Late blitz sees Green and Gold take Féile hurling title

In Joristown on Saturday morning last the under 15 hurlers of Clonkill played out an epic battle in horrendous conditions for the Féile 2024 title in what can only be described as a tonic for the soul for all Westmeath hurling fans.

This game had more twists and turns than a byroad and in the end Clonkill somehow managed a three-point win when for the most part their host Raharney looked all over winners. Skill, guile, commitment and pride were in abundance from the very first whistle to the last and old rivals gave what was best in a game where conditions played and enormous part and when heart and guts came to the fore for both sides in an absorbing contest whose result was in the melting pot right to the final whistle.

Clonkill will represent Westmeath with pride at national Féile, but Raharney can hold their heads up high for the manner in which they went down in defeat.

The first half was cagey in the beginning with MJ Long opening the scoring with a fine point and then a free before Raharney got themselves together and two goals in 70 seconds from Cian McKeogh and Darragh Fitzsimons had the home support in raptures and Clonkill on the back foot. McKeogh added a superb point for the Deelsiders to extend the lead, but two frees and a beauty form play from Clonkill full forward Ben Loughlin dragged his team back into the game and at the sort blast of James McGrath whistle Raharney led by two on a 2-1 to 0-5 scoreline as we paused for breath after and exhilarating half in dreadful conditions concluded.

SMASH AND GRAB

It was tit for tat on the resumption as two Loughlin frees and a superb score from sub James McHugh added to Clonkill's tally, while Tom Shaw and another Darragh Fitzsimons free kept the Blues ahead as the game swung from end to end. But in truth Raharney should have put their opponents away in that earlier part of the half with some very scorable chances wasted and indeed Clonkill full back Long in imperious form as he denied them time and again. Aaron Connaire pointed from long-range for the Loughegar side which many thought had gone to the net. In that regard they didn’t have to wait long and as a speculative shot from long-range by Eoghan Daly somehow managed to find the onion bag and all of a sudden as we entered added time: Clonkill had somehow pulled the iron from the fire to lead.

The final blow came from deadly accurate Ben Loughlin who added the from a free and try as they might, Raharney could not gain parity. In the end it was a late, late smash and grab for Clonkill to claim the victory and the title, breaking Raharney hearts with their final rally. In truth, though, both sides are to be commended on their skills in very poor conditions at times and indeed we all look forward to their battles later in the year at championship level.

Scorers - Clonkill: Ben Loughlin 0-6 (5 frees), Eoghan Daly 1-0, MJ Long 0-2 (1 65’), Aaron Connaire and James McHugh 0-1 each.

Raharney: Cian McKeogh and Darragh Fitzsimons (1 free) 1-1 each, Tom Shaw 0-2.

Teams

Clonkill: James Nea, Adam Kiernan, MJ Long, Peter Raleigh, Jake Raeside, Aaron Connaire, Ciaran McGrath, Killian Raleigh, Conor Cleary, Michael Brennan, Colm Clinton, Eoghan Daly, Sean Maleady, Ben Loughlin, Eli Green. Subs used: Conor Raleigh, James McHugh, Adam Hughes and Odhran McColgan.

Raharney: Jack Heffernan, Cadan Core, Callum McHugh, Calvin Collins, Ronan Smith, Cian McGee, Jack Doyle, Cian McKeogh, Josh McGurran, Tom McDermott, Eoghan Flanagan, Sean McCann, James Kenna, Tom Shaw, Darragh Fitzsimons. Subs used: Luke Gray, Darragh O’Donoghue, Ruairi Fleming and Hugh Kennedy.

Referee: James McGrath (Turin).