Advertisement
John Conlon celebrates Clonlara's victory. Natasha Barton/INPHO

Clare's Clonlara grab late winner to defeat 13-man Kiladangan in dramatic Munster tie

Their first-ever provincial victory sends them into a Munster final.

Clonlara 0-23

Kiladangan 1-19

Stephen Barry reports from FBD Semple Stadium

DIARMUID STRITCH LANDED the winning score as Clonlara produced a stoppage-time turnaround to overhaul 13-man Kiladangan.

The Tipperary champions had fought valiantly after straight red cards shown by referee Ciarรกn Oโ€™Regan to goal-scorer Dan Oโ€™Meara and Seรกn Hayes.

Led by Billy Seymour (0-11), they came from three points behind to lead by two as late as the third of five added minutes.

But Clonlara rallied with the final three points from the Moriartys, Aidan and Cian, before Stritchโ€™s 66th-minute winner. The Clare U20โ€™s replacement had just been announced but the substitution was never made as he intercepted a loose pass to the delight of the Clare champions.

Their first-ever provincial senior victory sends them into a Munster final against either Ballygunner or Na Piarsaigh.

Clonlara began with a significant wind advantage at their backs and after Seymourโ€™s opening point, they made it count. John Conlon certainly didnโ€™t overindulge at the All-Star banquet as the award-winning centre-back displayed his attacking talents with back-to-back points. He would end with another prize, receiving man-of-the-match for his four-point haul.

They moved 0-6 to 0-2 clear but it couldโ€™ve been more. Barry Hogan made a fine save from Ian Galvin and Colm Oโ€™Meara sent a one-handed swipe just wide.

Kiladangan were struggling to retain their puck-outs but they received a major boost in the 15th minute. Andy Loughnane did well to keep Seymourโ€™s sideline cut in play and fed Oโ€™Meara to bounce the sliotar into the net.

Seymour twice levelled from frees before Kiladangan burst two ahead, with points from Declan McGrath and another Seymour free.

Clonlara lifted their game again to clip the next four. Pรกraic Oโ€™Loughlin and Colm Oโ€™Meara were increasingly influential, while Conlonโ€™s brilliant skill allowed overlapping corner-back Michael Clancy to get among the scorers.

Their lead was 0-13 to 1-8 at midway but they had to face into the wind thereafter.

It took Kiladangan just 45 seconds to level. They scored straight from the throw-in again, via Hayes, before Seymourโ€™s intercept point caught out Clonlaraโ€™s short-passing.

dan-omeara-is-shown-a-red-card Kiladangan's Dan O'Meara sees red. Natasha Barton / INPHO Natasha Barton / INPHO / INPHO

Their prospects were dealt a blow, however, when Oโ€™Meara was sent off for jabbing at Dylan McMahon with his hurley. Loughnane and Aidan Moriarty were also yellow-carded after the incident, which allowed McMahon to operate as a spare defender.

That gave Clonlara a vital out ball for short puck-outs although it was Kiladangan who got the next two points from Seymour and McGrath, the midfielder slotting his third point from three attempts.

Cian Moriarty was introduced and within seconds, his first touch brought the Banner men level before Michael Oโ€™Loughlinโ€™s eighth placed ball put them ahead, 0-16 to 1-12.

andy-loughnane-in-action-against-seimi-gully-and-ger-powell Action from today's game in Thurles. Natasha Barton / INPHO Natasha Barton / INPHO / INPHO

It was then Kiladangan were reduced to 13 players. Hayesโ€™ loose swing across the back of Pรกraic Oโ€™Loughlinโ€™s legs was spotted by the linesman, with Oโ€™Regan waving a second red card.

Conlon struck two points to push Clonlaraโ€™s advantage out to three but Kiladangan came with a ferocious push led by Seymour (0-4) and Alan Flynn (0-1).

Clonlara had the legs to outlast them, though, and create their own slice of history.

Scorers for Clonlara: Michael Oโ€™Loughlin 0-9 (0-7f, 0-1 โ€™65), John Conlon 0-4, Colm Oโ€™Meara 0-2, Cian Moriarty 0-2, Michael Clancy 0-1, Pรกraic Oโ€™Loughlin 0-1, Aidan Moriarty 0-1, Colm Galvin 0-1, Diarmuid Stritch 0-1, Ian Galvin 0-1.

Scorers for Kiladangan: Billy Seymour 0-11 (0-7f), Dan Oโ€™Meara 1-0, Declan McGrath 0-3, Tadhg Gallagher 0-1, Alan Flynn 0-1, Paul Flynn 0-1, Bryan McLoughney 0-1, Seรกn Hayes 0-1.

Clonlara

1. Seimi Gully

4. Logan Ryan, 3. Ger Powell, 2. Michael Clancy

7. Pรกraic Oโ€™Loughlin, 6. Dylan McMahon, 5. David Fitzgerald

8. Aidan Moriarty, 9. Jathan McMahon (captain)

12. Colm Galvin, 11. John Conlon, 10. Colm Oโ€™Meara

13. Diarmuid Stritch, 14. Ian Galvin, 15. Michael Oโ€™Loughlin

Subs

  • 17. Cian Moriarty for J McMahon (43)
  • 20. Michael Stritch for C Galvin (51)
  • 21. Daniel Moloney for Oโ€™Meara (57, inj)

Kiladangan

1. Barry Hogan

5. David Sweeney, 3. James Quigley, 4. Fergal Hayes

6. Joe Gallagher, 9. Alan Flynn (captain), 15. Willie Connors

8. Tadhg Gallagher, 7. Declan McGrath

14. Seรกn Hayes, 11. Billy Seymour, 12. Paul Flynn

13. Bryan McLoughney, 10. Dan Oโ€™Meara, 25. Andy Loughnane

Subs

  • 22. Eoghan Sharkey for McLoughney (12, inj)
  • 19. Conor Byrne for Sharkey (48)
  • 17. Darren Moran for McGrath (60+4)

Referee: Ciarรกn Oโ€™Regan (Cork)

Close
3 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel