Controversy was put to one side as Clonkill and Raharney served up a thrilling minor hurling final at Cusack Park on bank holiday Monday.
Clonkill added the minor title to the senior crown they won last Sunday week and it’s the first time the club has achieved that feat since 1969. Some players have also achieved remarkable quadruple successes as both The Downs and Clonkill have won back to back minor football and hurling titles.
For Clonkill star, Niall Mitchell, who had a terrific game, producing some great high fielding, it capped off a memorable year as he won minor and senior hurling titles with Clonkill and a minor football medal with The Downs.
“It’s been a great year and I still have the under 21 to go!” he declared. “This was the sweetest victory of them all because I have grown up with all these guys. It was the highlight of the year for me,” he added.
Mitchell praised the collective resolve of his team- mates in what was a memorable contest played in difficult conditions.
“Wet weather made it tough, but the lads out the field did Trojan work and it’s easy when you’re getting the supply. All I did was catch a few balls and handed them off,” he modestly remarked.
The towering full forward said he expected a tough match from Raharney and was full of praise for their outstanding goalie, Brian McHugh.
“He’s only 16 years old and he’s an excellent ‘keeper. We couldn’t get the ball past him; we managed one goal, but it was unstoppable. He was superb and we knew this was going to be a tough game because Raharney are excellent and there’s very little between the two teams,” he remarked.
GOOD START
Mitchell felt it was vital that Clonkill did not allow Raharney to build up a head of steam after the Deelsiders got the better start.
“Our goal was crucial because Raharney had made a good start. If they pulled away it would have been very difficult to stop them. We knew that and Shane Cleary’s goal was excellent; it was one of the most important scores of the match,” he opined.
The final is part of a busy schedule for the dual star.
“It’s been hectic, I haven’t had a chance to stop. But it’s well worth it when I see that cup coming into the dressing room. It makes all the hard work worthwhile,” he said.
Mitchell was full of praise for manager, Pat O’Toole and Eoin Price, who returned from Shinty duty with Ireland to form part of the Clonkill backroom team.
“Pat has won every single trophy at club level in Westmeath and he’s the best manager I’ve ever played under, football or hurling. Eoiny Price has been great. We have serious respect for a player like him,” he said.
Mitchell praised the decision to reschedule the game, though he would have rather played it on Sunday!
“I’m delighted the game was played, it was the right decision. It was only fair to all concerned to play it on a different day to the senior final,” he said.
BEST INTEREST
Monday’s fixture was made possible when the Westmeath Minor Board’s Competitions Control Committee chose to veto a decision of last year’s County Convention and schedule the game for Monday. A statement released last Friday confirmed this and Westmeath County Board Chairman, Sean Sheridan was content to go along with the decision.
“The most important people here are the young players and we’re delighted that Coiste na nÓg CCC has been able to come to an arrangement with both clubs and that this matter has been resolved amicably in the best interest of the promotion and development of hurling,” he said.
The Minor Committee CCC explained their decision thus: “We were acting in good faith in following the wishes of clubs at last year’s County Convention. It has subsequently been shown that convention did not have that power and that fixtures are the reserve of the Minor Committee’s CCC.”
Both clubs rowed in with the re-fixture explaining in a joint statement that they wanted the game played in the interest of hurling development.
“We regret any inconvenience caused to spectators, administrators and match officials as a result of the game not going ahead. We again ask that the game be re-fixed in the interest of the players and for the benefit of Westmeath hurling,” they said.
While there was talk of an apology, it’s a moot point in Raharney where officials insist they have nothing to apologise for. Clonkill say they are happy to go along with an apology in the interest of getting the fixture on.
