Brave Clooney Gaels go down to All-Ireland semi-final defeat

Clooney Gaels Ahoghill who were beaten by Kilkenny and Leinster champions Rower-Inistioge in Sunday's AIB All Ireland Intermediate Hurling Championship semi-final in Navan, Co. Meath.

The Ahoghill side were beaten 1-14 to 0-7 by Kilkenny champions Rower-Inistioge in the semi-final at PaircTailteann, Navan.

Ahoghill looked on course for victory when they led 0-7 to 0-6 at half-time but they had played with a strong breeze in their favour in the opening half.

During that time, Gerard Graham showed his accuracy from frees for Clooney, while PJ O’Connell produced a couple of excellent scores from play and the Ahoghill men had established a three point lead after 20 minutes.

Clooney failed to press home their advantage of having the elements in their favour, however, and by the break just one point separated the sides.

Now facing the breeze, the Antrim champions knew they had their work cut out and they were dealt a killer blow within a minute of the re-start with a Rower goal.

Despite battling bravely, Clooney could make no impact on the Kilkenny side’s rearguard, with Ahoghill’s best chance falling to Dominic Neeson who could not make a clean connection when through on goal and the chance was spurned.

It was the end of an amazing journey for the men from Fr McGuigan Park but they can be rightly proud of their achievement in reaching an All-Ireland club semi-final.

Clooney Gaels: Patrick Graham, Eamon Brady, FrancisNeeson, Christopher McGlone, Fionnbar O’Neill, Diarmaid Graham, Neill O’Connell, Dominic Neeson, Martin Graham, Gerard Graham, ThomasMcGlone, Sean O’Connell, Eoin Graham, PJ O’Connell, Donal Graham. Subs – Joe Downey for Martin Graham (39 min); Stephen O’Connell for Eamon Brady (43 min); Owen Neeson for Gerard Graham (50 min).

Clooney scorers: Gerard Graham 0-3 (3f); PJ O’Connell 0-2 (1f); Donal Graham 0-1; Dominic Neeson 0-1.