Date Published: 22-Mar-2011

Clarinbridge 2-18

O’Loughlin Gaels 0-12

STEPHEN GLENNON AT CROKE PARK

THERE must be a breed of Harry Potter’s wand in the ash used in the hurleys out Clarinbridge way, for the Galway county champions’ performances these days are akin to a magic show. Hand into the hat, out comes the rabbit. Now you see them, now you don’t.

Indeed, such was their spellbinding second half display in this thoroughly enjoyable All-Ireland Club senior hurling final at Croke Park on St. Patrick’s Day, that their opponents O’Loughlin Gaels were left bamboozled by the Bridge’s crafty wizardry.

The result: Clarinbridge are the 2011 All-Ireland senior club hurling champions, and justifiable so. While they may have been outgunned and outmuscled in the opening 27 minutes, almost with the wave of a wand, they erased a five-point deficit to enter the break on level terms against a now deflated O’Loughlin Gaels.

It all happened so quickly. Trailing 0-9 to 0-4, the Bridge struggled to secure a stranglehold on the game. Changes were made in an effort to spark a revival before the half-time break and when Alan Kerins was moved from the full-forward berth into the half-forward line/midfield sector – with brother Mark redeployed inside – it produced the necessary sparkle and dazzle to ignite the Bridge challenge.

On 28 minutes, Alan Kerins pointed, before Eoin Forde added another seconds later. Although Alan Geoghegan responded for O’Loughlin Gaels, the Bridge were gaining momentum and two minutes into injury-time, they conjured up the perfect potion to their first half dilemma.

Alan Kerins supplied his brother Mark with a crisp delivery and the latter showed the decisiveness required to pull first time to the net. Broomsticks at the ready, the wizards from the Bridge were now on the move.

Within moments, they attacked once more. Mark Kerins was hauled to the ground, affording them the opportunity to perhaps take the lead for the first time deep into injury-time. Although Kerins powerful dead ball effort was deflected over the bar, that point did ensure the Galway men entered the change of ends on level terms, 1-7 to 0-10, despite having been totally outplayed for most of the opening period.

Truly, it was quite incredible, but better was to come on the resumption and by the end of the third quarter, Clarinbridge had raced into a 1-15 to 0-12 lead. Mark Kerins (three frees), impressive first half substitute Enda Collins (2), Eoin Forde (2) and Alan Kerins all landed some magnificent points, while O’Loughlin Gaels, for their part, were held to two Mark Bergin frees.

Clarinbridge were relentless now and, indeed, already had assumed the air of champions. Full back Brian Burke and centre back David Forde, at the central spine of the defence, were lording it, with the latter showing a great deal of heart in overcoming his early difficulties with Bergin, who shot four points from play in the opening half.

Around Burke and Forde, their defensive cohorts, in particular captain Paul Callanan and Jamie Cannon, were like characters from a science fiction movie – beaming in, seizing possession, and beaming out again. Quite often faster than a speeding bullet.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.