Raharney show they are Ready willing and able

Raharney 1-18, Clonkill 1-13

Raharney retained the Westmeath All County Hurling League Division 1 title following a five-point victory over Clonkill at TEG Cusack Park on Friday evening.

Just two points separated the sides at half-time in a gripping hurling contest and it was level twice in the third quarter before Raharney finished strongest, a goal from substitute Caolán Ready proving crucial. That decisive score came after Clonkill substitute Oisin Murray pounced for a goal to set up an exciting finish.

It was a serious hurling contest, competitive, intense and sprinkled with moments of top quality, with both sides enjoying productive spells. Eamonn Cunneen’s sideline cut, for example, was up there with any of the best scores ever at the stadium and if one of the leading stars for Limerick or Galway showed the same level of skill and execution, people would rave about it.

And the Raharney wing-back was generally in outstanding form, slotting over some wonderful scores from distance.

Hurling is suffering this year in Westmeath, living in the shadow of the county’s historic winning streak at senior football level, while in contrast the flagship hurling side endured a difficult campaign. But there was certainly plenty to feel positive about watching these two protagonists go toe to toe.

Raharney led by 0-10 to 0-8 at the break, but Clonkill showed enough to suggest they would be a tough nut to crack, coming from three points down after 11 minutes. While Oisin Loughlin’s early strike after 22 seconds had Clonkill ahead, Ciaran Doyle’s free made it 0-4 to 0-1 in Raharney’s favour, the accuracy of Eamonn Cunneen and pace of Eoin Keyes coming to the fore in the early stages. A fine strike by Robbie Cleary suggested the charges of Pat O’Toole and Frank Aughey would be seriously competitive.

After Cian Loughlin’s free brought the sides level, Cunneen showed class and skill to slot over a sideline cut from distance. Raharney built on that and went three clear by the 22nd minute, another quality Cunneen strike setting them apart. But Clonkill produced a great spell either side of the half-time break. The challengers shot six unanswered scores to underline their intent.

On target were Loughlin (three frees) and Darragh Kenny, who shot a monstrous free from his own defence with the breeze behind him, the ball tipped over by opposing goalie Brian McHugh.

They threatened to break through during this spell, but centre-back Brian Gaffney was crowded out by the Raharney defence. Niall Dowdall skilfully controlled Loughlin’s cross-field pass to slot over and Loughlin then added another free for a rampant Clonkill side.

Raharney regrouped and Eoghan Ahearn and Ciaran Doyle (free) brought the sides level; Keyes, Doyle, Cunneen and Ready followed up to make it six points without reply. Cunneen’s strike in the 42nd minute was one of quality again.

Clonkill’s spirit never waned. From a sideline cut by sub Luke Meyler, Oisin Murray pounced to bat the ball home in the opposing square. And Andrew Shaw’s fine point had it all square by the 50th minute (1-12 to 0-15). Darragh Egerton’s tenacity under the high ball summed up Clonkill’s effort at this stage and it was now anyone’s game.

Raharney found a way, however, and the crucial score came from Ready, who sent a low shot under the advancing Shane Power when Cunneen delivered long from a free. Doyle (free) and Keyes added points. Peadar Scally replied with a Clonkill free but Ahearn’s fine point ensured victory for Raharney as two late Clonkill frees came to nought.

Johnny Greville has returned as manager and Raharney are back as serious contenders. Killian Doyle missed Friday’s final, but he will be tormenting defences when the serious stuff of championship hurling gets underway in July. They lost full-back Jamie Mulkearns to a knee injury and he was carried off very early before leaving the venue by ambulance and all Gaels will hope he makes a full recovery.

Ciaran Doyle was presented with the cup by Westmeath County Committee chairman Paddy Wallace and walked off carrying it as if he were heading home from Weir’s shop with a bag of groceries. Not a word spoken in acceptance. He will hope Raharney have bigger things to talk about at a later stage in the season.

Scorers - Raharney: C Ready 1-2, E Cunneen (1 sideline) and C Doyle (5f) 0-5 each, E Ahearn 0-3, E Keyes 0-2, Cormac McKeogh 0-1.

Clonkill: C Loughlin 0-7 (6f), O Murray 1-0, O Loughlin, D Kenny (free), P Scally (free), N Dowdall, R Cleary and A Shaw 0-1.

Raharney: Brian McHugh; Aaron Flanagan, Jamie Mulkearns, Matt Shaw; Eamonn Cunneen, Robbie Greville, Rory Keyes; Conor McKeogh, Darren Finn; Michael Doherty, Ciaran Doyle, Eoin Keyes; Callum McKeogh, Cormac McKeogh, Eoghan Ahearn. Subs: Caolán Ready for Mulkearns (inj., 3), Darragh Core for Callum McKeogh (39), Luke Darby for Flanagan (47), Joe Mulvaney for Cormac McKeogh (49).

Clonkill: Shane Power; Ciaran Nolan, Darragh Kenny, Ciaran Nooney; Ciaran Egerton, Brian Gaffney, Paul Poynton; Matthew Glynn, Jordie Smyth; Oisin Loughlin, Peadar Scally, Robbie Cleary; Cian Loughlin, John Kenny, Niall Dowdall. Subs: Andrew Shaw for Glynn (28), Luke Meyler for Cleary (ht), Darragh Egerton for C Egerton (35), Jack Murtagh for Gaffney (41), Oisin Murray for Smyth (47).

Referee: Bernard Heaney (Clann na nGael).