Kilkenny SHL- Buggy bags late and much needed victory for gallant Castlecomer

Clara’s penchant for being involved in tight games continued in Muckalee on Saturday when they were involved in another nail biting conclusion, this time with Erin’s Own (Castlecomer) in this senior hurling championship encounter.

Having won their opening game by a point, they lost out to a late Tullaroan resurgence by two points in their second game.

The early indications here were that they were going to have no such trouble in this one and they led 1-4 to 0-0 after just four and a half minutes.

Conor Hoyne hit the net just 24 seconds in and by the time Conor converted his first free Paul Cody, Joe Power and Rory Glynn had all found the mark from play.

Even when Jack Buggy opened the Erin’s Own account with a free after eight minutes, Clara were next to score again through Paul Cody.

Then a mix-up in the Clara defence when two defenders went for the one ball and both missed allowed Jack Buggy to ghost in behind and finish to the net.

Buoyed by this score the ‘Comer men hit the next two points from Eoghan Moore and Shane Feehan and the deficit was down to two.

Clara got on top again and hit four in a row to again ease in front and by the time referee Vivienne Holmes blew the short whistle they still held a five point advantage 1-12 to 1-07.

But now they turned to face a mild breeze.

Erin’s Own signalled their intent by notching six of the first seven points of the second half.

Jack Buggy maintained his unerring accuracy from frees and Conor McMahon also landed one from distance.

Captain John Dowd and substitute Michael Brennan scored during this spell and Joe Power landed the only Clara score of this period.

As the physical exchanges heated up Clara again made a break for home with three points in a row but Castlecomer marksman Jack Buggy responded with two.

Liam Ryan gave Clara back a two point lead with just seven minutes remaining but an energised Erin’s Own side reeled them in again with two Jack Buggy placed balls.

Clara substitute James Bergin then gave Clara the lead before John Dowd thought he had won it for ‘Comer with a goal.

However the referee had blown the whistle and it was called back for the equalising free.

Amid high drama Clara missed a chance to win it.

From the resultant puck out the Erin’s Own men won possession and the ball was slipped to Jack Buggy, who hit an unlikely shot over his shoulder straight between the posts.

The final whistle was blown shortly afterwards. An epic finish to a really well contested affair.

As well as those already mentioned Ciarán Wallace and Conor Delaney were strong in defence for the winners while Eoghan Moore worked hard around the middle. For Clara Kevin Nolan, Jack Langton, Dara Glynn, Shane Staunton, Matt Kenny and Martin O Connell tried hard to secure the points for their side but it was to no avail.

The big difference here was the accuracy shown by the Castlecomer men, who shot just five wides in the game, only one in the second half. Clara had six in that period.

Teams and scorers

Erin’s Own: Jack Buggy (1-13, 0-8f, 0-2 65); Conor Delaney, Conor McMahon (free), John Dowd, Eoghan Moore, Shane Feehan, Michael Brennan (0-1 each).

Clara: Conor Hoyne (1-5, 0-4f); Paul Cody (0-3), Joe Power (0-3 each); Rory Glynn (0-2); Martin O’Connell, Chris Bolger, Liam Ryan, James Bergin (0-1 each).

Erin’s Own: Sean Buggy; Aidan Moran, Ciarán Wallace, Jack Comerford; Conor Delaney, Conor McMahon, Bobby Brennan; John Dowd, Eoghan Moore; Chris Korff, Shane Feehan, Eoin Brennan; Jack Buggy, Dan Coogan, James Coogan.

Subs: Tommy Coogan, Shane Coogan, Michael Brennan, James Brennan.

Clara: Kevin Nolan; Conor O’Shea, Matt Kenny, Harry Boyle; Martin O’Connell, Jack Langton, David Langton; Dara Glynn, Shane Staunton; Conor Hoyne, Paul Cody, David Barcoe; Rory Glynn, Chris Bolger, Joe Power.

Subs: Liam Ryan, James Bergin.

Referee: Vivienne Holmes (Bennettsbridge)