Wolfe Tones dethrone champions Clarecastle

WOLFE TONES from Shannon, whose only other county title was won back in 1996 when they went on to claim the Munster title, installed themselves as favourites to lift the Clare senior hurling championship yesterday when they reversed last year’s county final result to dethrone Clarecastle on a 1-9 to 1-7 scoreline in a disappointing semi-final at Cusack Park, Ennis.

After the excitement of last year’s final, which was fought out in atrocious weather conditions, this was expected to be another thriller.

However, it developed into a dour struggle that saw Clarecastle having to play out the final 11 minutes with 14 men when referee, Ambrose Heagney, who indicated use of the foot, red carded full-forward Eric Flynn.

But that was the only significant offence registered as some ferocious man-to-man battles were fought out in a sporting manner with the Lohan brothers, Brian and Frank, lording it in the centre of a solid defence for Wolfe Tones. The team also enjoyed the better of the exchanges around the centre of the field, where Brian O’Connell had an excellent game aided by Gary O’Connell with Declan O’Rourke falling back from the attack to assist.

In the cockpit, Gareth McPhilips picked up important points from frees and another from play but it was Daithi O’Connell’s goal after 17 minutes that paved the way to victory for Shannon men.

The score may not have been the prettiest but it was vital. It came from a sideline cut that was snatched up O’Connell and when his first attempt was partially saved by John Casey in the Clarecastle goal he ran on to finish to the net.

Added to the earlier points from Brian O’Connell in the second minute, Bobby Philips, Declan O’Rourke and Frank Lohan from a long-range free, this left Wolfe tones 1-5 to 0-1 ahead with the signs ominous for the champions who had to wait for 12 minutes for their opening from Derek Quinn.

The goal was a rude awakening for Clarecastle and they responded with points from Danny Scanlon, Derek Quinn, Jonathan Clancy, Seanie Moloney and Derek Quinn again — all without reply — to leave just two points between the sides, 1-5 to 0-6, at half-time.

Gareth McPhilips pointed a free for Wolfe Tones a minute into the second half, but they were now looking over their shoulders. They might have had another goal three minutes later when Ronan Hehir dropped the sliotar into the goalmouth and Daithi O’Connell flicked it over his head first time. It went across the goal and was blocked down for Gareth Philips who put the ball over the bar.

Derek Quinn, from a 65, kept Clarecastle in touch but this was their only point in the second half as Brian Lohan and corner-back Dermot O’Rourke in a resolute Wolfe Tones defence left them with few options.

The loss of Eric Flynn, who had always been threatening, was a bodyblow to Clarecastle who now faced the final 10 minutes with 14 men. They got a boost three minutes later when Tyrone Kearse picked up a stray ball and ran through to beat Ray Carley in the Wolfe Tones goal, but this was to be the final score of the game.

Scorers: Wolfe Tones: D. O’Connell 1-1, G. McPhilips 0-3 (0-2 frees), F. Lohan (free), B. O’Connell, B. McPhilips, P. Keyes, D. O’Rourke 0-1 each. Clarecastle: T. Kearse 1-0, D. Quinn 0-4 (frees), S. Moloney, J. Clancy, D. Moloney 0-1 each.

WOLFE TONES: R. Carley; J. Coen, B. Lohan, D. O’Rourke; J. Roughan, F. Lohan, B. Loughnane; G. O’Connell, B. O’Connell; B. McPhilips, P. Keyes, G. McPhilips, R. Hehir, D. O’Rourke, D. O’Connell. Subs: K. McCarthy for J. Roughan (H.T.), M. Regan for R. Hehir (55 mins).

CLARECASTLE: J. Casey; G. Farmer, M. Sheedy, G. Barry; J. O’Connor, C. Plunkett, A. Griffey; J. Clancy, J. Pyne; S. Moloney, S. Sheedy, T. Kerse; D. Quinn, E. Flynn, D. Scanlon. Subs: A. Page for A. Griffey (38 mins), D. Moloney for J. Pyne (38 mins), A. O’Loughlin for S. Moloney (55 mins).

Referee: Ambrose Heagney (Corofin).