By Paul Rouse
In a thrilling Junior Hurling semi final in Kilcormac last Sunday, Clara withstood a late Ballyskenagh challenge to emerge fortunate one point victors. Clara had led for most of this absorbing match, thanks largely to the opportunism of their two comer forwards Ronan Scully and Eamonn Egan, who shared four goals and three points between them, yet it still required a brilliant Pat Lowry save, two minutes from the end to deny Ballyskenagh victory.
Indeed even after Lowry's save, Ballyskenagh had further chances to force at least a draw, but a number of misses - particularly one by Liam O'Toole from a 25 yards free, allowed Clara to progress, even though they recorded five fewer scores than their opponents.
It was Clara, playing with the advantage of a strong breeze in the first half, who enjoyed the perfect start when Ronan Scully whipped a shot to the net from twenty one yards from a David Gavin pass. John Dooley opened Ballyskenagh's account with a point from thirty yards, before Aidan Flynn scored another goal for Clara when shooting to the top of the net giving Tom O'Toole no chance.
Flynn, who excelled in the first half for Clara, and Daragh Scully both scored points for Clara, cancelling out similar efforts from Liam O'Toole and Ollie Ryan for Ballyskenagh leaving Clara 2-2 to 0-3 ahead after 15 minutes. Clara, however, were not to score again in the half, despite their wind advantage allowing Ballyskenagh to dominate the remainder of the half. John Ormond was set up twice by Philip and Padraig McLoughlin to score 1-1 and the McLoughlins each scored points of their own. At the interval Ballyskenagh had managed to reverse the deficit to lead by one point.
Within three minutes of the restart, Ballyskenagh had increased their lead to six points with two Liam O'Toole frees and a goal from Philip McLoughlin. At this stage, defeat for Clara seemed the most likely result, yet in the space of five minutes the game was turned on its head when Eamonn Egan scored 2-1 and his fellow comer forward Ronan Scully scored 1-1 - the only reply from Ballyskenagh being a Philip McLoughlin point leaving Clara 5-4 to 2-8 in front.
For the remainder of the game Ball yskenagh laid siege to the Clara goal. Philip McLoughlin, Liam O'Toole and DonaI Franks all pointed to leave just two points between the teams. Ronan Scully restored Clara to a three point lead with an excellent point before Liam O 'Toole scored his fifth point of the match for Ballyskenagh.
With the game almost over, Pat Lowry made his point blank save from Ollie Ryan when deflecting Ryan's shot over the bar. Eventually this save proved to be the match winner, with Ballyskenagh unable to get the vital equalising point leaving Clara 5-5 to 2-13 winners.
For Clara, Pat Lowry had a fine hour in goal and he was well protected in defence by David Reynolds, David Gavin and Dearbhall Dolan. James Stewart and William Flynn enjoyed the best of the midfield exchanges while Aiden Flynn, Eamonn Egan and Ronan Scully posed most threat in attack.
For the losers Donal Franks and Kevin Doughan in defence, Liam O 'Toole in midfield, and John Dooley, Philip McLoughlin and Padraig McLoughlin in attack all performed with distinction.
Teams and Scorers
CLARA: Pat Lowry; Michael Gavin, David Reynolds, Seamus Doyle; Declan Cushen,
David Gavin, Dearbhall Dolan; James Stewart, William Flynn; Niall Duigan, Darragh
Scully (0-1), Aiden Flynn (1-1); Eamon Egan (2-1), Colm Scanlon, Ronan Scully
(2-2).
BALLYSKENAGH: Tom O 'Toole; Colm Lawlor, Paddy Joe McLoughlin, Keith Russell; Donal Franks (0-1), Denis Doughan, Kevin Franks; Liam O'Toole (0-5), Ollie Ryan (0-2); Peter Murphy, John Dooley, Donal Golden; Philip McLoughlin (1-3), John Ormond (1- 1), Padraig McLoughlin (0-1).
Referee - Dan Lawless.
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