Galway hurling star leads Clarinbridge to U20 Championshlip glory
A full time downpour on Wednesday evening in Duggan Park didn’t dampen Clarinbridge’s date with destiny as they were crowned under-20A hurling champions for the first time since 2023. after defeating Castlegar 0-16 to 0-11.
Eleven points from captain and man of the match Aaron Niland, including six from play, was the main difference but this was as much a workmanlike performance from Niall Armstrong’s charges.
Clarinbridge upped their intensity for this replay with defenders Kian McLoughlin, Sean Murphy, Michael Fallon and midfielder Darragh Counihan also excelling as they pressurised their opponents’ inside line before creating space around the middle.
Castlegar stayed in touch throughout but couldn’t find the goal to turn the tide. Noah Manogue did hit the net on four minutes but that was disallowed for a square ball.
Paddy Duggan’s charges also weren’t found wanting in their industry but spent most of the contest chasing proceedings and struggled with puckouts. Centre back Gearóid King was their top player followed closely by Manogue.
Castlegar, seeking a first title since 2000, started brightly when Rhys Creaven slotted over a free. Clarinbridge immediately equalised as Chris Callanan’s long drive landed in Niland’s claw before he split the posts.
It was the only time the teams shared parity but also turned on Manogue’s disallowed goal, after Cian Corcoran’s sideline cut into the square. Referee Shane Hynes allowed both teams to play, mainly leaving it to high challenges and throw balls for fouls.
When McLoughlin fired over a point from distance on five minutes, it began a maroon wave. Niland added a free before Sean Flynn, from an acute left angle, left Castlegar just 0-3 to 0-2 in arrears on 12 minutes.
But that margin stretched to five by 21 minutes as Niland converted two from play while Michael Coen and Matthew Cox also found the target.
Castlegar then enjoyed their best spell with four of the next five points from Creaven (2), Oisin O’Connell and Charlie Healy, against one from Niland, to trail by just two. However, a long range strike from Murphy, and two more for Niland made it 0-11 to 0-6 at half-time.
The green and white came out determined upon the restart and Corcoran’s delivery nearly allowed Manogue the breakthrough. He did get the point, but Clarinbridge’s defensive wall allowed no more.
Niland hit back with a point before Creaven’s free left it 0-12 to 0-8 on 40 minutes.
Clarinbridge started moving out of sight with Niland and Cillian Horan putting six between them entering the final 10 minutes. Manogue and Creaven responded with two scores by 51 minutes, but they only added one more.
That came from O’Connell with three minutes remaining after Niland registered his sixth from play. Castlegar laid siege but sliotars were returned out the field like a tennis volley.
When the final whistle sounded, Clarinbridge were singing in the rain, with a fourth title since 2018. With their senior dreams washed away by Tommy Larkins four days earlier, this was the gold at the end of their 2026 rainbow, leaving their young leaders in good spirits.
Clarinbridge: C Callanan; R Murphy, K McLoughlin (0-1), S Murphy (0-1); R Lydon, M Fallon, M Cox (0-1); D Counihan, M Coen (0-1); S Kennedy, C Horan (0-1), A Niland (0-11, 5f); D Kearney, C Donoghue, B O’Dwyer.
Subs used: N Donoghue for Kearney (52), D Martyn for Kennedy (59), C Farrell for Horan (60), E Hillary for O’Dwyer (65), P Carr for Coen (65).
Castlegar; O O’Connell (0-2, 2f); C Roche, P Mackey, S Mulhare; C McDonagh, G King, P Bradbury; C Healy (0-1), S Moran; N Manogue (0-2), C Corcoran, S Flynn (0-1); N Kilgannon, M Bradbury, R Creaven (0-5, 4f, 1’65).
Subs used: R Rock for Mulhare (40), C McLaughlin for Kilgannon (47), D McLaughlin for M Bradbury (58), B O’Brien for Corcoran (63).
Referee: S Hynes