Ahán Gaels 0-11

Clonakilty 1-7

TOM LYONS REPORTS

CAOLAN O’Donovan emerged as Ahán Gael’s hero, scoring an injury-time free to clinch glory in the Clona Milk U21B hurling championship final in Newcestown on Saturday.

Wintry rain in the first half and very soft conditions underfoot underlined the need to play these hurling games much earlier in the season. It was no surprise that 11 of the 19 scores registered over the hour were from frees. Holding a hurley, let alone directing the sliotar between the posts, was a major achievement in the conditions.

In a very tight contest, it was fitting that ace Ahán forward Caolan O’Donovan decided the issue from a 50-metre free in the 62nd minute. It was O’Donovan’s sixth pointed free and he also chipped in with two of Ahan’s three points from play.

Clonakilty's James Murnane is tackled by Ahán Gaels' Stephen O'Driscoll. (Photo: Paddy Feen)

Standing shoulder to shoulder with O’Donovan was centre back Conor O’Sullivan, who totally dominated much of the game from his position, and converted two great long-range frees in the third quarter.

On the Clon side, centre forward Fionn McCarthy was their main attacking threat, hitting three points from placed balls, while Jack Byerley emerged as top scorer from play with three fine points.

‘That was a real battle. It was good from both sets of players because at this time of the year conditions are tough. It’s going to come down to a mistake, a free, a puck of the ball,’ said a delighted Ahán manager Mike Dineen.

‘We had the free-takers but credit to both sides, we were fortunate to get that last free. It was that close. Pure dogged heart and determination, that's what it took today. It’s work-rate and we asked the lads to work for it, they couldn’t have given us anymore. We’re absolutely delighted.

‘There’s all this talk about amalgamated at present, we had only 19 players togged out today between the two clubs, so that must be noted. We had two lads injured, so that’s 21 in total to pick from, shared evenly enough between both clubs. We got 100 percent from those lads out there today. That’s a huge result for both our clubs going forward.’

A tough-tackling Ahán were first into their stride as the rain came down. Three points from frees by Caolan O’Donovan had them 0-3 to 0-1 in front by the end of the first quarter, the Clon point coming from a Fionn McCarthy free.

Clon received a huge boost in the 16th minute when Fergal Murphy rifled a shot to the Ahán net to take the lead against the run of play. When Oisín Hassett added a point, the first from play, Clon were two to the good.

Scores were at a premium in the second quarter, O’Donovan pointed two more frees, punishing Clon’s tendency to foul and the scores were level. It was Clon in front at the break when McCarthy pointed yet another free, 1-3 to 0-5.

Thankfully, the rain had disappeared in the second half but the going was tough in the conditions. With Eoin Mangan and Conor O’Sullivan backboning a solid defence and James Fleming and Jack Eady showing up well in the middle third, Ahán again began well with three scores in a row, O’Sullivan hit two tremendous long-range frees, sandwiching one from play from O’Donovan. It was looking good for the St Marys/Mathúnas’ combination, leading by two, 0-8 to 1-3. Clon failed to score in the third quarter and were to rue a number of wides from frees and play.

Ahán Gaels' Jack Eady is challenged by Clonakilty's Fergal Murphy. (Photo: Paddy Feen)

Changing tactics and playing only two in the full-forward line paid dividends for the Brewery Town when lively corner forward Jack Byerley hit two fine scores from play to level the scores again.

Seán Coffey, Arjun Negri, Eamonn O’Donovan, James Murnane, James Costello, and Matt Murphy were going well for Clon at this stage but it was Ahán back in front when O’Donovan pointed from play in the 52nd minute.

Battling Clon were back level within two minutes from a McCarthy free. They hit the front when Byerley hit his third point, which would have been a vital goal but for the quick action of goalkeeper Diarmuid O’Driscoll.

Carbery PRO Tim Buckley presents the Corn Shéain Úi Dhuibhia Cup to Ahán Gaels captain Conor O'Sullivan. (Photo: Paddy Feen)

It was hell for leather at this stage as midfielder James Flemin levelled the game for the fourth time with two minutes remaining, and a draw loomed. It was not to be as O’Donovan proved the hero with his pointed free the winner in the 62nd minute.

Delight for never-say-die Ahán and heartbreak for battling Clonakilty.

The trophy was presented to winning captain Conor O’Sullivan by Carbery Board PRO Tim Buckley amid scenes of delight as the win bridged a long gap since the last U21 win.

OUR STARS: Conor O’Sullivan lorded affairs at centre back for the winners, hitting two vital long-range frees in the second half, while Caolan O’Donovan’s eight points, six from placed balls in tough conditions, won the game for Ahán.

Scorers

Ahán Gaels: Caolan O’Donovan 0-8 (6f); Conor O’Sullivan 0-2f; James Fleming 0-1.

Clonakilty: Fergal Murphy 1-0; Jack Byerley, Fionn McCarthy (3f) 0-3 each; Oisín Hassett 0-1.

Ahán Gaels: Diarmuid O’Driscoll; Jack Hilliard, Eoin Mangan, Eoin Keohane; Matt Daly, Conor O’Sullivan, Eoin Cullinane; James Fleming, Michael O’Sullivan; Patrick Collins, Jack Eady, Stephen O’Driscoll; James O’Sullivan, Caolan O’Donovan, Michael Bradfield.

Clonakilty: Eddie Morrissey; Eamonn O’Donovan, Seán Coffey, Arjun Negri; Gary Finn, James Murnane, James Costello; Emmet Curtin, Ben Coffey; Matt Murphy, Fionn McCarthy, Fergal Murphy; Jack Byerley, Shane O’Regan, Oisín Hassett.

Subs: Cillian White for S. O’Regan (ht), Des Kenneally for O. Hassett (45).

Referee: Stephen Murphy (Bandon).