Onions leads the way as Clonad begin their climb back to the top
Gareth and David O'Brien with PJ Daly and the Heterington Cup Photo: Denis Byrne
CLONAD are back on the winners enclosure after they overcame a strong Mountrath challenge on Saturday evening in perfect conditions at Laois Hire O’Moore Park. The two clubs were worthy contestants for the Hetherington Cup.
Clonad started well and within a minute Fionn Holland blazed the ball between the uprights with the aid of a slight breeze. Ross Holmes added Clonad’s second point after four minutes and three minute later John Onions made it three.
At this stage Mountrath were struggling but Mark Cusack opened their account with a well taken point. The game was ten minutes old before either side conceded a free which as a result of James Fahy swung over Mountrath’s second point.
Clonad hit back in style. John Onions fired low for a goal but Mountrath keeper Brandon Russell brought off a great save. However his clearance only reached Onions and this time he fired across the goalmouth where the alert, Dan O’Sullivan fired a pile driver to the net.
Mountrath replied when Eoin Brennan stood over a free from 40 metres out to raise a white flag.
Clonad responded with a pair of points by the outstanding Paddy Callaghan while Onions converted another free at the end of the first quarter.
Mountrath interrupted the flow with fine score by James Fahy.
Clonad were improving as the second quarter progressed and added points John Onions, PJ Daly and a long range point from Barry Cormack.
Mountrath won a free which was converted by Eoin Brennan. They followed with a point by Cian Hill.
But Clonad finished the half in style. First Fionn Holland fired a rasper just over the crossbar while Paddy O’Callaghan closed the half’s scoring leaving the board reading Clonad 1-11 Mountrath 0-5.
Mountrath departed depleted and at the other end Clonad must have been happy, although the stats people said they had also shot nine wides in almost perfect conditions.
Mountrath came back looking more confident and when awarded an early free out on the left, sharp hooter Eoin Brennan lobbed in a perfect ball that the Clonad keeper Jimmy Farrell seemed to have under control. The sliotar seem to roll along the crossbar and fell to the ground close to the line. After some discussion between the officials, the referee, Anthony Stapleton pointed for the green flag to be raised. This was just the start Mountrath needed.
Clonad were stung but hit back with a brace of points by John Onions.
Mountrath then fired a number of bad wides. However their best patch was to follow, started by Eoin Brennan. Clonad then untypically hit two bad wides and were looking a little in disarray.
On came John Noonan for Ross Holmes as Mountrath fired over points by Cian Hill, James Fahy and Eoin Brennan reducing the margin to four points and still 15 minutes to play.
That said, Clonad did not panic. Mountrath saw a 65 sail wide before Fionn Holland pointed as did John Onions from a free. Six points now was the difference.
Mountrath launched a fine attack but the Clonad captain and goalkeeper, Jimmy Farrell dived to bring off a spectacular save and from the rebound Mountrath finished badly wide. Mountrath did added a point after 50 minutes to reduce the gap to five points.
Clonad were back at their best as seem by John Noonan’s fine point. Another by Paddy Callaghan and another Onions free left seven as the margin.
Again Mountrath responded with points by Eoin Brennan and substitute Gavin Sydes.
PJ Daly replied with a fine score for Clonad and fittingly John Onions closed the scoring as the title went to Clonad.
Mountrath fought gallantly but the Clonad defence made sure no late goals were about to spoil their party.
Overall, this was a well contested sporting contest. The last time Clonad were here in a final ten years ago, a last minute point by Trumera denied them a replay.
Naturally the Sash were thrilled to win and rightly so. Next up is a trip to Dublin for a first ever Leinster club game at this level.
After the game the Chairman of County Board PJ Kelly congratulated both teams on a very sporting contest before presenting the Hetherington Cup to the Clonad captain, Jimmy Farrell, who becomes the first player from the club to accept this trophy.
In his speech he thanked all who had made such an effort to bring the title back to Clonad. He thanked the club officials who worked so hard to ensure no effort was spared.
John Onions 0-7 (0-5fs), Dan O’Sullivan 1-0, Paddy O’Callaghan and Fionn Holland 0-3 each, PJ Daly 0-2, Ross Holmes and John Noonan 0-1 (each).
Eoin Brennan 1-7 (1-4fs), James Fahy 0-2 Mark Cusack, Tom Kirwan, Cian Hill and Gavin Sydes 0-1 each.
Jimmy Farrell; Gareth O’Brien, Jack Ahern, Liam Whelan; Charlie Hand, David O’Brien, Paddy O’Callaghan; James Whelan, Barry Cormack; PJ Daly, Fionn Holland, Jimmy Norton; John Onions, Dan O’Sullivan, Ross Holmes.
Cillian Duff for O’Sullivan (45m), John Noonan for Holmes (53m), Jim Holland for O’Callaghan (60m).
Brandon Russell; Jack Larkin, Kyle Moore, Kevin Murphy; Ruairi Carroll, Paul Rice, James Tobin; Gavin Sydes, Gearoid Williams; Tom Kirwan, Cian Hill, Eoin Brennan; Mark Cusack, James Fahy, Caelum O’Brien.
Aidan Linehan for Larkin (18m), Glen Tobin for Williams (42m), Colm Linehan for O’Brien (54m), Scott Hetherington for Brennan (60m).
Anthony Stapleton (Rathdowney/Errill)
