This article is from page 67 of the 2011-10-04 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 67 JPG
Tubber 0-11 – Crusheen 0-06 at Cusack Park, Ennis
A BETTER balanced and physically stronger Tubber side overcame a spirited challenge from Crusheen’s third string side to secure the Junior B hurling league title. Both sides who lost at the semi final stage of the championship met in Corofin on Saturday with Tubber strongly fancied to take the laurels.
Crusheen started without the services of three key players Conor O Brien, Paul O Donnell and Keith Lenihan due to injury as Padraic O Malley opened the scoring in the 3rd minute. Declan Ryan who ended the game with six points, two from play opened Tubber’s account after five minutes. Over the course of the hour each score was hard won with Tubber benefitting from continuous Crusheen fouling and poor shot selection.
Niall Kearney and Edward Fogarty (free) responded for Crusheen as Ryan did likewise for Tubber. Ger Brohan and Damian Quinn was also on target with a point each to leave the winners (0-7) to (0-5) ahead at the break. Crusheen brought on two substitutes for the second half restart and Tubber were most fortunate not to concede at least one goal in the opening five minutes of the new half as Crusheen had three clear goal opportunities through the efforts of Ni- all Kearney, Alan Griffin and Philip O Donnell but spurned each chance.
Tubber rallied with points from Ryan and Paddy O Connor as Crusheen despite ample possession could not create scores thanks to a strong Tubber rearguard. Evan O Donoghue and Ryan rounded off the winners scoring as Niall Griffin managed a late consolation point for Crusheen whose third team has been promoted in the junior b league in the last two years. Tubber, will for their successful efforts be plying their trade in the junior A league next season.
Best for Tubber were Cathal O Grady, Oliver Taaffe, Francis McCormack, Mark Waters, Shane Mc- Mahon, Micheal Kelly, Declan Ryan, Ger Brohan and Damian Quinn. Crusheen had strong displays from the excellent Darren O Connor at corner back, John Hanrahan, Emmet O Connor, Ethan O Donnell, Edward Fogarty, Niall Griffin and Youen Horner.
After the game Irish officer of clare county board Tom Burke presented the Junior B league hurling cup to Tubber captain Cyril Cunningham.
Tubber
Cathal OGrady, Dermot Taaffe, Oliver Taaffe, Mark
Waters, Micheal Kelly, Shane McMahon, Kevin Conroy, Francis McCormack, Cyril Cunningham, Declan Ryan (0-6), David Fogarty, Damian Quinn (0-1), Ger Brohan (0-2), David Conroy, Nigel Naughton.
Subs
Paddy OConnor (0-1) for Conroy, Evan O Donoghue (0-1) for Nigel Naughton.
Crusheen
John Hanrahan, Darren OConnor, Emmet O Connor, Eoin Ryan, Enda OBrien, Damian Murphy, Edward Fogarty (0-2), Ethan ODonnell, Philip O Donnell, Padraic OMalley (0-1), Niall Griffin (0-1), Alan Griffin, Niall Kearney (0-1), SeanWeir (0-1), Brendan Keehan.
Subs
Youen Horner for Alan Griffin, Paul O Donnell for Keehan, Raymond Hassett for Murphy, Damian OConnor for Kearney Anthony Rodgers for OBrien.
Referee
John Dolan (Clarecastle)