Clarinbridge 2-18
O'Loughlin Gaels 0-12
Clarinbridge are the 2010/2011 All Ireland club senior hurling champions after a scintillating performance in Croke Park on St Patrick’s Day that left their Kilkenny counter-parts befuddled and trailing in their wake.
The Galway champions won easily, by 12 points in the end, and they lorded proceedings in the second half. It was an incredible second-half display.
Such a scenario looked highly unlikely approaching half time when Michéal Donoghue’s charges found themselves five points adrift. Indeed for much of the first half Clarinbridge looked in serious trouble.
O’Loughlin Gaels’ centre-forward Mark Bergin ran the show early on, picking off four long-range points and he was proving a real handful for David Forde. All of Bergin's points were high quality, but, crucially, he also missed two scorable frees that should have given his team a better lead.
Clarinbridge looked dangerously out of touch in those early stages and could have been further than just 0-8 to 0-3 in arrears after 22 minutes. Not conceding any majors was important and it ensured they did not go too far into arrears.
Kilkenny player Martin Comerford was restricted to just one point and Clarinbridge full-back Brian Burke had a storming game on the Kilkenny star which was a key duel in this win.
Clarinbridge made the right calls
The Clarinbridge management enjoyed a good day in the office, making their changes at the right time. The game-changing decision was switching Alan and Mark Kerins between centre-forward and full-forward as half-time approached. The difference was obvious and immediate.
Alan had the freedom to drift deep into midfield and pick off some intelligent passes, while Mark had the strength and combative skills to battle for possession inside. It was a dream move.
Keeping David Forde at centre-back when his direct opponent Bergin was profiting early on was also important. Forde is a real leader and he came out after half time and gave a master class of hurling. He has been a real star for the team in that position all season.
Enda Collins also did very well on his introduction and his two points were key scores and helped change the flow of the game.
Within minutes of his switch to the edge of the square, Mark Kerins had goaled. Everything changed from then on. Soon after he won a penalty, having the strength to gather a Barry Daly ball under pressure.
His penalty effort was touched over, but the effect of those two plays was inspirational as the sides were locked at 1-7 to 0-10 at half-time and the Kilkenny dressing room must have been deflated.
Clarinbridge re-emerged a different team, buzzing with the same energy that allowed them to survive against De La Salle in the epic semi-final in Thurles.
Mark Kerins continued to dictate at full-forward and was involved in their first four scores of the second half, converting three frees and setting up Collins in another polished move.
Eoin Forde also picked up his game and chipped in with a performance full of pace and precision. Alan Kerins, Barry Daly and Eanna Murphy drove the team on for the entire second half.
O'Loughlin Gaels managed just two second-half points, both Bergin frees, and they were held scoreless for the last 23 minutes in what became a cake-walk for Clarinbridge.
At the heart of their defence David Forde was immense. And it was one of his fabulous clearances that led to their second goal, sending Eoin Forde in for another green flag.
There was denying them - worthy and convincing winners on the day.
Team captain Paul Callanan collected the Tommy Moore Cup for the first time in the club’s history. Based on their display, it may not be the last.
Clarinbridge: L Donoghue; C.Forde B Burke, P Callanan (Cpt ); J Cannon 0-1, D. Forde, M Donoghue; B Daly, E Murphy 0-1; S Burke, M Kerins 1-7 (4fs ), S.Forde, E Forde 1-4, A Kerins 0-2, P Coen 0-1. Sub used: E Collins 0-2.
