Francis Coughlan at Golden
Clonoulty/Rossmore completed back-to-back O’Dwyer Steel West U21A Hurling titles for the first time since 2019 when overcoming the challenge of Eire Og/Sean Treacys in Golden on Sunday afternoon.
Played in front of a sizable crowd with rain for the most both teams served up a tough physical contest that was probably in doubt until Seamus Kennedy’s goal ten minutes from time gave Clonoulty/Rossmore daylight and they saw it out from there.
Eire Og/Sean Treacys were playing in a first final as a combination with Eire Og last having last tasted success in the competition in 2001 defeating Clonoulty/Rossmore in the final.
Sean Treacys most recent success in the competition had come back in 2016 when joined with Cappawhite they defeated Golden/Kilfeacle to complete two in a row.
Clonoulty/Rossmore went into the game looking for their 23rd title in their own right while also having been the most consistent team in the grade in recent year’s winning twelve titles between 2005 and 2023.
Clonoulty/Rossmore played into the Mantel Hill end of the ground in the opening half against a strong breeze with Robert Doyle scoring after about forty seconds.
The opening quarter was certainly helter skelter as both teams try to make their mark on the contest and would see four goals shared. Almost immediately the combination retaliated when a Darragh Kelly sideline cut in around the Clonoulty goal wasn’t dealt with and James Butler raised the games opening green flag.
Stephen Ferncombe who played in a very deep role at times had gone into the game just a point behind Golden/Kilfeacle’s Jack Leamy (4-22) with 2-27 to his name as the competitions top scorer and it didn’t take long for the Clonoulty/Rossmore sharpshooter to open his account.
Robert Doyle then got in for his second point which was certainly a goal chance. By the fifth minute Clonoulty/Rossmore had completely wiped out the concession of the goal when an advantage saw Frank O’Dwyer and Alex Carroll set up Robert Doyle for the games second goal.
The game looked to be heading in only one direction five minutes later when Robert Doyle was brought down and Stephen Ferncombe blasted home the resulting penalty. Matters changed though with the combination coming far more into the game.
A Darragh Kelly free reduced the deficit and the same player raised the games fourth green flag in the thirteen minute when he converted a penalty after James Butler was fouled.
By the twentieth minute the sides were level 2-3 each with Adam O’Dwyer on target. The consistency of scores dried up to a degree after this with both sides cancelling each other out and a lot of the game being played around the middle.
The sides traded points and it looked as if a Darragh Kelly free would give the combination a slight advantage at the break however a great run by Paddy Kennedy who almost lost possession twice would see him finish the scoring with a well taken point. 2-6 each at the break as the sides went to the dressing rooms.
Clonoulty/Rossmore got two scores in the opening three minutes after the resumption and these would be the difference for the most after this. Paddy Kennedy and Stephen Ferncombe both adding to their tallies.
Despite James Butler pulling one back Ferncombe and Doyle who put in huge performances increased the defending champions advantage with ten gone.
Jason O’Dwyer was called into action to deny Cillian Kennedy at his near post three minutes later to keep his side in front. Kelly and Ferncombe traded pointed frees to leave just two between the sides heading into the final ten minutes.
However, the game turned on a crucial moment in the twenty first minute when Alex Carroll got the better of his marker at the stand side before playing a ball straight across to Seamus Kennedy who duly obliged with a green flag.
Ferncombe stretched that out to six from another placed ball and while the combination battled hard and did see an effort go a across the face of the Clonoulty goal the defending champions just had that bit more to see it out.
Clonoulty/Rossmore battled hard throughout but that ability to score that easier from play stood to them at the full-time whistle outscoring their opponents 2-9 to 1-4 from play.
They were strong in all lines led by Robert Doyle and Stephen Ferncombe. Paddy Kennedy and Cormac Quirke put in solid shifts and the latter was really in the mix in the last fifteen winning numerous turnovers. Jamie Davern and Danny Slattery were the pick of the defence.
Eire Og/Sean Treacys were best served by James Butler, Darragh Kelly, Colm Kennedy and Darragh Carr.
Following the game West Board Chairman Tommy Hayes presented the Tony Brennan Cup to winning captain Stephen Ferncombe with Adrian Crosse representing the sponsors O’Dwyer Steel.
Scorers & Teams:
Clonoulty/Rossmore: Stephen Ferncombe (1-8, 0-5f, 1-0p)), Robert Doyle (1-3), Seamus Kennedy (1-0), Paddy Kennedy (1-0), Jamie Davern (0-1)
Eire Og/Sean Treacys: Darragh Kelly (1-7, 0-7f, 1-0p)), James Butler (1-2), Eoin Sheldon (0-1), Adam O’Dwyer (0-1), Colm Kennedy (0-1f)
Clonoulty Rossmore: Jason O’Dwyer, Richard Ferncombe, Keelan Ryan, Shane Davern, Jack Kennedy, Danny Slattery, Jamie Davern, Cormac Quirke, Paddy Kennedy, Finbarr Ryan, Stephen Ferncombe, Frank O’Dwyer, Seamus Kennedy, Robert Doyle, Alex Carroll
Subs Used: Kaelem Maher, Danny O’Keeffe
Eire Óg/Treacys: Michael Ryan(EOA), Philip Treacy(ST), Darragh O'Brien(EOA), Brian Nolan (ST), Eoin Sheldon(ST), Colm Kennedy(ST), Tom O'Dwyer(ST), Max Carroll(ST), Adam O'Dwyer(EOA), Darragh Carr(ST), Darragh Kelly(EOA), Cillian Kennedy (ST), Larry Collins (ST), James Butler (ST), Michael Furlong(EOA)
Subs Used: Liam Crosse, Scott Ryan
Referee: Fergal Horgan (Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams)
