Mooncoin 1-11
Clara 2-7

The Clara men were Mooncoin’s opponents in Ballyhale on Sunday in the 4th round of games in this year’s Joe Coogan Auctioneer’s Intermediate League/Championship. Both teams knew that victory would put them right in the hunt for a place in the latter stages of the league and ensure that they would qualify for the ¼ finals of the championship.

Clara played with the aid of the wind in the first half with Mark and Robert Shorthall getting some early scores. Then the Mooncoin attack clicked into gear when good combination work between Patrick Kinsella and Keith Kirwin ended up with Diarmuid Mackey finishing the ball to the net (1-1) M (0-2) C. Mooncoin’s point was scored by Jamie McGrath. The teams traded scores for the rest of the half. Diarmuid Mackey (3fs), Gerry Kirwin and Niall Mackey were responsible for Mooncoin’s points while Neal Prendergast (1f), Gerry Byrne (1f) and Conor Phelan replying for Clara. This left the half time score Mooncoin 1-7 Clara 0-6.
Diarmuid Mackey added another free after the interval to stretch the lead to 5 points. Amazingly Mooncoin would not score for the next 13 minutes as Clara clawed their way back into the game. This was instigated by a goal from Shane Prendergast with about 10 minutes gone (1-8) (1-6). Diarmuid Mackey converted another free but Conor Phelan crashed the ball to the Mooncoin net with about 10 minutes left to leave the game on knife-edge (Mooncoin 1-9 Clara 2-6).

It was now time to stand up and be counted. Diarmuid Mackey as is so often the case did so by pushing Mooncoin into the lead once more with another free. However county panellist Austin Murphy who had been anonymous for most of the game converted a placed ball right on full time to leave the sides level at M(1-10) C(2-7). Referee Pascal Connolly still had a few minutes of injury time to play. It was Mooncoin’s Thomas O’Hanlon who made the most of these extra few minutes as he converted a late opportunity for the Suirsiders to edge their noses in front at the final whistle.

On the day Mooncoin were marginally the better side while Clara’s form has dipped somewhat. This could be due to injuries to key players who were missing for this game. Thomas O’Hanlon was again worth his weight in gold and is developing into a good hurler. Noel Delahunty and Ollie Dunphy were also good in their defensive duties. Diarmuid Mackey lacked meaningful assistance although Paddy Kinsella Jamie McGrath and Gerry Kirwin worked their socks off. Clara has good performances from David Langton, Pauric Brennan, while the Phelan brothers, John and Brian, hurled well in patches. The forwards only managed 7 point in 1 hour of hurling, which is not good enough at this level. However it was no fault of Conor Phelan who did well for the hour while in the first half the Shorthall’s, Mark and Robert and Neal Prendergast were willing to put their shoulder to the wheel.

Scorers
Mooncoin: D. Mackey (1-7 6fs + 165); J. McGrath, G. Kirwin, N. Mackey;
T O’Hanlon (0-1 each)
Clara: C. Phelan (1-1); S. Prendergast (1-0); N. Prendergast (0-2); M. Shorthall,
R. Shorthall (0-1) G. Byrne, A. Murphy (0-1f)

Teams
Mooncoin: D. O’Brien; N. Delahunty; R. Mackey; A. Lennon; O. Dunphy;
Ed. Mackey; T O’Hanlon; E. Hennebry; N. Mackey; E. Mackey; J. McGrath;
G. Kirwin; K. Kirwin; D. Mackey; P. Kinsella Subs: S. Wall for K. Kirwin;
C. Dunphy for P. Kinsella; A. Walsh for A. Lennon.
Clara: M. Barcoe; D. Nolan; J. Phelan; P. Brennan; D. Langton; D. Prendergast;
B. Phelan; S. Prendergast; T.J. Fitzgerald; C. Phelan; N. Prendergast; A. Murphy;
M. Shorthall; G. Byrne; R. Shorthall; Subs G. Prendergast for M. Shorthall; L. Ryan for G. Byrne.

Referee: P.Connolly (Ballyhale)