Conor O’Shea’s goal pivotal as Clara regain Kilkenny title

Clara 2-12 O’Loughlin Gaels 1-13

A gritty performance helped Clara return to the Kilkenny senior hurling throne.

Conor O’Shea’s second-half goal had a big say as Clara earned their second senior county title in three years (and wrapped up a league and championship double) at Nowlan Park yesterday.

O’Shea’s strike proved decisive as Clara broke the stalemate and raced ahead of O’Loughlin Gaels inside four second-half minutes. The corner-forward showed great presence to pounce after Lester Ryan’s long ball spilled loose, O’Shea finishing past Stephen Murphy to make it 2-10 to 1-10.

The blocks

That speedy start was nothing new to Clara, who had been as fast out of the blocks from the throw-in. The game started in a tight fashion but by the 10th minute Clara were five points in front, 1-3 to 0-1, the bulk of their lead coming from Ciarán Prendergast’s sixth-minute goal.

The 2013 champions would extend their lead by another point but O’Loughlin’s, searching for their first county crown since 2010, weren’t about to fold. By the end of the first quarter they had restored parity, Danny Loughnane’s 12th-minute goal adding to a string of Mark Bergin points. Bergin had a big first half for O’Loughlin’s, scoring eight of their nine points in the opening 30 minutes. There was nothing between the sides as they went in all-square at the interval, 1-9 to 1-9.

The sides traded the opening points of the new half, but the stalemate was decisively broken when O’Shea struck for his goal within minutes of the restart.

It was a big score for the winners, especially as Clara also had the benefit of the breeze at their backs. That only served to make things harder for O’Loughlin’s, but they rose to the challenge.

Fighting hard, they refused to let Clara exert full dominance on the game. Martin Comerford and Sammy Johnson led the charge, hitting back with minor scores to make it a one-point game, but Clara weren’t about to let the title slip. A vital free from captain Keith Hogan did the trick, Hogan splitting the posts from long range to leave his side 2-12 to 1-12 clear with seven minutes remaining.

CLARA: K Phelan; D Nolan, S O'Shea, T Ryan; N Prendergast, S Prendergast, D Langton (0-1); Lester Ryan (0-1), J Langton; C O'Shea (1-2), K Hogan (0-3, 0-2 frees), Liam Ryan (0-4); J Byrne, C Bolger (0-1), C Prendergast (1-0). Sub: J Murphy for C Prendergast (60 mins).

O'LOUGHLIN GAELS: S Murphy (0-1, free); A Forristal, A Kearns, E Kearns; H Lawlor, B Hogan, P Deegan; M Bergin (0-8, 0-7 frees), S Mahony; D Burke (0-1), E Grant, M Comerford (0-1); S Johnson (0-1), D Loughnane (1-0), M Kelly. Subs: J Nolan (0-1) for Mahony (31 mins), A O'Brien for Lawlor (31 mins), C Bergin for Kelly (47 mins), D O'Connor for Grant ( 53 mins).

Referee: Peter Burke (Emeralds, Kilkenny).