Clonad and Borris/Kilcotton to battle it out for Junior ‘C’ honours

TO SOME it may be just the Junior ‘C’ Hurling final but tomorrow (Thursday) these two clubs will be treating it very seriously. These are both very proud clubs.

Clonad reached a first senior final in 1925 when they lost to Rathdowney but five years later they beat Ballygeehan to be crowned senior champions for the first time. Portlaoise had also denied them in 1928.

Further senior titles arrived in 1930, ‘33, ‘35, ’37 and a memorable three in a row followed in ‘46, ‘47 and ’48. Andy Dunne was the winning captain on all three years but a fourth was denied when the ‘Squiz’ Cranny led Abbeyleix to victory in ’49.

Then history was made, when led by Paddy Norton, Clonad regained the title and the first presentation of the Bob O’Keefe Cup. A year later Mick Rigney brought the cup to Ballaghmore, Kyle had won their only senior title.

The trophy was soon back in Clonad. Andy Dunne put titles back to back in 1953 and ’54.

Kyle were back in the hunt in 1955 but Lar Dunphy brought it to Cullohill Mountain for the first time. Then another new name went on the plinth when the great and the talented Christy O’Brien brought the cup to Borris-in-Ossory back to back. The men in Red and White were in search of three in a row to match the men in the Green and Gold and the Sash were their opponents.

Instead the gifted Joe Styles was presented with the O’Keefe cup when Clonad won the title after a replay.

Junior honours have avoided both clubs more or less.

Borris-in-Ossory were first crowned junior champions in 1939 led by Jimmy Fitzpatrick. Christy O’Brien was captain in 1952 and ten years later they beat Mountmellick.

Twenty years further down the line Eamon Jones led Kilcotton to glory beating Durrow. Thirty years ago Kilcotton were again crowned champions beating Colt captained by Brendan Coss. In 2014 Ronan Kelly led Borris/Kilcotton to Junior ‘B’ honours when they overcame Mountmellick 3-10 to 2-3.

Borris-in-Ossory have won three Junior ‘B’ titles while John Stapleton led Kilcotton to their only ‘B’ title 20 years ago.

Clonad have just one Junior ‘B’ championship title. They beat Camross in 2000.

2001 saw the only Junior ‘C’ title head to Kilcotton when led by Tomas Carroll they beat Park/Ratheniska.

Clonad have been the surprise packet so far this year, not because they reached the final, but it is the scoring tallies they have run up against Camross, Ballypickas. Their semi-final against St Lazerian’s Abbeyleix in the COE was a record score in any grade.

Borris/Kilcotton began by beating Portlaoise, then Rosenallis and Camross. In a closely contested semi-final they defeated one of the title favourites, Clough/Ballacolla, to reach a first final since 2014.

Choosing a winner can be difficult as the competition gets little coverage until the latter stages. The two teams will make a real battle to get across the line. Borris/Kilcotton should have more honours since their amalgamation almost ten years ago. They have both youth and experience on their side, including three senior medallists - Willie Whelan, Chris Jones and the only man to bring home the O’Keefe Cup, Brian Stapleton.

The famous Green Roads watering hole supplies two experienced hurlers. Alan Drennan is team captain and brother Owen. Their late father, Liam was an all-round sportsman. Add in Michael Breen, Colm Delaney, Robert Jones, Barry Wall and they will be a serious challenge.

Clonad have been too long out of the honours list in any grade. Captained by Colin Delaney, they will make a fierce effort to bring home the honours. Dan McCormack played senior football with O’Dempsey’s but his performance with Clonad hurlers has brought him new attention. Ray Killeen is another lethal attacker and if they get enough ball into him they will cause problems for the men in green and red.

Already the destination of the Junior ‘B’ title has been decided. In a hard fought battle Ballyfin challenged Ballinakill. Both sides included experienced, long-serving players and Ballinakill were proud when they were presented with the trophy again.

The winners of the Junior ‘C’ will be equally proud. Borris/Kilcotton are celebrating 11 years on the go this year. They will be hoping to begin the week well as they will be attempting to reach the senior semi-final on Sunday when they square up to Camross.

Clonad are also celebrating. The date on the club’s entrance wall says 1915 as when the club was founded and for a proud club they feel they should be competing in a higher grade. Next Sunday they hope to take another step when they take on Slieve-Bloom in the intermediate championship semi-final.