Clifford inspires Newtown

NEWTOWNSHANDRUM came from two goals down at half time to fashion a thrilling 1-19 to 1-16 victory over Duhallow to win the Co. U21AHC final at Páirc Ui Rinn on Saturday night.

Ryan Clifford was the Newtown hero as he racked up a fine tally of ten points to dethrone the reigning champions.

Clifford had four points by the 10th minute before the game took a dramatic turn when Duhallow’s Benji Sheehy was given a straight red card for a reckless pull on the Newtown starlet.

It was Duhallow who upped the ante from there to the break though and a goal by Liam Daly helped the them into an 1-11 to 0-8 half time lead.

Newtown regrouped and scored six points in a row, four from Clifford, to tie the game at the three quarter stage.

The game took another twist in the 50th minute when Darren Lane rattled the Duhallow net and put them three points to the good and they held out for their fourth title since 2000.

Kilbrittain captured the Co IHC title after a 1-12 to 0-11 points win over Ballygarvan at Páirc Ui Chaoimh yesterday. A goal by Cork minor Jamie Wall three minutes from time proved the decisive score.

With the sides locked together at 0-10 each, Wall floated a high ball goalwards which dipped into the Ballygarvan net with a hint of a deflection off the hurley of their full-back.

That score gave them a three point cushion and the West Cork side drove on from there to win their first title in the grade since 1995 much to the delight of their huge following.

Clyda Rovers are back in the Evening Echo Premier IFC final after a 0-13 points to 1-8 win over St. Vincent’s under lights at Páirc Ui Rinn on Saturday.

Vincent’s looked strong in the opening quarter as points from Tommy Hornibrook and another from Patrick O’Sullivan had them two clear by the 10th minute.

But some needless fouling proved costly as Clyda took over and James Murphy punished them with some sweet free conversions and four in a row by him had them in front 0-7 to 0-6 ahead at the break.

A fifth free from Murphy, followed by Conor O’Sullivan’s third from play, put daylight between the sides as they led 0-11 to 0-6 entering the final quarter.

JP Murphy blasted a penalty wide in the 48th minute for the city side and even though Patrick O’Sullivan converted from the spot after that, it was mere consolation and Clyda play Newcestown in next weekend’s final.