Impressive Clonkill cruise into minor hurling decider

Clonkill 4-17, Raharney 1-8

Clonkill produced a scintillating second-half performance to sweep past Raharney and secure their place in this year’s Westmeath Minor Hurling Championship final, running out convincing 18-point winners in Clonkill on Saturday afternoon.

After leading by just three points at the interval (0-8 to 0-5), the Loughegar side were simply unstoppable on the resumption, outscoring their opponents by 4-9 to 1-3 in a dominant spell that left no doubt about the result.

The star of the show was undoubtedly Kian Loughlin, who gave a superb all-round display, combining work rate, vision, and skill, while helping himself to a personal tally of 1-7. Loughlin’s leadership and creativity were central to Clonkill’s surge, and he was well supported by Darragh Kenny, Eoghan Daly, Jamie Kelleghan, Andrew Brennan, and Pádraig Monaghan.

With St Oliver Plunkett’s having overcome Castletown Geoghegan in the other semi-final earlier that afternoon, a mouth-watering final now awaits between two sides full of attacking flair.

Despite heavy overnight rain from Storm Amy, the Clonkill pitch was in immaculate condition for what was a physical, competitive first half. Playing with the wind, the hosts took early control through two Loughlin frees, after fouls on Michael Moloney and Conor Maleady.

Raharney hit back through Donnacha Briody (free) and Tom Shaw, before points from Loughlin (play) and Cormac McKeogh (free) left the sides level. Clonkill then edged ahead with efforts from Kelleghan and Loughlin (free). Fine defending at both ends ensured no goal was conceded: Andrew Brennan brilliantly deflected a Raharney shot over the bar, while ‘keeper Oran Smith denied Monaghan a certain goal with a superb save.

Further scores from Kenny and Luke Meyler left Clonkill 0-8 to 0-5 ahead at half-time, though Raharney nearly drew level before the break — Niall Brady diving to his left to keep out a powerful strike from Ciaran Farrell.

Any hopes of a Raharney fightback after the restart were quickly quashed. Within four minutes, MJ Long teed up Luke Meyler for a brilliant goal, before points from Michael Brennan and Finn Raeside stretched the gap. Although Raharney’s Briody and McKeogh kept the scoreboard ticking with frees, Clonkill’s defence — led by Brennan, Daly and Sean Flynn — stood firm.

When substitute Jayden Hill netted for Raharney to reduce the deficit to five, Clonkill’s response was emphatic.

Two quickfire goals from Loughlin and Monaghan, along with points from Loughlin and Long, blew the game wide open. Loughlin’s goal came after a powerful solo run, while Monaghan’s was the result of a superb threaded pass from Loughlin through the heart of the Raharney defence.

As Raharney faded, Clonkill closed out in style. MJ Long, Luke Meyler, and substitute Adam Kenny added points before Michael Moloney capped the win with a fine solo goal, finishing off after bursting through the middle.

Clonkill’s commanding second-half showing was as complete a team performance as you could wish for. And with Loughlin pulling the strings, they now march confidently into the Division 1 decider.

Scorers – Clonkill: Kian Loughlin 1-7 (0-5 frees), Luke Meyler 1-3, Pádraig Monaghan 1-0, Michael Moloney 1-0, MJ Long 0-2, Jamie Kelleghan 0-1, Darragh Kenny 0-1, Michael Brennan 0-1, Finn Raeside 0-1, Adam Kenny 0-1.

Raharney: Donnacha Briody 0-4 (frees), Jayden Hill 1-0, Cormac McKeogh 0-2 (frees), Tom Shaw 0-1, Josh McGaughan 0-1.

Clonkill: Niall Brady; Eoghan Daly, Andrew Brennan, Sean Flynn; Jamie Kelleghan, Darragh Kenny, Conor Cleary; Michael Moloney, Finn Raeside; Michael Brennan, Kian Loughlin, Luke Meyler; MJ Long, Pádraig Monaghan, Conor Maleady.

Subs: Adam Kenny for Maleady (54), Billy Dunne for Brennan (60), Ciaran McGrath for Cleary (60).

Raharney: Oran Smith; Calum McHugh, Cian McGee, Tommy Smith; Oisin McCawley, Aaron Flanagan, Ciaran Farrell; Cian Fleming, Ronan Lawlor; Josh McGaughan, Cormac McKeogh, Tom Shaw; Donnacha Briody, Cian McKeogh, Eoghan Flanagan.

Subs: Michael Taggart for Eoghan Flanagan (36), Jayden Hill for Calum McHugh (38), Owen Bagnall for McGaughan (55), Paidi Weir for Taggart (inj., 58).

Referee: Bernard Heaney (Clann na Gael).

Man of the Match: Kian Loughlin (Clonkill).