Coughlan’s late winner ends Clashmore’s 141-year wait for senior hurling

Waterford's Tadhg de Burca shone for Clashmore Kinsalebeg.

Cappoquin Logistics Waterford Premier IHC final: 

Clashmore Kinsalebeg 2-16 (22) Brickey Rangers 0-20 (20) 

Clashmore Kinsalebeg will play senior hurling for the first time in their history after substitute Luke Coughlan’s late goal sealed a thrilling victory at Fraher Field.

Waterford duo Brian Lynch and Tadhg De Burca produced outstanding displays as Roger Ryan’s men reached senior level for the first time in the club’s 141-year history.

The sides were level eight times, including at half-time.

Darragh Ryan and Tom O’Connell (2) traded early frees before Lynch opened his account. Cormac O’Grady and Sean Lennon pushed Brickey Rangers ahead, but two long-range De Burca frees made it 0-4 apiece after 15 minutes.

Conor Keane and O’Grady restored the Brickeys’ advantage before Josh Fitzgerald replied. O’Connell and Lynch exchanged excellent scores, while Cormac Deevy also found the target.

Deevy and O’Connell gave Brickeys a three-point cushion approaching the break, but Clashmore struck level in added time. Paul O’Connor’s effort rebounded off the post and Ronan Fitzgerald tapped home at the far post, leaving it 0-10 to 1-7.

Ed O’Halloran edged Clashmore ahead after the restart, but O’Grady levelled before Brickeys enjoyed their best spell. Peter Cummins and O’Connell helped them establish a two-point lead by the 40th minute.

Deevy’s third point eventually stretched the advantage, but Clashmore responded. Shane Coughlan pointed before Josh Fitzgerald produced the score of the day from the left sideline, and Aidan Trihy levelled matters again on 50 minutes.

O’Connell restored Brickeys’ lead before De Burca made a crucial defensive intervention to deny Cormac Curran a certain goal. Lynch’s fourth point then brought Clashmore level once more.

The decisive moment arrived in the 56th minute. O’Connor sent a long delivery forward and substitute Luke Coughlan reacted quickest, pulling along the ground into the bottom-left corner to spark delirium among the red and green support.

Darragh O’Grady and O’Connell reduced the deficit as Brickey Rangers pushed desperately for a response, but De Burca landed Clashmore’s final point to complete a historic triumph.

Premier intermediate champions, a place in Munster and, most importantly, senior hurling for the first time in their history. On one of Clashmore Kinsalebeg’s greatest days, it was richly deserved.

Scorers for Clashmore Kinsalebeg: Brian Lynch (0-4); Ronan Fitzgerald and Luke Coughlan (1-0 each); Darragh Ryan and Tadhg De Burca (0-3; 0-3f each); Josh Fitzgerald (0-2); Ed O’Halloran, Brian O’Halloran, Aidan Trihy and Shane Coughlan (0-1 each) 

Scorers for Brickey Rangers: Tom O’Connell (0-9; 0-7f); Cormac O’Grady and Cormac Deevy (0-3 each); Sean Lennon, Conor Keane, Cathal Curran, Peter Cummins and Darragh O’Grady (0-1 each) 

CLASHMORE KINSALEBEG: K Moloney; D O’Mahony, C Ryan, C Bourke; C O’Keeffe, T De Burca, B Lynch; E O’Halloran, A Trihy; D Ryan, B O’Halloran, S Fitzgerald; P O’Connor, J Fitzgerald, R Fitzgerald.

Subs: S Coughlan for C O’Keeffe (43); L Coughlan for R Fitzgerald (53) 

BRICKEY RANGERS: J Kiely; E McGrath, O Keevers, C Browne; N Browne, C Ryan, D Colleran; C O’Grady, S Lennon; C Whelan, T O’Connell, C Curran; S Ronayne, C Deevy, Cr Keane.

Subs: M Cummins for D Colleran (HT); P Cummins for S Ronayne (33); C Curran for C O’Grady (50); D O’Grady for M Cummins (51); B Cullinan for O Keevers (56) 

Referee: Eoin Morrissey (Erin’s Own)