By: Mary Dunne
Molloy Environmental & Precast Systems Junior A Hurling Final
Clodiagh Gaels: 0-17
St Rynagh’s: 0-12
There’s times when life throws up some amazing outcomes and for Clodiagh Gaels 2026 has done exactly that as they added the Junior A Hurling Title to the array of silverware following a hard fought but impressive win over St Rynagh’s on Sunday afternoon last.
It has been a dream year for them to say the least. Not only to reach three county finals but to do so at both hurling and football and to win them all in the manner that they did has to be admired.
They still have one more final to look forward to with the Junior C Football yet to play against Shamrocks next week and they will certainly be aiming to make it a clean sweep.
Hunger and drive says a lot and when their backs were to the wall against a highly determined St Rynagh’s side, Clodiagh Gaels had it in bucketful’s as they ground out a very good win.
Ryan Kinahan lead the charge, he was exceptional at full forward not only from placed balls but also from general play as he contributed a staggering eleven points of their final seventeen tally.
Clodiagh Gaels who last lifted the Title in 2016, came up against a strong St Rynagh’s side who saw off an extremely fancied Ballyskenach/Killavilla who themselves were on the hunt for the Title for the first time since 2011.
Played in Grant Heating St Brendan’s Park, Birr, the elements and the strong wind swirling around the park, it was always going have an effect on the game and it was always going to be a case who was going to work it best and by the half time whistle the signs were all pointing in Clodiagh Gaels favour.
The Junior A Championship once again has been an interesting one as the clubs bid to get to Intermediate Level for 2027 and depending on the outcome it certainly had implications for others, with Ballinamere waiting to see if they would retain their Intermediate status pending St Rynagh’s winning.
For Clodiagh Gaels their run to the final was not as plain sailing and following an investigation into their semi final against Tullamore, a game that Tullamore had won but later were found to have played players who were not eligible and with the subsequent re-fixture, Clodiagh Gaels came out on top.
It certainly was the catalyst for them for this meeting with St Rynagh’s and they felt that had a lot to prove to both themselves and the rest of the county and in the end they ran out deserving winners with five points to spare.
With that said, Clodiagh Gaels who looked to be in control for long spells had to dig very deep and in fact St Rynagh’s had swung the pendulum in their favour midway through the half when they took the lead with a majestic Gary Kelly score.
St Rynagh’s really should have pushed on from there and they did have their chances, but the defying moment of the game came on the 57th minute when Gary Kelly’s yard free was blocked and a follow block on Korbin Dolan by Pauric Horan three minutes into injury time made sure St Rynagh’s weren’t going to get in for the goal that they needed.
Clodiagh Gaels hit the last six scores of the game and the sealed a brilliant win and no doubt they will celebrate in style and with the Junior C Football Final yet to come.
It was a very tight close affair in the opening half. Neither side gave an inch with plenty of personal battles throughout the field. It was St Rynagh’s who led the charge with early scores from Tom Cox and James Sullivan giving them a 0-2 to no score led after four minutes.
Taking Clodiagh Gaels a little longer to settle they finally got off the mark on the fifth minute thanks to Aaron Rattigan and with that they took off with further scores from Ryan Kinahan (2) and Ollie Dunne giving them a two point lead 0-4 to 0-2 with fifteen played.
Gary Kelly and Declan Kelly with a massive score levelled up matters three minutes later, but Ryan Kinahan had more to offer and with twenty on the clock the Gaels led by one 0-5 to 0-4.
It was end to end stuff now and with Gary Kelly and Callum Flannery on the mark for St Rynagh’s the lead switched hand again with St Rynagh’s leading 0-6 to 0-5 on twenty two minutes.
Once again Clodiagh Gaels had more to come and with a cracking final eight minutes they stormed into a three point lead at the break, 0-9 to 0-6 thanks to scores from Ryan Kinahan (2), Anthony Gorman and David Buckley.
This game, however as far from going in their favour just yet and with two early scores from Gary Kelly the gap was back to one, 0-9 to 0-8 with thirty three on the clock.
Ryan Kinahan and Gary Kelly traded score by the 38th minute, before Kinahan left two between the sides 0-11 to 0-9 on the 40th minute.
St Rynagh’s were now starting to take a foothold in the middle of the field and with three next three scores on the bounce from Korbin Dolan with two and Gary Kelly, they were back in front 0-12 to 0-11 with forty six played.
With the level of possession that they had they should have pushed on from there, but Clodiagh Gaels had other things on their minds.
At the back they tightened up considerably and by the 54 minute they were back to two clear again thanks to Gavin Sheil and Ryan Kinahan with two, leaving the scores reading 0-12 to 0-12.
Gavin Sheil who put in a tremendous second half shift added a second to the scoreboard and the gap was three and St Rynagh’s now chasing the goal.
They chased and they chased hard for it, but they just couldn’t find the gap and it was Clodiagh Gaels with two more scores from Ryan Kinahan who sealed the win. The final scores reading 0-17 to 0-12.
The Scorers
Clodiagh Gaels: Ryan Kinahan 0-11 (0-9 Frees), Gavin Sheil 0-2, Aaron Rattigan 0-1, Ollie Dunne 0-1, Anthony Gorman 0-1, David Buckley 0-1.
St Rynagh’s: Gary Kelly 0-6 (0-4 Frees, 0-1 ‘65), Korbin Dolan 0-2, Tim Cox 0-1, James Sullivan 0-1, Declan Kelly 0-1, Callum Flannery 0-1.
The Teams
Clodiagh Gaels: Conor Brophil; Bob O’Brien, Killian O’Brian, Daniel Berry; Tom Dunne, Pauric Horan, Shane Kelly; David Buckley, Jack Kelly; Gavin Sheil, Aaron Rattigan, Ryan Casey; Ollie Dunne (Capt.) Ryan Kinahan, Anthony Gorman.
Sub: Dara Grehan for Ollie Dunne (53 mins).
St Rynagh’s: Declan Tanner; Paddy McGuckin, Damien McLoughlin, Callum Moore; Declan Kelly, Joe White, Tim Cox; James Sullivan, Cathal Mannion; Eoghan Flynn, Callum Flannery, Gary Kelly (Capt.); Jack Slevin, Korbin Dolan, Shane Feeney.
Subs: Ciaran Flannery for Shane Feeney (29 mins), James Corrigan for Callum Flannery (55 mins), John Flannery for Cathal Mannion (60 mins).
Referee: Stephen Connolly (Kilcormac/Killoughey).
