No danger of a 'Bridge collapse

By NOEL CARNEY Clarinbridge ... 0-18 Loughrea ..0-15 A MAGNIFICENT achievement! Heartiest congratulations to a great Clarinbridge team, and to their [private]quiet-spoken but determined, highly accomplished and widely respected manager Micheál Donoghue whose County Cup record now reads: two titles, captained the first winning team (2001) and was team manager of last Sunday's heroes, after a well-contested and very exciting replay at Kenny Park, Athenry. As in the drawn game at Pearse Stadium, more than 10,000 witnessed the spectacle, creating a marvellous atmosphere. Despite a tricky crossfield wind, which made shooting difficult, it was a great game, full of passion, manly endeavour and skill, hugely enjoyable; a credit to Galway Hurling Board, and particularly to the two competing teams. Sadly for the loyal followers of a gallant Loughrea team, they're now too used to losing County finals, but they'll be remembered with respect for the mighty effort they put in this year, especially for having the ambition and drive to take the great Portumna champion team again, this time knocking them out, in a replay. After the more recent drawn game, in the final, it was felt that Clarinbridge had lost their chance; that Loughrea would power on to the title in the replay, and indeed it appeared to working out like that when Loughrea, or 'The Town' as they're known, led by three points, 0-13 to 0-10, with only four minutes to go in â€Ëœnormal' time. But Clarinbridge responded thrillingly when the need was greatest; they held their nerve, they continued to play methodical hurling, they forced the frees to be conceded, and the excellent Paul Coen, taking over as the dead-ball specialist from Mark Kerins, became a parish hero for all time with two frees and a 65. It was brilliant shooting under pressure; that's when great freetakers really show what they're made of, and it was nearly inevitable, so closely matched were these teams, that the winning of the Tom Callanan Memorial Cup went to extra-time. The 'Bridge held firm from there to the end, possibly a little fitter, certainly less exposed to the rigours of tough, stamina-sapping big days late the year, like Loughrea have gone through so often in the past seven-to-eight years. From 0-13 apiece, the 'Bridge hit the front, remarkably for the first time in the match, this score by Eanna Murphy. The brilliant minor Neil Keary sent over a free for Loughrea to make it 14-14; Alan Kerins, now out around the middle and hugely influential, scored a great long-range point and young Barry Daly, a really good hurler, hit one from a tight angle. Neil Keary's freetaking kept 'The Town' alive; it was now 16-15 to Clarinbridge, and they would get two more points, while holding their opponents scoreless. In the excitement of the late play, Mark Kerins scored one of the best points seen in the County Championship all year, lifting and striking, in one movement, from well out the field; that was sheer craft from a most gallant and honourable club servant, while one of the younger men, Eoin Forde, got a valuable late point, too. If it was a special day for Micheál Donoghue, his twin brother Liam, the goalkeeper, will also remember it with pride, for he was collecting his second County S.H.C. medal, having been the 'keeper in 2001. And congratulations to that splendid wing-back Jamie Cannon, who was selected the Coopers' Man of the Match award winner, just ahead of his lionhearted team-mate David Forde, who was again outstanding, as he was in the drawn final. Well done, also, to the entire Loughrea team and their management; they may not have brought home the title but their hearts are in the right place. Clarinbridge:  L Donoghue; C Forde, B Burke, P Callanan; J Cannon, D Forde, M Donoghue; B Daly (0-2), E Murphy (0-1); S Burke, M Kerins (0-8, six frees), S Forde (0-1); E Forde (0-1), A Kerins (0-1), P Coen (0-4, three frees, one 65). Subs: E Collins for M Donoghue (62 mins), A Armstrong for Murphy (68). Loughrea: N Murray; B Mahony, D McClearn, T Regan; P Hoban, N Shaughnessy, V Maher; E Mahony, G Keary; J Coen (0-1), J Maher (0-3), K Colleran (0-1); N Keary (0-9, eight frees, one 65), J O'Loughlin (0-1), T Hoban. Subs: J Regan for T Hoban (56 mins), G Kennedy for Colleran (59 mins), Colleran for V Maher (60), S Mahony for E Mahony (75). Referee: Eoin Shaughnessy. Herald Sport Man of the Match: Jamie Cannon (Clarinbridge).[/private]