​Windgap in fine form as they see off Cloneen in junior hurling clash

This first-round JJ Kavanagh and Sons Premier Junior Hurling knockout championship clash saw Cloneen and Windgap both seeking a first-round win that had eluded both clubs in recent times, meet in Jenkinstown on Saturday.

With both sides managed by former Wingap teammates Phillip Lonergan and Matthew Enright the game was played on an excellent billiard-like surface where Conahys brand new wall ball, astro turf, and parking facilities glowed in the warm sunshine.

As Windgap faced a light breeze into the city end, Cloneen were the first on the scoreboard with a pointed free by Eoin Regan. Three Windgap points by Billy Power from a free, and a Jack Doyle brace following good work by Adam O’Shea saw them lead 0-3 to 0-1 after three minutes.

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In what was to be a well-contested, robust championship game, Eoin Regan pointed his second free before Brian Cahill set up Michael Doyle from a Garry Delaney puck out for the game’s first goal, that saw Cloneen to lead 1-2 to Windgap 0-3.

After Conor Doyle pulled back a point, Michael Doyle hit his second goal in three minutes as the route one ball yielded a green flag, and had the green and white brigade celebrating as Cloneen were now four points ahead, 2-2 to 0-4 with nine minutes gone.

Two Windgap points, with a reply single by Brian Cahill, saw Cloneen lead 2-3 to 0-6 ahead after twelve minutes. As the game swung around again, a good Windgap spell yielded them 2-4 to a single Brendain Buggy reply, leaving the Southerners 2-10 to 2-4 ahead after twenty minutes.

The goals were fashioned by Adam O’Shea who set up Jack Doyle for one before the assister, Adam, got his side’s second goal.

After Eoin Regan won, and pointed a Cloneen free, Billy and James Power put Windgap 2-12 to 2-4 ahead.

With some great long striking, harrying, and blocking, there was to be another turn before half time, as Brian Cahill and Padraig Cooney reduced the lead with two points, and then Eoin Regan buried a twenty-metre free through a packed goal line, after the ball was brought up for back chat.

The result saw just two points between the sides as Windgaps seven point lead, was whittled down to just two, 2-12 to 3-7 before a Billy Power point steadied their ship with a point to leave the score at 2-13 to 3-7 for Cloneen after a highly exciting first half.

On reflection, that was as close as it got, however, watching the action as Windgap tagged on seven unanswered points with as many wides to lead 2-20 to 3-8 at the three-quarter-way stage.

After Francie Ward reduced the lead with a pointed midfield free, Windgap finished out the game with seven points, to two from Eoin Regan frees, as Padhraic Foley, Sean Purcell, Conor Doyle, substitute Michael Power, Billy Power, and Jack Doyle all contributed second-half points for an eventually comfortable 3-27 to 3-11 win.

Windgap: Eoin O’Shea, Peter Landy, Willie Phelan, Sean Foley, Pat Power, Séan Purcell 0-2, Darragh O’Shea, Killian Enright, Pat Grace, Billy Power 1-9, 1-6 frees, James Power 0-1, Jack Doyle 1-6, Conor Doyle 0-5 Adam O’Shea 1-1, Padraic Foley 0-1.

Subs; Michael Power 0-2, Sean Barron, Séan Power,James Purcell.

Cloneen: Gary Delaney, John Kelly, Brian MacDonald, Gearoid O’Neill, Ciaran Cooney 0-1, Harry Roche, Malachy Flaherty, Francie Ward, Padraig Cooney 0-1, 0-1free, James Love, Brian Cahill 0-1, Ashley Kerr 0-1, Michael Doyle 2-0, Eoin Regan1-9. 1-9 frees, Brenainm Buggy 0-1.

Subs: Phillip Roche, Ronan Lynch, Dean Shortall.

Referee: Anthony Barcoe