Clane battle past Naas in all-time classic
Clane's matchwinner Callum Durnin celebrates at full time after beating Naas in the Future Ticketing Minor 'A' Hurling Championship Final
Clane defeated Naas in an enthralling contest on a sunny Sunday afternoon in Hawkfield. With a swirling breeze behind them, and aided by Finnian O'Rourke's 23rd-minute goal, Naas were five points clear heading into the interval. Clane, with the elements now favouring them, battled their way back into the match, and Callum Durnin found the net in the 37th minute before converting what proved to be the winning free a minute before the hour mark to secure silverware for the Lilywhites.
Ciarán Kelleher pointed for Naas inside 20 seconds and, in the second minute, Finnian O'Rourke's goal attempt flew wide to the left. Clane's response came after five minutes when, after Aidan Maddock burst through, Callum Durnin was on hand to tuck the ball past Michael Byrne. Durnin was the standout scorer in the opening half for the Lilywhites, while Adam Conway and Aidan Maddock also made notable impressions. The full-forward converted a '65 and three frees in the first half for Sean O'Dea's men.
Naas, with the strong swirling breeze at their backs, pressed on. Tadhg O'Neill landed a fine point from wing-back on 14 minutes, Aodhán Dowling scored an impressive brace from midfield and Finnian O'Rourke shrugged off his marker to point. Shane Walsh's men were now a point ahead after 20 minutes. Their first-half wide count would ultimately come back to haunt them.
Aidan Maddock was foiled in his effort for goal in the 22nd minute, but moments later Sean Higgins created the chance for his wing-forward partner Finnian O'Rourke, who fired the sliotar past Jack Kinsella for Naas's goal. Cuan Óg MacAogáin scored the remainder of Naas's first-half points. Two frees, including a superb effort from distance near the sideline, and an excellent score from play ensured the blue-and-white hoops held a 1-9 to 1-4 lead at the break.
The game was proving to be an excellent contest, featuring fierce battles all over the pitch along with relentless physicality and committed blocking. That trend continued throughout the second half. Callum Durnin pointed from a difficult angle in the opening minute of the restart for Clane before Naas grabbed their second goal. Cuan Óg MacAogáin and Aodhán Dowling chased a trickling sliotar close to goal before MacAogáin forced it over the line. Naas were now seven points ahead after 33 minutes. Despite that advantage, there was no indication the contest was over, and Clane soon proved why.
Naas's remaining three second-half points came from full-forward Cuan Óg MacAogáin, who struck a brace of frees and a point from a tight angle by the 52nd minute. Eoghan Lyons provided the response to the Naas goal on 34 minutes, while Adam Conway also pointed for Clane before Jack Doran's long delivery into the goalmouth was gathered by Callum Durnin, who bundled the sliotar into the net in the 37th minute.
Points from Cian Muldoon and Barry Delaney, the latter from midfield, followed the goal, before Callum Durnin added another from play for the Lilywhites. Adam Conway then produced a tremendous score from over his shoulder from 45 metres in the 57th minute. Jack O'Dea, from a difficult angle on the run, levelled the game moments later before Callum Durnin stepped up to convert the winning free a minute before added time. Cue scenes of pure, unfiltered joy among the Clane players, management and supporters at the final whistle as they edged an unforgettable championship decider.
Jack Kinsella; Devan O'Neill, Dylan McBride, Art Ormsby; Rory Óg Maguire, Adam Corbett, Eoghan Little; Jack Doran, Aidan Maddock; Eoghan Lyons 0-1, Jack O'Dea 0-1, Barry Delaney 0-1; Adam Conway 0-2, Callum Durnin 2-7 (0-4 frees, 0-1 '65), Cian Muldoon 0-1.
Subs: Oscar Heffernan for Jack Doran (temporary blood substitution/30 mins); Oscar Heffernan for Cian Muldoon (54).
Michael Byrne; Conor Dunphy, Cathan Griffin, Senan Boran; Harry Feely, Colin Parker, Tadhg O'Neill 0-1; Aodhán Dowling 0-2, Matthew McCarthy; Sean Higgins, Ciarán Kelleher 0-2, Finnian O'Rourke 1-1; Luca McDonnell, Cuan Óg MacAogáin 1-6 (0-4 frees), Ronan Lenehan.
Subs: Odhrán Browne for Lenehan (half-time), Tom Hennessy for McDonnell (49), Evan Palmer for Kelleher (60).
Fergus Devereux.
