Atlantic Aviation are through to the Munster Inter-Firm Junior Hurling semi-final after defeating Clancy Construction in an entertaining quarter-final at UL.
Atlantic Aviation (Clare) 3-10
Clancy Construction (Tipperary) 2-11
Atlantic started well with Daire Keane scoring two points from frees and Thomas Cleary scoring a point from play inside the first six minutes. Clancy hit back with a goal from Eddie Costello on nine minutes after winning a long ball in from Eoin Healy and finishing well.
Clancy went in front on thirteen minutes with a great score by Enda Walsh. Good work for Atlantic from Alan Brigdale on fifteen minutes created a chance for Gavin Whyte and he finished well to the back of the Clancy net on the run. Clancy made it a one point game on 22 minutes with another good score from Enda Walsh on the run.
The sides were level on 24 minutes when Cian Treacy scored a good point from a tight angle. Keane hit back for Atlantic with another pointed free on twenty seven minutes. It was level again when Treacy got some space on the wing and scored another point. Keane gave Atlantic a one point lead right on half time when he scored his fourth point of the half to leave it Atlantic Aviation 1-5 Clancy Construction 1-4.
Clancy had the first chance of the second half when a good run and shot from Michael Ryan was brilliantly saved by Shane Fitzgerald in the Atlantic goal. Atlantic failed to clear and Cian Treacy got some space to fire over a point and level the match. Alan Brigdale won the puck out and scored a good point to put Atlantic back in front. Clancy went back in front on thirty five minutes when substitute Robert Clancy got on the end of a shot from Michael Ryan and made no mistake with a shot to the back of the Atlantic net.
Keane cut the deficit to a point when he scored from a free. Treacy put two in it again with another point from the wing on thirty seven minutes. A great goal from Daire Keane on two minutes later after he picked up the ball on the left wing and burst through three defenders before scoring turned the game back in Atlantic’s favour.
The sides were level again on forty one minutes when Liam Walsh scored a good point from the left sideline. Good work from Keane created a chance for Thomas Cleary on forty five minutes and he scored a good goal to put Atlantic three points clear.
Keane made it a four point game when he scored from a free after a foul on himself. It was back to a three point game when Paul Murray scored a point from the left sideline. Points from Keane and Whyte extended their lead to five points with fifty two minutes gone.
Treacy pulled a point back for Clancy and Enda Walsh scored his third long range point to make it a three point game with five minutes left. The margin was down to two points on fifty eight minutes after Liam Walsh scored another good point from the wing. Clancy threw everything at Atlantic in the closing stages but Atlantic defended well to earn a deserved place in the Munster semi-final against Limerick or Cork opposition in a few weeks.
Atlantic Aviation: Shane Fitzgerald (Ballinahinch), John O’Gorman (Cratloe), Tadgh Keogh (Sixmilebridge), Richard Dorgan (Wolfe Tones), Paul Plower (Kilconieron), Evan McInerney (Sixmilebridge), Sean Chaplin (Cratloe), Gavin Whyte (Sixmilebridge) 1-1, Tom O’Gorman (Cahir), Shane Corry (Scariff), Alan Brigdale (Crusheen) 0-1, Matthew Kelly (Thurles Sarsfields), Tommy Long (Loughmore), Daire Keane (Kilmaley) 1-7, Thomas Cleary (Kilruane MacDonaghs) 1-1. Subs: Steve Bumster (Modeligo), Justin Cahill (Kilruane MacDonaghs), Michael Sillery (St Senans), Michael O’Leary (Templederry)
Clancy Construction: Kevin Dalton (St Lachtains), Colm Kinane (Drom & Inch), Michael Costello (Drom & Inch), Michael Purcell (Drom & Inch), Donnacha O’Halloran (Garryspillane), Enda Walsh (Drom & Inch) 0-3, Thomas King (Thurles Sarsfields), Eoin Healy (Dungarvan), Aidan Maher (Boherlahan), Paul Murray (Templederry) 0-1, Michael Ryan (Smith O’Briens), Liam Walsh (Clonea Power) 0-2, Cian Treacy (Thurles Sarsfields) 0-5, Eddie Costello (Drom & Inch) 1-0, Tom Murphy (Clare). Subs: Ian Morrissey (James Stephens), Robery Clancy (Moycarkey Borris) 1-0