2023 West U21A Hurling Final

West U21A Hurling Final

Clonoulty Rossmore 2.15 (21)
Cappawhite Gaels 1.17 (20)

John O’Shea at Kilcommon.

Clonoulty Rossmore, last winners of the title in 2019, are the O’ Dwyer Steel West Under 21A Hurling champions for the 22nd time following their dramatic injury time win over Cappawhite Gaels at Kilcommon on Sunday.

Played in dry conditions before a large crowd, with a strong wind blowing towards the clubhouse end, this game certainly lived up to expectations, good scores, hooking, blocking, tackling and huge drama in injury time. Cappa led throughout and were never headed in normal time. They were two points to the good in injury time when Clonoulty Rossmore were awarded a 20-meter free, slightly to the right of the goals. Up stepped Stephen Ferncombe and the ace marksman crashed home the winner on 66 minutes.

The question now was with a further two minutes remaining, could Cappa Gaels get an equaliser and bring the game to extra time. In the end Clonoulty held out, but one must have some sympathy for the combination. They led from the off, following a Conor Martin point from open play just after 26 seconds and had extended this advantage out to 0.6 to 0.1 by the tenth minute. Playing with the aid of the wind they were dictating the play and Clonoulty were finding it hard to come to terms with them. They were never headed until six minutes into added time at the end.

Cappa still were up by 0.8 to 0.3 after fifteen minutes, but then Clonoulty Rossmore hit three points in a four-minute spell, which included the first score from play by midfielder Paddy Kennedy, when he intercepted a short puck out. The combination were still ahead by three at half time, but they will rue some wayward shooting during the opening half when they hit seven wides.

Cappa got the perfect start to the second period when Mikey Carmody crashed home the opening goal of the game, after the Clonoulty defence failed to deal with a long delivery from Gearoid Ryan (B). The led by seven after 38 minutes of play but a Stephen Ferncombe goal five minutes later reduced the deficit to three. Clonoulty were back on level terms for the fourth time following a converted free from Stephen Ferncombe, two minutes into added time. Two points from Pakie Barry and Mikey Carmody in the space of 90 seconds gave Cappa the advantage as the clock ticked down. However, the drama was only starting as Ferncombe crashed home the winner on 66 minutes.

Cappa Gaels played with the aid of the elements for the opening half and Conor Martin got the scoreboard ticking after just 26 seconds with the first score of the game at the clubhouse end. Three minutes later Stephen Ferncombe equalised for the first time when he put over a placed ball. Cappa were dominating proceedings around the pitch and were transferring this dominance to the scoreboard. They hit the next five points without reply, in what was their best period of the game, with Pakie Barry, James Quinlan (free), Conor Martin, Gearoid Ryan (B), and Sam Carmody all finding the range. Clonoulty tightened up in defence, with Danny Slattery dropping back and Robert Doyle coming out around midfield. This began to pay dividends as the next four points were shared, two from placed balls from Stephen Ferncombe and one each from Pakie Barry and a free from James Quinlan. Cappa were still five points to the good after the opening quarter but Clonoulty hit the next three points, two from Ferncombe placed balls and their first from play from Paddy Kennedy, following his interception of a short puck-out. Quinlan and Ferncombe traded placed balls before Mikey Carmody put his side three to the good with a point in injury time to leave the half time score, Cappawhite Gaels 0. 10, Clonoulty Rossmore 0.7.

Fifty seconds following the resumption, Clonoulty were dealt a huge blow as Mikey Carmody crashed home the opening goal when the Clonoulty defence failed to deal adequately with a long high ball from Gearoid Ryan (B). Robert Doyle pulled one back before points from Conor Martin and Sam Carmody pushed the Cappa lead out to seven by the 38th minute. Stephen Ferncombe converted his seventh placed ball to cut the deficit to six. Clonoulty’s opening goal came following a huge puck-out from Jason O’Dwyer, which dropped over the defence and Ferncombe was on hand to find the net. Two further points from Robert Doyle and Jamie Davern left one between the sides by the three-quarter mark.

The final quarter plus added time was edge of the seat stuff. James Quinlan put over a long range free before Ferncombe tied the game for only the second time with two points in succession, one from a free. Quinlan and Ferncombe again exchanged minors as the game headed towards added time. Tristan Stokes then eased the combo back in front, before Ferncombe again tied the game.
Clonoulty Rossmore’s comeback looked like having come unstuck as Pakie Barry and Mikey Carmody hit two points in a ninety second period. However, in one last attack Robert Doyle was fouled slightly to the right of the near goal. Stephen Ferncombe crashed home the resulting free and Clonoulty Rossmore were in front by the minimum for only the first time in the game. Cappa tried gallantly for an equaliser but Clonoulty held firm and emerged by the minimum, 2.15 to 1.17.

Cappa will be disappointed, but in a game of tight margins, their first half wides when they had wind advantage was a factor. Clonoulty Rossmore now meet Roscrea in the FBD County U21A Hurling Championship semi-final.

Teams:

Clonoulty Rossmore: Jason O’Dwyer, Richard Ferncombe, Keelan Ryan, Shane Davern, Jack Kennedy, Danny Slattery (Captain), Michael Ryan (Lanty), Cormac Quirke, Paddy Kennedy (0.1), Jamie Davern (0.1), Stephen Ferncombe (2.11, 1.10 frees), Alex Carroll, Seamus Kennedy, Robert Doyle (0.2), Frank O’Dwyer

Subs used; Finbarr Ryan for Alex Carroll (47)

Cappawhite Gaels: Anthony Barry (Joint Captain), Mikey O’Brien, Ben White, Conor Gantley, Cian O’Carroll, Gearoid Ryan (B) (0.1, Joint Captain), James Quinlan (0.5 frees), Tommy Costello, Stephen Dee, Sam Carmody (0.2), Conor Martin (0.3, 1 free), Mikey Carmody (1.2), Neil Clancy, Daire Duggan, Pakie Barry (0.3)

Subs used: Brian Ger Buckley for Mikey O’Brien (inj 33), Tristan Stokes (0.1) for Neil Clancy (40), Michael English for Tommy Costello (60)

Referee: Donie Horan (Eire Og Annacarty Donohill)

Click below to view match photos:

Match Photos by Vincent Flynn Photography.

(Back L-R): Stephen Dee, Seán Cleary, Conor Gantley, Tommy Costello, Cian O’ Carroll, Anthony Barry (Joint-Captain), Gearoid Ryan (B) (Joint-Captain), Michael English, Daire Duggan, Tommy O’ Mahoney, Neil Clancy, Ben White, Caoimhín Doody. (Front L-R): Pakie Barry, Tristan Stokes, Conor Martin, Sam Carmody, Mikey Carmody, Brian Gerard Buckley, James Quinlan, Mikey O’ Brien.