Classy Clarinbridge return to top of club hurling in Galway

Date Published: {J}

Clarinbridge 0-18

Loughrea 0-15

(after extra-time)

STEPHEN GLENNON

AT KENNY PARK

UNBRIDLED scenes of joy engulfed Kenny Park after a gutsy Clarinbridge outfit claimed only the club’s second ever county senior hurling championship title following a pulsating – if not epic – victory over Loughrea after extra-time on Sunday.

Exciting this most definitely was, as the Bridge was forced to hit three late points in the last two minutes plus of normal time to preserve their championship aspirations and deny their opponents Loughrea what was almost a certain victory.

Indeed, given that scores were as rare as hen’s teeth in the opening 58 minutes, the resilience Micheál Donoghue’s charges showed has to be lauded. With the scoreline reading 0-13 to 0-10 in Loughrea’s favour, Clarinbridge dug deep to conjure up those three precious points.

First, Alan Kerins – who, for all intent and purpose, turned the game on its head when moved into midfield in the final quarter – initiated a move involving his brother Mark and Paul Coen, which led to Shane Burke being fouled by Loughrea defender Tom Regan. Coen, who had taken over the free-taking duties from an erratic Mark Kerins, subsequently converted the 58th minute placed ball opportunity.

Two minutes later, on the stroke of full time, Coen struck over a ’65 to narrow the deficit to just one and all of a sudden Clarinbridge, having eye-balled defeat moments earlier, were back in the hunt. They just required one more chance. And they got it.

From a Michael Donoghue sideline cut in the second minute of injury-time, Mark Kerins rose high on the edge of the Loughrea square and as he went to turn he was held by an outstretched Loughrea arm. Free in, Coen tallied his third consecutive point to secure the Bridge a reprieve.

Was it deserved? The answer would have to be ‘yes’, for while Loughrea dominated for large passages of the proceedings, Clarinbridge displayed unshakable determination and grit to stay the course in the belief that circumstances would eventually turn in their favour. And it finally did in extra-time.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.