There were great celebrations on Saturday when the club’s under 12’s, who travelled to Mullinahone, Co. Tipperary to represent their club and county in this annual tournament, emerged victorious in the B final beating Waterford.
Teams from all over Ireland took part and it was great to see so many of the so called ‘weaker counties’ field strong teams that were a match for traditional strongholds.
The boys were drawn in Group 3 and wearing the county colours beat Derry in their first game. In their second game they went down to Cork (Fermoy) in a cliff hanger where “hawk eye” might well have favoured them with two disallowed points ! As a result of beating Antrim (Naomh Pol), Clare and Cork went on to jointly top the group and while Clare had the better points difference Cork went through to the semi finals on the head to head rule. Cork were eventually beaten by a point in the A final after extra time by Galway (Capataggle).
Our boys went on to contest the B final where they met Waterford (Passage) managed by former All-Star,Eoin Kelly. Waterford had accounted for Tipperary (CJ Kickhams) in their group. The final was a tight affair. Crucial goals from Enda O’Halloran and Lorcan O’Connor, some great point taking from their captain, Callum Hassett, superb saves from net minder Aidan Keating and a colossal team effort eventually saw the boys through by a single point.
The medals and trophy were presented by former Tipperary inter county hurler, Brian O’Meara and wild celebrations began all the way back to Clooney. A very promising and hard working group of players and for many a great end to their u.12 careers.
The travelling panel was Aidan Keating, Cormac Egan, Tadhg McInerney, Fionan O’Sullivan, Jack O’Neill, David Considine, Niall Murphy, Callum Hassett (captain), Enda O’Halloran, Oisin McMahon, John Cahill, Lorcan O’Connor and Dannan Fox.
Their mentors were Ronan McMahon, Gary Hogan, Daragh Hassett, Marie Keating and Fergal Cahill. Gerry Kehoe drove the bus with patience and offered great sideline support.
