Aaron Niland leads Clarinbridge to victory over Oranmore Maree in U20 semi-final
CLARINBRIDGE booked their place in the Galway U20 Hurling Championship final after holding off a late Oranmore Maree fightback to secure a 2-17 to 0-19 victory at Duggan Park on Thursday evening.
Aaron Niland, who was named among the nominees for his first PwC All-Star award earlier in the week, proved the difference between the sides as he delivered a superb individual performance, finishing with 0-13 and providing the scoring threat that kept Clarinbridge in control throughout.
Conditions made it difficult for both teams to find their rhythm in the opening exchanges, with the sides trading scores during a tight opening quarter. Niland raised three flags ands Galway minor hurlers Michael Coen and Cathal Donoghue also found the target to help Clarinbridge establish a 0-5 to 0-3 lead.
Oranmore Maree remained within touching distance through the efforts of Michael Leahy, Tiernan Grealish and Colm Burke, whose second free of the evening reduced the deficit to a single score after 16 minutes.
However, the men in maroon and white began to make their attacking possession count. Niland continued to trouble the Oranmore Maree defence before turning provider for the game's opening goal. The forward laid the sliotar into the path of Coen, who drove a low finish beyond goalkeeper Harry Keady to extend the advantage.
Niland added his fifth score of the half shortly afterwards as Niall Armstrong's side moved 1-7 to 0-4 clear after 21 minutes.
Oranmore Maree responded impressively, with Burke proving accurate from placed balls. Leahy and Ryan Holland also found the target to help the defending champions reduce the deficit to three, leaving Clarinbridge with a 1-8 to 0-8 advantage at the break.
Leahy reduced the deficit further after the restart, but Clarinbridge struck a decisive blow when Coen grabbed his second goal of the evening.
Cathal Donoghue and Darragh Counihan combined in the build-up before Coen once again found the net, restoring a commanding cushion for the Bridge.
Gus Lohan, captain of the Galway minor hurling team, and Leahy continued to keep Oranmore in contention, but Niland took charge of the contest with three consecutive points to push Clarinbridge 2-12 to 0-11 ahead after 42 minutes.
Oranmore refused to surrender, with Lohan, Burke and Jake Keady keeping the scoreboard moving. However, despite reducing the deficit to 2-15 to 0-15 by the 52nd minute, the reigning champions struggled to build sustained momentum as Niland and Darragh Kearney kept Clarinbridge in control.
The tension increased in the closing stages as Oranmore threw everything at their neighbours. Scores from Colm Burke, Joey Cullinane and Liam Burke brought the deficit down to just two deep into injury time.
But Niland held his nerve when it mattered most, registering twice in the closing stages to seal Clarinbridge's place in the final and ensure they survived a determined Oranmore Maree fightback. Michael Fallon limped off injured for Clarinbridge and they will hope to have him available this weekend for their SHC quarter-final against Gort.
Darragh Counihan, Cathal Donoghue, Coen, and Niland all impressed for the winners. Gus Lohan, Michael Leahy and Jake Keady were central in Oranmore Maree almost pulling off a result.
CLARINBRIDGE: C Callanan; K McLoughlin, M Fallon, C Farrell; M Cox, D Counihan, R Lydon; R Murphy, C Donoghue (0-1); S Kennedy, D Kearney (0-1), Aaron Niland (0-13, 0-9f); M Coen (2-1), B O’Dwyer (0-1), N Donoghue. SUBS: C Horan for N Donoghue (41), D Martyn for Farrell (51), P Carr for Lydon (57), E Hiliary for Fallon (60, injury), Adam Niland for O’Dwyer (65)
ORANMORE MAREE: H Keady; T Keane, C Sweeney, S Ruane; T Grealish (0-1), T Blake, C Quinlan; R Holland (0-1), G Lohan (0-3); M Furey, C Burke (0-7, 0-6f, 0-165), J Keady (0-1); M Leahy (0-4), L Burke (0-1), C Costello. SUBS: J Cullinane (0-1) for Holland (33), J Egan for M Furey (47).
REFEREE: Conor Quinlan