clonoulty/Rossmore: Martin Sadlier, Tommy Ryan, Enda Heffernan, James Ryan C, Ciaran Quirke, John O’Keeffe, Sean O’Connor, Ronan Heffernan, Michael Ryan W, Aaron Ryan, Cathal Bourke, Jack Ryan, Stephen Ferncombe, Robert Doyle, Danny Slattery.

Subs used: Jimmy Maher, Thomas Quinn.

Cashel King Cormacs: Aaron Browne, Paraic Brosnan, Nathan Ryan, Ciaran Quinn, Cathal Quinn, Conn Bonnar, Dan Moloney, Eoghan Connolly, Kieran O’Dwyer, James Cummins, Ross Bonnar, Ger Browne, Devon Ryan, Paddy Fahy, Ronan Connolly.

Subs used: Simon Delaney, Andrew Irwin, Anthony Walsh.

Referee: John McCormack (Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams).