Loughlin points the way as Clonkill down Raharney to take minor trophy
Six points from Kian Loughlin combined with a cameo of 1-1 off the bench from Michael Joseph Long ensured that Clonkill took the MJS Builds Minor hurling title for 2024 after overcoming Raharney in appalling conditions in TEG Cusack Park last Sunday.
As the curtain-raiser for the then abandoned senior decider, the two sides put in a solid effort against the elements facing them, but relentless rain and the decimated turf made it almost impossible.
Raharney started the brighter of the two and a lovely score from Oisín McCawley got them off the mark in the opening minute. The sides were soon level when Loughlin struck with his first of five frees for the day. The first one of the easiest of the bunch. Clonkill were sturdy in defence and full-back Ross Murray was central to their refusal to allow Raharney through. Loughlin’s second place-ball put Clonkill ahead but after a flurry of wides at either end, parity was restored on ten minutes through McCawley once again.
Pádraig Monaghan was next on the scoreboard when he was the man on the end of a great ball from Loughlin, allowing the forward time and space to stride close and rifle to the net to make it 1-2 to 0-2. Heading into the second-quarter and with the rain showing no signs of letting up, Joe Mulvaney opened his account with a free to reduce the gap. Nearing the end of the half, Mulvaney struck twice more to bring things level, both from frees in scoreable positions. Clonkill entered the dressing rooms in the lead, albeit saturated, when Loughlin pointed his next free. Some late mini-drama occurred when Niall Brady let Mulvaney’s free slip but Murray cleared to end the first thirty.
Michael Joseph Long, MJ as he was known by those in attendance, was brought on for Clonkill at the break. The lead went out to two when Loughlin pointed after Caymon Flynn awarded a free for a clear foul. The green and gold defence continued where they left off by refusing entry as Finn Raeside, Brady, and Peter Conneely all put in fine blocks. The reward came at the far end moments later when a tame effort was fumbled by Oran Smith in the Raharney goal and in popped Long to bat the ball to the net: 2-5 to 0-5 and a commanding lead in the conditions. With the basic skills proving a challenge and the conditions as much of a hindrance as any player on the opposition, both sides struggled. Mulvaney’s free eventually fell out to Aaran Flanagan who struck before Loughlin responded immediately with his own.
The Raharney purple-patch did materialise between the 40th and 50th minute as they hit 1-2 without reply to bring the gap down to one. The two points both courtesy of McCawley from different angles, sandwiching the goal from replacement, Jayden Hill. Following a shot by Caolan Ready which was saved by the foot of Niall Brady, Hill hit the rebound home having mishit the first attempted follow-up. Two red cards were issued within a short space. First, Peter McGee, the Raharney manager, was sent to the stand after the linesman brought something to the attention of the referee. Soon after, an on-field removal as Pádraig Monaghan, the first goalscorer for Clonkill, was sent for a dangerous tackle on Mark Doherty.
With four minutes left, MJ Long produced a stunning catch off Brady’s puck-out and won a free. Jamie Kelleghan took it quickly to Long who drilled down the line to the willing Carl McCormack before the forward fired over from a tough angle. In search of a winning goal, Raharney tried desperately. Winston Larkin replied with a point in stoppage time but they could not muster the levelling score, let alone the winning goal. In response, Clonkill managed to break out of defence and with multiple Raharney men forward, Long had the freedom to run and point with the final insurance score. Clonkill won, 2-8 to 1-9, and Chairman of Westmeath Minor Board, Barry Kelly, presented the trophy to captain Conor Daly.
Scorers – Clonkill: K Loughlin 0-6 (5f), M J Long 1-1, C McCormack 0-1, P Monaghan 1-0.
Raharney: O McCawley 0-4, J Mulvaney 0-3f, J Hill 1-0, A Flanagan 0-1, W Larkin 0-1.
Clonkill: Niall Brady; Finn Raeside, Ross Murray, Peter Conneely; Jamie Kelleghan, Jack Murtagh, Aaron Connaire; Conor Daly, Liam De Clár; Jake Muldoon, Carl McCormack, Luke Meyler; Kian Loughlin, Darragh Egerton, Pádraig Monaghan. Subs used: Michael Joseph Long for Muldoon (h-t), Andrew Brennan for Egerton (60+2)
Raharney: Oran Smith; Mikie Duffy, Eoin Daly, Cian Fleming; Mark Doherty, Aaran Flanagan, Oisín McCawley; Joe Mulvaney, Winston Larkin; Eoin Briody, Seán McGee, Caolan Ready; Ciarán Kavanagh, Cormac McKeogh, Adam Smith. Subs used: Jayden Hill for Briody (h-t), Michael Taggart for Ready (38), Cian McGee for Kavanagh (44)
Referee: Caymon Flynn (St Brigid’s).