Clonoulty/Rossmore: 4-20(32)
Rockwell/Rosegreen: 2-12(18)
Cathal Bourke finished top scorer with 2-12 as Clonoulty/Rossmore claim their second Bewleys Minor B Hurling Championship title on Saturday when they overcame the challenge of Rockwell/Rosegreen in Dundrum on Saturday.
Scores were slow to come by in the opening quarter with the sides all square for the third time after fifteen minutes of play. Gerard Cummins pointed from a free for the combination of Rockwell/Rosegreen but Cathal Bourke pointed for Clonoulty/Rossmore from a place ball at the other end. The openings points of play for both sides came from Jack Ryan and Mark Downey. Cathal Bourke again pointed another free before Rockwell/Rosegreen were dealt a blow when they lost Conor Walsh to injury. Colm Moloney got his first point as he tied the score up at the end of the first quarter. Cathal Bourke (free) and Tommy Ryan pointed to give Clonoulty/Rossmore a two point cushion and that lead remained at two when Mark Downey and Aidan Slattery swapped points. Rockwell/Rosegreen looked to have the ability to get goals and Paddy Ryan L made a great save to deny them a goal. Sean Ryan could have had the game’s opening goal when he collected the sliotar after Cathal Bourke’s effort came back off the post but his shot was blocked by Christopher Geragthy. Gerard Cummins cut the deficit to the minimum with another point from a place ball but Clonoulty/Rossmore would finish the remaining five minutes very strong raising three green flags to Rockwell/Rosegreen’s two points. Tommy Ryan got the game’s opening goal after great work by Cathal Bourke going forward despite the goalie getting a good touch on it. Cathal Bourke collected possession after a scramble and he raced in for goal. Gerard Cummins responded for the combination with two pointed frees but Bourke added his second goal just before the half time whistle as he burst through to hit the net. Rockwell/Rosegreen could have gone in a bit closer at half time but Paddy Ryan denied Harry Costello a goal on the stroke of half time. Clonoulty/Rossmore ahead at half time 3-6 to 0-7.
Harry Costello had goal on his mind as the second half resumed but his shot went just the wrong side of the post. Gerard Cummins and Cathal Bourke got the second half scoreboard moving as they swapped points from placed balls. Cummins brought the gap to six as he kept up his good form on frees pointing two in quick succession. Jack Ryan added Clonoulty/Rossmore’s first point from play in the second half after nine minutes but Rockwell/Rosegreen then hit a purple patch. Mark Downey now playing at midfield made a great run and pointed before substitute Brian Og O’Dwyer collected a pass unmarked and sent his shot low to the net past Paddy Ryan L. Clonoulty/Rossmore’s lead was now down to three points. It was as close as Rockwell/Rosegreen would get. In the next five minutes points from Nathan Slattery (2), Cathal Bourke (play and free) and Jack Ryan had breathing space between them and the combination again. They continued to add points and Aidan Slattery hit their fourth goal when he reacted quickest to fire home to the net. Kevin Cleary responded with goal at the other end but further points from Bourke (3) saw Clonoulty/Rossmore run out comfortable winners.
Best for Clonoulty/Rossmore were Cathal Bourke while Oisin Fryday held up possession at full forward to set up scores while Jack Ryan (Casey) and Donnchadh Quirke played well in defence.
Rockwell/Rosegreen were best served by Mark Downey, Gerard Cummins and Brian Og O’Dwyer when introduced.
After the game Cathal Bourke received the Loughman Centenary Cup from West Board Chairman John O’Shea.
Clonoulty/Rossmore: Paddy Ryan(L), Sean Ryan(H), Aidan Loughman, Jack Ryan(Con),Paddy Kennedy, Donnchadh Quirke, Aaron Kennedy, Nathan Slattery (0-2), Jack Ryan(Casey), Aidan Slattery (1-1), Cathal Bourke (2-12,(0-7f)), Jack Ryan (0-3), Tommy Ryan (1-2), Oisin Fryday, Sean Ryan ( R),
Subs Used: Cathal Ryan R, Dillon Maher
Rockwell/Rosegreen: Christopher Geraghty, Diarmuid English, Andrew Moloney, Charlie Costello, Fergus English, Kevin Tobin, Conor O Brien, Harry Tobin, Conor Walsh, Tom Tobin, Mark Downey (0-4), Colm Moloney (0-1), Harry Costello, Gerard Cummins (0-7,(0-6f), Kevin Cleary (1-0)
Subs Used: Brian Og O’Dwyer (1-0), Brian Flavin, Tom Dowling, Charlie Costello
Referee: Richard O’Connor (Arravale Rovers)