Thornton on fire as Clonaslee claim U-13 ‘C’ hurling title after tough affair with Clonad

Clonad 3-1 Clonaslee 3-6
U-13 Hurling ‘C’ Championship Final

Clonaslee overcame a fast start in the first half from Clonad and battled back to win by five in the Centre of Excellence this morning.

Conor Thornton was their main man as he fired five points and was involved in much of the good things that Clonaslee did.

Clonad got the initial breakthrough after four minutes as Harry Delaney’s great work set up Andy Keane.

His initial shot was blocked but his second was a rocket into the back of the Clonaslee net. It was the dream start for Clonad.

A few minutes later Conor Thornton settled Clonaslee’s nerves with a well hit free and on the tenth minute, he landed a monster 65 to put the minimum between the sides.

Despite both attacks looking dangerous, both defences stood strong and this pressure resulted in few clear cut chances.

Two frees in a row from Thornton put Clonaslee in the lead for the first time.

Delaney, Keane and Jack Bergin were causing serious problems for Clonaslee but Clonad could not reap any reward for their efforts.

Just before half-time Jack Kelly popped up with an incredible solo score under pressure for Clonaslee.

Clonad had a sniff at a goal through Bergin but Clonaslee’s defence stood strong once more as the sides were 1-0 to 0-5 at the interval.

The teams were evenly matched once more at the start of the second before momentum swung Clonaslee’s way after the 30th minute.

Sean Poole won a dirty ball and on the run fired the sliotar into the back of the net. A minute later and Clonaslee had their third goal.

A shot from distance from Jack Kelly found the back of the net as Clonaslee’s lead was now out to eight.

The game was flying now and Clonad went down the other end and Christian Holland was fouled for a close range free.

Andy Keane’s close range effort on goal was saved as Clonaslee packed the goals with bodies.

Clonad crucially did get the next score through a Keane free and with 12 minutes to go they raised their second green flag.

A dangerous ball in from Andy Keane was pulled on by substitute Thomas Tynan as Clonad now had the deficit back to four at the water break.

However, a minute after the water break Clonaslee found the back of the net for the third time.

Another dangerous ball in from Jack Kelly found Dara Farrington and he helped the ball onto Sean Og Thornton who found the back of the net.

To their credit Clonad responded positively once more as Thomas Tynan soloed half the pitch on the counter.

Lennon Conroy saved his initial shot but Harry Delaney swept up the break and picked out Tynan. This time Tynan made no mistake as their was four between the sides once more.

Conor Thormton responded immediately for Clonaslee to stretch the lead to five.

In the closing minutes Clonad pushed and pushed for another goal but Clonaslee held on for an emphatic five point victory after a pulsating final.

SCORERS – Clonad: Andy Keane 1-1, Thomas Tynan 2-0 Clonaslee: Conor Thorton 0-5 (4 frees, 1 65), Jack Kelly 1-1, Sean Poole 1-0, Sean Og Thorton 1-0

CLONAD: Patrick Doogue; Andrew Whelan, Mark Fennell, Dara Costigan; Christian Holland, James Doyle, Adam Langton; Harry Browne, Harry Delaney; Jack Bergin, Andy Keane, Ross Ring; Leon Dawd, Dylan Ryan, Denis Browne. Subs: Tom Tynan for Leon Dawd (26), Charlie Heffernan for Ring (40)

CLONASLEE: Lennon Conroy; Cullen Hyland, Jack Carroll, Conor O’Shea; Senan O’Brien, Sean Poole, Ethan Flangan; Kevin McCann, Conor Thornton; Jack Kelly, Fionn Daly, Shane Kelly; Jack Conroy, Dara Farrington, Sean Og Thornton.

Referee: Anthony Costigan (Rathdowney-Errill)

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