Clarinbridge boys easily retain Minor A title

KILNADEEMA/LEITRIM 0-9

ONE word that instantly springs to mind following this encounter and that is domination. Not just a dominating performance in this game but devastating and sweeping displays from this young Clarinbridge side throughout their entire minor championship campaign.

Some of the performances from Eanna Ryan’s outfit this year have been nothing short of breathtaking in terms of the style of hurling and their ferocious work-rate in defence. Pair both these qualities together and add in the considerable prodigiousness talent at their disposal, and you have a serious outfit on your hands.

Clarinbridge’s smallest winning margin throughout the year was ten points. It is astounding that they have performed that much better than their nearest competitors on a consistent basis for such a young outfit.

For Kilnadeema/Leitrim, the game was more heartache following a defeat from the same opposition in last year’s final. To their credit, they never gave up and once again took the opportunity to highlight the vast work that has been done at all underage levels at the club. Kilnadeema/Leitrim certainly look to have a bright future with some serious talent coming through their ranks.

But this day would be all about the ‘Bridge again, a day which saw them take home the Fr. Griffin Cup for the fourth time in the club’s history.

The champions began the final at a frantic pace. They hit the opposition for 1-2 in the opening five minutes and the signs were already looking ominous for Kilnadeema/Leitrim. The two points came from Mark Kennedy and the energetic Patrick Foley. The goal came from the stick of Philip Brennan after he caught a pass from Andrew Monaghan and rifled an unstoppable shot past Evan Dowling.

Conor Molloy eventually stopped the rot for his side after finding himself in space, before he and Evan Niland exchanged frees to leave the gap at four points after the opening ten minutes.

However, this would be as close as the gap would get for the remainder of the game. Clarinbridge hit their opponents for four unanswered points from Brennan, Cian Salmon, Monaghan and Niland.

Dylan Towolowi finally brought an end to his side’s 18 minute scoring drought after some tidy play by the lively Mikey Lynch, but this was cancelled out by substitute Isaac DeHora seconds later with his very first touch. This score was added too by marksman Niland after some neat link-up play between himself and Salmon to leave the scoreline at 1-9 to 0-3 at half-time.

Kilnadeema/Leitrim had produced memorable comebacks in the past, most notably in the first semi-final game against Castlegar where they overcame an eight point half-time deficit to fight back and force the game to a replay, and they did emerge from the dressing room with a renewed fire in their belly.

Full report in this week's Connacht Tribune.