Third time lucky for Tipperary Junior A hurling champions Clonoulty/Rossmore

Clonoulty/Rossmore 3-18   Ballinahinch 2-11

Clonoulty/Rossmore are the FBD Insurance County Junior A Hurling champions for the first time following their comprehensive ten- point victory over north champions Ballinahinch at a sunny but cool Kilcommon on Saturday afternoon.

This was a case of third time lucky for the west champions, as they had tasted defeat in the final on two previous occasions, in 1936 and 2015. On this occasion, they dictated the play for the vast majority of the game and were only led on one occasion, briefly around the 38th minute.

They were dominant in most sectors but particularly around the middle third, where midfielder Nathan Slattery put in a big shift. Donnchada Quirke was a tower of strength at the centre of their defence where he was flanked by James Heffernan and Paddy Ryan. Paudie White struck his frees with confidence and assurance and was only off target on one occasion, early in the second half.

Their forwards, as a unit, were sharp throughout with Thomas Butler on the edge of the square always likely to cause trouble. Fiachra O’Keeffe struggled with the injury that caused him to miss the semi-final and was replaced at the three-quarter mark.
Padraig Heffernan led the attack and put in a power of work, with his tracking back to help out his defence one of his features. His power caused problems to the Ballinahinch defence.

Ballinahinch fell into five-point arrears early on and when they managed to get back into any sort of rhythm, Clonoulty had the ability to drive on. They were level on one occasion, late in the opening half, following a goal from Evan Kearns, but the west men finished the half the stronger to lead at the break, 1-10 to 2-5.

Davy Gleeson got in for an early goal and was their main threat, while they were over reliant on Brendan Ryan from placed balls. They did hit the front in the 38th minute following three unanswered points from placed balls by Brendan Ryan, but this was short-lived as Kieran Carroll equalised inside a minute.

The loss, through injury, of Shane McGrath for the closing quarter was a big blow, but coming down the home straight they were completely outgunned by a fitter and sharper Clonoulty team that grew in stature and outscored them by 2-5 to 0-2, with their substitutes’ contribution a telling factor.

Clonoulty got right into the game from the start and points from Thomas Butler and Paddy Ryan set the trend for the remainder of the game. Davy Gleeson cut the deficit to the minimum four minutes in, but the west champions hit them with a double whammy around the eighth minute. First Paudie White hit his opening free and this was followed up with a wonderful strike from Nathan Slattery for the game’s opening goal, following a pinpoint pass from Thomas Butler.

Four minutes later Davy Gleeson goaled at the other end. Paudie White, from a free, and Sean Ryan (Raymond) hit back with two points for Clonoulty before Brendan Ryan and Paddy Kelly cancelled them out with two good scores in quick succession.

Padraig Heffernan and Paudie White, from a 45, eased Clonoulty into a four-point lead but Ballinahinch replied, first through a Ger Grace point and then drew level from an Evan Kearns goal.

Again Paudie White replied from two placed balls to put Clonoulty back in front and points from Davy Gleeson and Thomas Butler left the score at the break Clonoulty Rossmore 1-10, Ballinahinch 2-5.

Davy Gleeson hit the opening point of the second half. Aidan White replied with a similar score from the puckout before Ballinahinch had a goal opportunity, which came to nothing.

Then, in what was their best spell of the second half, Brendan Ryan hit three frees between the third and eight minutes for Ballinahinch to go one up. However, this lead was short-lived, as Kieran Carroll levelled proceedings and Paudie White regained the lead from a sideline cut, a lead that they would retain to the end.

Shane McGrath was forced to leave the field of play through injury on the three- quarter mark, following an accidental clash and a hard fall to the ground. In the closing ten minutes the Clonoulty substitutions played a big part in the destination of the DP Walsh Cup. Paudie White converted two frees in a two-minute spell, which were cancelled out by Brendan Ryan.

As the game headed towards injury time, Thomas Butler hit his third point of the day, Oisin Fryday made it a four-point advantage before Paudie White goaled following super work by Odhran Quirke.

Deep into injury time, Ballinahinch had one final chance but Brendan Ryan’s goal attempt from a twenty metre free was saved by David Egan and cleared to safety. Kieran Carroll had the last say when he hit goal number three for Clonoulty to cap a memorable occasion for the parishes and communities of Clonoulty and Rossmore.

Clonoulty/Rossmore: David Egan, Niall Shanahan, Padraig Carew, Aidan Loughman, James Heffernan, Donnchada Quirke, Paddy Ryan (captain 0-1), Nathan Slattery (1-0), Sean Ryan (Raymond 0-1), Paudie White (1-9, 8 frees, 0-1 sideline), Padraig Heffernan (0-1), Aidan White (0-1), Fiachra O’Keeffe, Thomas Butler (0-3), Nicky Kearns.

Subs: Kieran Carroll (1-1) for Nicky Kearns (34), Odhran Quirke for Fiachra O’Keeffe (44), Oisin Fryday (0-1) for Padraig Heffernan (59), Paddy Kennedy for Nathan Slattery (60).

Ballinahinch: Darragh McGrath, Adam Ryan, Kevin Fitzpatrick, Cathal Ryan (P), Karl Kelly (captain), Joey Kelly, Shane McGrath, Brian Keane, James Lynch, Ger Grace (0-1), Davy Gleeson (1-3), Paddy Kelly (0-1), John Foley, Brendan Ryan (0-6 frees), Evan Kearns (1-0).

Subs: Niall Harrington for Shane McGrath (45), Alan Kelly for John Foley (50), Dave Ryan for Evan Kearns (54).

Referee: John Dooley (Thurles Gaels).