Glenfin power on in extra time to dethrone Cloughaneely and reach U-21 B final

Glenfin reached the final of the Under-21 B Championship as they kicked on in extra time to defeat Cloughaneely by seven points in the Burn Road.

Cloughaneely led for the majority of the game, a fifth minute goal from Lorcan McGee and a two pointer from Donnachadh Ó Baoighill getting them going early on and they led by four at the break.

But as Glenfin introduced captain Luke McGlynn, who hit a two pointer, along with four points in a row from the impressive Seaghan McCormick, they looked the likelier to win with the wind advantage.

Cloughaneely were three down coming into added time, but a Patrick Doohan point, either side of ones from Ó Baoighill, brought it to extra time.

However, the Glenfin men kicked on in the final twenty minutes and outscored their opponents 0-7 to 0-0 to reach the final and beat the defending champions.

Glenfin wasted no time in getting a first score, Tommy McNulty firing over inside 30 seconds, but Cloughaneely responded with a goal. 

Seamus Doogan’s 1-2 with Ciaran O’Donnell saw the defender get space, and while his effort hit the bar and bounced, Lorcan McGee was there to punch in at close range. 

O’Baoighill then added a two point free, while Shaun Ward responded with a one point free as Patrick Doohan was black carded. 

Cloughaneely did well during this period, however, and O Baoighill kicked a free ten minutes later as they were back to 15, and Doohan soon got himself a point after a good move. 

A contentious effort from Ward was given wide as it went directly over the post, but Odhran O’Connor and a Ward ‘45 left a goal in it.

But O Baoighill, just inside the arc, made it 1-5 to 0-4 at the break. 

Glenfin had a good start to the second half with captain Luke McGlynn coming on, and he pointed inside 30 seconds, while McNulty got another score after a good run, just narrowly going over the bar. 

O’Connor had a goal chance saved soon after, while Cloughaneely also could have hit the net as Jack Gallagher found O’Donnell in space, but he fired over for a point. 

O’Connor had another shot saved, while McCormick got his first score, although Gallagher responded at the other end. 

McGlynn then hit a two pointer from play, and a Ward free momentarily levelled the game.

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Cloughaneely went ahead again on 52 minutes through Tiarnan McGinty, but a McCormick inspired five minute spell saw Frank McGlynn’s side go ahead. 

He hit two inside a minute, the second after a good solo run to put Glenfin ahead for the first time in 50 minutes, while Dáire Ferry made a superb block to deny a shot at goal from Jamie O’Donnell. 

McCormick added two more fine scores after good runs as Glenfin led by three with a minute of normal time to play. 

But Ó Baoighill and a Doohan finish after good play left a point in it in added time.

And Glenfin were dispossessed twice coming down the stretch, allowing the Páirc Naomh Fionnan men a chance to level, which Ó Baoighill did from a tight angle to send the game to extra time.

With the wind in their favour, Glenfin used that advantage in the third period, Ward and McCormick pointing, while McCormick could have had a goal as he tried to palm in from an O’Connor pass, but he couldn’t connect, although it was pulled back for a mark which O’Connor converted.

Jamie O’Donnell put Glenfin four ahead at the break, and they continued to build on the lead, O’Connor and Oisin McGlynn taking points.

And as Cloughaneely were penalised for a breach, O’Connor converted an easy free to go seven clear, with the trailing side going for goal but the victors held firm to reach the final.

Glenfin scorers: Seaghan McCormick 0-6; Shaun Ward 0-4,2f,1’45; Odhran O’Connor 0-4,1f,1m; Luke McGlynn 0-3,1tp,1f; Tommy McNulty 0-2; Jamie O’Donnell and Oisin McGlynn 0-1 each.

Cloughaneely scorers: Donnachadh Ó Baoighill 0-6,1tpf,1f; Lorcan Mac Aoidh 1-0; Pádraig Ó Dubhcóin 0-2; Ciaran Ó Domhnaill, Jack Ó Gallachóir and Tiarnáin Mac Gionntaigh 0-1 each.

Cloughaneely: Oran Craig; Tarlach Coll,Dáire Ó Fearraigh, Tomás Ó Dugáin; Ciaran Ó Domhnaill, Seamus Ó Dugáin, Jack Ó Gallchóir; Cathal Mac Íomhair, Ethan Ó Frighill; Stiofáin Ó Cuireáin, Donnachadh Ó Baoighill, Pádraig Mac Giolla Comhaill; Lorcan Mac Aoidh, Tiarnáin Mac Gionntaigh, Pádraig Ó Dubhcóin. 

Subs: Caolan Ó Rathallaigh for Ó Domhnaill (66), Donal Mac Aoidh for T Ó Dugáin (72), Daithí Mac Geaney for Ó Cuireáin (ht, et)

Glenfin: Jake Griffith; Ross Bradley, Darragh Carroll, Conor McMenamin; Oisin McGlynn, Jack Long, Callum Long; Daniel Marley, Shaun Ward; Tommy McNulty, Eoghan McNulty, Seaghan McCormick; Odhran O’Connor, Jamie O’Donnell, Harry McGlynn. 

Subs: Luke McGlynn for E McNulty (ht), Niall Marley for T McNulty (36), Jake Doherty and James McGlynn for H McGlynn and McCormick (78)

Referee: Pat Barrett (Milford)