Niland’s free bails Clarinbridge boys out of trouble

Clarinbridge                        1-11

Kilnadeema-Leitrim        1-11

A hotly-contested minor A hurling final produced late drama before eventually ending in stalemate, with first-time finalists Kilnadeema-Leitrim relieved to have a replay to prepare for  . . . even though substitute Shane Fahy’s late goal almost propelled them to glory before Clarinbridge’s Evan Niland nervelessly levelled matters at Kenny Park.

Fahy’s opportunistic strike arrived five minutes from time and was Kilnadeema-Leitrim’s first score of the second half playing into a stiff wind that had assisted them to an eight-point interval advantage. Six points in an eight-minute spell had put the underdogs in a commanding position, but a failure to convert a number of second half chances, albeit in far from ideal conditions, ultimately cost them the breakthrough win.

The large crowd expected a second half onslaught from Eanna Ryan’s star-studded Clarinbridge side, but they were forced to produce more graft than guile to claw their way back into the contest. Again, it was a substitute’s involvement that really ignited their hopes as Isaac Dehora’s burst led to a 42nd minute penalty that Niland drilled to the net.

From that moment on the scoring momentum was with Clarinbridge as Niland continued to convert the placed ball chances and Mark Kennedy and Andrew Monaghan popped up with vital scores, but when Kilnadeema-Leitrim’s Conor Molloy’s free from halfway dropped short, Fahy was quickest to react to the breaking ball and he whipped a low shot to the bottom right corner.

Clarinbridge were behind again, but had time to regroup, and Niland levelled matters under intense pressure with three minutes remaining. To Kilnadeema-Leitrim’s immense credit, though, they would not give up another clear scoring opportunity, with centre-half back Mark Lawless’ crucial block on Cian Salmon a memorable moment in the frantic endgame.

The impressive county final programme revealed that Clarinbridge have amassed an astonishing 20 underage titles since the turn of the millennium, yet the club were still bidding to end a 17-year wait for glory at this grade. With five players who added All-Ireland minor winners medals recently to their collection of honours forming their backbone, Kilnadeema-Leitrim were aware the odds were against them.

Two of that quintet, Cian Salmon and Evan Niland, had early involvement as the tall centre half forward set up Niland for a classy first score of the game on three minutes. The action was lively despite the wet and blustery conditions, and Kilnadeema-Leitrim’s nerves were settled quickly as Conor Molloy clipped over their first point a minute later.

Full forward Kevin Roche then won a free that captain Jack Kenny drove over, before Kenny himself found some space to engineer a score after Eanna Shalvey’s sideline cut had floated across the forward line. Already Kilnadeema-Leitrim’s defence were proving resolute as corner back Christopher Mahony’s bravely won an aerial battle before shipping a knock, and Clarinbridge’s forwards were struggling to cope with their intensity.

Full report in this week’s Connacht Tribune.