Clonfert College’s bid for All Ireland final berth comes up short
The Clonfert College team that were defeated in their All Ireland Senior C hurling semi final.
Clonfert College’s quest for a first All Ireland final appearance in the school’s fledgling history was thwarted by a slick St. Joseph’s College outfit.
In the end, the Ballinasloe side’s inability to build a lead at half time when enjoying wind advantage and the seismic impact of St. Joseph’s substitute Cathal Kennedy proved decisive.
Kennedy struck over five points, all from play, after being introduced in the 32nd minute while he also won a crucial late free that Shane Ryan converted.
With Clonfert College enjoying the strength of a deceptively strong breeze, they knew a half time lead was imperative. However, they trailed 2-7 to 1-9 at the break as St. Joseph’s College Borrisoleigh were able to penetrate their opponent’s defence with greater regularity.
In fact, the Tipperary school enjoyed five goal chances in the opening half, converting two of those opportunities. Pádraig Pearses’ Donnacha Monaghan made three fine saves to keep his side firmly in the hunt during the opening period.
He was first called into action after three minutes to thwart Michael Ryan but Shane Ryan slotted a free moments after Liam Hackett had opened the scoring to give the Munster champions the early lead.
A Cillian McPhillips score settled Clonfert College as a pair of Louis Markham scores, a Ross Glynn free and a Cillian Ó Tuairisg effort helped them move 0-5 to 0-4 in front. The warning signs were there as Ó Tuairisg’s score came after Monaghan had denied Hackett seconds earlier.
St. Joseph’s struck back in the 14th minute as Eoghan Anderson skipped through before offloading to Cody Quirke for a routine finish to the net. The Clonfert College response was emphatic as they plundered 1-2 without reply with Ó Tuairisg producing a deft finish to the bottom corner.
But, the Borrisoleigh men still possessed a threat as Ryan was denied by Monaghan before Anderson netted late in the half to give his side the lead at the break.
A Shane Ryan free gave St. Joseph’s the ideal start but Clonfert College battled back once more as captain Odhran Shearon scooped the sliothar to the net after making a nuisance of himself.
But, Kennedy’s introduction changed the game as he played with a point to prove. He struck over the next two scores but Clonfert College were able to hang tough as despite struggling to consistently convert placed balls, Ross Glynn arrowed two over to tie the game at 2-11 apiece.
From there, St. Joseph’s College took over as Kennedy continued to produce classy scores while Micheál Collins’ late effort put this game out of reach for a Clonfert College side who have enjoyed a week to remember after securing the school’s first Connacht title on Monday last.
*Full report in Tuesday’s Roscommon Herald*
