County stars shine as Inagh-Kilnamona make history in Clare

Clare's newest club have won their first county senior title

Aidan McCarthy of Inagh-Kilnamona kicks the ball into the net to score a goal. Pic: ©INPHO/Natasha Barton

Clare SHC final: Inagh-Kilnamona 2-18 Kilmaley 1-14 

In style. After a colossal battle, Inagh-Kilnamona surged down the straight to finally clear the last fence.

Kilnamona won three county titles between 1902-1908 but they amalgamated with Inagh in 2008 to form Clare's newest club. Their county stars saw them home with Aidan McCarthy and Man of the Match Fred Hegarty hitting 1-5 each, while David Fitzgerald scored five points.

The atmosphere before throw-in was simply magnificent. Both teams walked out to a guard of honour from the children of their clubs. The Tulla Pipe Band led the pe-match parade. Even the colour contrast was striking, blue and white versus green and yellow.

Perhaps that charged buildup explains Inagh-Kilnamona’s nervy start, with four missed shots and balls mis-controlled over the sideline. Kilmaley captain Michael O’Malley hit the opening point with a long-range free after five minutes and missed a second one from an identical distance a minute later. Conor Cleary, operating as a target man on the square, cut over a fine sideline early on.

Remarkably, the first point from play took 13 minutes. It was Cleary who laid it on for Sean O’Loughlin to score. That direct approach proved profitable, with the full forward breaking to O’Loughlin once more for a goal midway through the half and another point soon after. Eugene Cullinan’s side needed to get numbers under that break, with centre-back James Hegarty sitting deeper until the turnaround.

And yet, at half-time Inagh would have been content. Despite playing against a stiff breeze, they were just a point behind on a 1-8 to 1-7 scoreline. The moment that settled them was fortunate and opportunistic and almost funny.

🔥 HEGARTY WINS IT FOR INAGH-KILNAMONA!

Fred Hegarty puts the icing on the cake for @inagh_kilnamona and secures the Clare Senior Hurling title with a superb goal in stoppage time

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Eamonn Foudy stood over a long-range free with the Kilmaley sideline bellowing about how long it was taking. A horn in the stand squawked as he stood over it. The free dropped short, McCarthy caught it and kicked the ball into the net. The 2024 All-Ireland winner is keen to rejoin Brian Lohan’s squad for 2027 but this was a fine intervention by a man who will also play in next weekend’s Clare SFC final for Kilmurry Ibrickane.

A nip-and-tuck contest continued to teether on the edge. Foudy made a fine save to deny Cian Moloney and Tom O’Rourke missed the subsequent 65. Inagh took the lead for the first time on the 41 minute mark when the immense Fred Hegarty hit his fourth of the day. O’Malley responded immediately with a free. Entering the final quarter, it was all square.

Suddenly, the favourites took control. Fitzgerald hit three points in the final five minutes. Foudy and James Hegarty made goal-line saves. In the dying minutes, a long ball broke kindly and Hegarty raced in on goal. His low finish ignited wild celebrations in the stand. They will continue for some time yet.

Scorers for Inagh-Kilnamona: A. McCarthy 1-5 (3 frees); F. Hegarty 1-5; D. Fitzgerald 0-5; D. Mescal, S Rynne, N. Mullins 0-1 each.

Scorers for Kilmaley: S. O’Loughlin 1-3 (1 free); M. O’Neill 0-2; M. O’Malley 0-2 (2f);C. Killeen 0-2; T. O’Rourke, B. McNamara, C. Cleary (s/l), D. Keane, T. Barry 0-1 each.

INAGH-KILNAMONA: E. Foudy; K. White, S. Woods, C. Rynne; K. Hehir, J. Hegarty, D. Cullinan; M. Callinan, S. Rynne; D. Fitzgerald, K. Guyler, F. Hegarty; D. Mescall, A. McCarthy, J. Guyler.

Subs: G. Barry for J. Guyler (39); N. Mullins for Mescal (43); J. McCarthy for Cullinan (54); J. Mescall for M. Callinan (56); B. Foudy for White (60).

KILMALEY: B. O’Loughlin; J. Casey, C. McGuane, C. Carmody; A. McGuane, M. O’Malley, D. Keane; T. Barry, S. Kennedy; C. Moloney, M. O’Neill, B. McNamara; T. O’Rourke, C. Cleary, S. O’Loughlin.

Subs: E. Cahill for Kennedy, C. Killeen for O’Rourke (both 43); E. Enright for O’Neill (54); J. Fitzpatrick for Moloney (58).

Referee: N. Malone (Eire Óg).