Laois champions out of their depth
Clonad huddle as they prepare to take on Clane in the Leinster Club JHC semi-final
Another Kildare versus Laois hurling clash that ended on a one-sided scoreline. Earlier in the summer thousands travelled to Croke Park to watch the two counties clash in a first ever championship decider.
Last Saturday Laois followers need no reminding that the Lilywhites swept the O’Moores to one side to be crowned Joe McDonagh champions for the first time.
On Saturday it was the Leinster club junior hurling championship semi-final. Before the throw-in at Hawkfield the Kildare representatives, Clane would have been slight favourites.
Afterall, they had competed at Senior ‘B’ level in the Kildare championship and coasted to victory in the county final. They had also impressed in the provincial championship against strong opposition.
Before the game the Laois champions, Clonad were dealt a double blow. Firstly, PJ Daly had gone travelling since round one and then their top scorer, and impressive player all year, John Onions had to cry off due to illness.
No team can afford to lose players of their calibre but Clonad still came out full of determination. The host club also made two changes to their listed line up but it mattered little to them.
In fact one of the replacements was to be a real threat to the Clonad defence. Shane Henry wore number 25 jersey and by half time he had posted 1-4.
From the throw in Clonad went on the attack but were repulsed. Clane went on the attack and Hugh Muldoon opened the scoring with a good point. Clonad then forced two 65s but both went narrowly outside the upright at the score board end. Point number two fell to Shane Henry for the hosts.
Clonad forced another 65 and this time Barry Cormack made no mistake. However, Clonad would not score again until the 25th minute when an opportunist run past two defenders by Fionn Holland saw him slam past the Clane keeper for a good goal.
This was the break the Laois side needed but could not add to their tally before the half time break.
In the meantime Clane delivered points from Simon Healy, Paddy McKenna and midfielder Cormack Vizzard while Dan Colbert delivered a spectacular point. After that dressing room replacement Shane Henry added further points and at the interval Clane led 1-14 to 1-1.
Clonad remained in a huddle at the half time interval but what the manager could say or what changes he might make, was very debatable. The team returned still determined and a first attack was deflected out for a 65 duly converted by Barry Cormack. This was the start the Laois champions wanted. The same player repeated the feat three minutes later. Fionn Holland added a fine point from play but the hosts replied with a point by Shane Henry. At the other end, Barry Cormack found the target from play and Clonad were definitely making a game of it.
But Clane again took over the scoring. Caolan Smith and Paddy McKenna pointed from close range before Clane scored their second goal with five minutes of normal time remaining. This time a line ball by Simon Healy reached the full forward Smith and from close range he was never going to miss.
A minute later Barry Cormack added his and Clonad’s last point.
Kildare goalie Mark Doyle converted a free from 90 metres out while the final score fell to Clane midfielder Sean Shanahan.
The Kildare team were deserving winners and now advance to the provincial decider. Overall this was fine performance by the Kildare champions and they will make a bold bid for honours.
Clonad never gave up but from the beginning they struggled in most positions and simply had no answer to Clane’s shooting power.
Shane Henry 1-6, Caolan Smith 1-2, Paddy McKenna 0-4, Simon Healy, Cormac Vizzard and Sean Shanahan 0-2 each, Mark Doyle (f), Hugh Muldoon, Sean Christanseen and Dan Colbert 0-1 each.
Barry Cormack 0-5 (0-3fs, 0-2 65), Fionn Holland 1-1.
Mark Doyle; Aidan Mooney, Michael Cahalan, Tom Malone; Dan Colbert, Sean Malone, Aaron Connolly; Sean Shanahan, Cormac Vizzard; Simon Healy, Sean Christanseen, Hugh Muldoon; Paddy McKenna, Caolan Smith, Shane Henry.
Paddy Connolly for A Connolly (ht), Daniel Malone for Malone (36m), Ger Darcy for Healy (47m), Cian Shanahan for Cahalan (49m), Riann O’Neill for Henry (53m).
James Farrell; Gareth O’Brien, Jack Ahern, Liam Whelan; Charlie Hand, David O’Brien, Cillian Duff; Barry Cormack, James Whelan; Pat O’Callaghan, Fionn Holland, Jimmy Norton; Colin Delaney, Dan O’Sullivan, Ross Holmes.
Ray Killeen for Norton (47m), Jim Holland for Delaney (50m), Ciaran Donohue for Ahern (48m), John Noonan for O’Sullivan (52m, inj).
