Twomey hat-trick rescues the day for De La Salle over Clonea
De La Salle's Conor Keane gets away from Clonea's Adam Murray during their JJ Kavanagh & Sons Co. Senior hurling championship clash played at Azzurri Walsh Park. Photos: Maurice Hennebry
Clonea moved closer to securing a place in the knockout stages of the JJ Kavanagh & Sons County Senior Hurling Championship, but their ongoing difficulty in preventing goals again proved costly as they were forced to settle for a draw against De La Salle at Azzurri Walsh Park on Saturday last.
Having already conceded two goals apiece against Abbeyside, Passage and Ferrybank, Clonea leaked four more green flags on Saturday evening. While they remain in contention for the quarter-finals heading into the final round of group games, they will be frustrated at letting victory slip from their grasp after appearing in complete control entering the closing minutes.
With Ballygunner, who have amassed an impressive 6-110 in four championship outings, still to come, Clonea know they cannot afford another defensive lapse if they are to avoid being dragged into relegation concerns.
This encounter was the final game of a triple-header at Azzurri Walsh Park and produced plenty of drama, particularly in a remarkable closing spell that saw De La Salle recover from a five-point deficit.
The opening half was a stop-start affair, with momentum interrupted by a series of fouls and breaks in play. Even so, Clonea edged proceedings and deservedly carried a narrow 1-9 to 1-8 lead into the interval.
The sides were level three times during the opening 12 minutes. James Power opened the scoring for Clonea before Jack Twomey responded immediately for De La Salle. Billy Power and Jack Fagan then exchanged points, while further scores from Billy Power, Cormac Dawson and Twomey briefly edged De La Salle in front.
Francis Roche restored parity from a free on 12 minutes, but the game’s first goal arrived moments later. Goalkeeper Shaun O’Brien launched a long delivery before combining in the build-up with Daniel Lalor. The ball eventually found Twomey on the stand side and he showed great awareness to deliver a dangerous pass into the corner, setting up the move that finished with De La Salle finding the net and moving five points clear at 1-6 to 0-4.
Clonea responded impressively. When Conor Dalton reduced the deficit, Jack Mackey restarted quickly with a long delivery. James Power gathered possession just inside the 45-metre line, cut in from the stand side and drilled a low shot beyond O’Brien to bring his side right back into contention.
That goal proved the catalyst for Clonea, who gradually wrestled control of the contest and entered the break holding a slender one-point advantage.
De La Salle regained the initiative shortly after the restart. On 34 minutes O’Brien once again opted for a long puck-out, a tactic that repeatedly caused problems. Although Clonea initially won possession, they were dispossessed while attempting to work the ball out of defence.
Adam Farrell, Conor Keane and Twomey combined impressively, with Twomey’s vision creating the opening for Keane to fire to the net from close range. The goal pushed De La Salle into a 2-9 to 1-10 lead and underlined Twomey’s growing influence on the game.
Clonea responded in determined fashion and by the end of the third quarter had regained a two-point advantage, leading 2-13 to 2-11.
Their second goal arrived on 43 minutes following a misplaced De La Salle pass. Billy Power and Roche punished the error, combining neatly before setting up Thomas Skehan, who finished confidently to the net.
With Roche and Billy Power leading the attack superbly, Clonea looked increasingly likely to collect both points. Their forwards continued to pick off scores and, entering the closing stages, they appeared comfortable.
Indeed, with just over three minutes of normal time remaining, Clonea held a commanding 2-19 to 2-14 advantage and looked set for a vital victory.
However, De La Salle refused to surrender.
A long delivery from Darragh Keane into the uncovered stand side created uncertainty in the Clonea defence. Twomey reacted quickest when the ball broke loose and he fired low beneath Jack Mackey to leave just two points between the teams.
Roche responded with a point on the hour mark to restore a three-point cushion, but the game still had one final twist.
Within seconds, De La Salle worked the ball into the scoreboard corner at the city end. Twomey, already responsible for two goals, struck again. The sharpshooter completed a superb hat-trick, rifling the ball beyond Mackey to level the contest and cap a deserved man-of-the-match display.
Clonea were handed one last opportunity to snatch victory deep into stoppage time. Awarded a free near midfield, Billy Power stepped forward, but his effort drifted wide of the target. Moments later, referee Eoin Morrissey sounded the final whistle, confirming a share of the spoils after an absorbing championship encounter.
Jack Twomey 3-3, Brian Cunningham 0-3 (3f), Cormac Dawson 0-3, Conor Keane 1-0, Jake Dillion, Colm Morris, Shane Power, Shane McNulty and Jack Fagan 0-1 each.
Francis Roche 0-6 (3f), Billy Power 0-6, James Power 1-2, Gearoid Power 0-3, Thomas Skehan 1-0, Reece O'Mahony 0-2, Adam Murray 0-1.
Shaun O’Brien; Darragh Keane, Daniel Lalor, Lorcan Dwyer; Mikey Costigan, Jack Fagan, Conor Power; Jake Dillion, Shane McNulty; Adam Farrell, Brian Cunningham, Shane Power; Conor Keane, Cormac Dawson, Jack Twomey.
Colm Morris for Shane Power (44), Tom Moran for Cormac Dawson (55), Jack Jacob for Brian Cunningham (55).
Jack Mackey; Willie Hahessy, Mairtin Power, Tom Walsh; Reece O’Mahony, Kieran Power, Adam Murray; Michael Curry, Ronan Elliffe; Billy Power, Francis Roche, Ger Hahessy; James Power, Conor Dalton, Thomas Skehan
Jack Kirwan for Ronan Elliffe (44).
Eoin Morrissey (Erins Own).
