Clare SHC Final: Inagh Kilnamona win first ever title

Clare SHC Final

Inagh-Kilnamona 2-18 Kilmaley 1-14

By Eoin Brennan at Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chiosóg

The Canon Hamilton trophy has been well travelled over the past two decades but it will have a new home for the next twelve months after Inagh-Kilnamona finally make their Clare Senior Hurling Championship breakthrough in Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chiosóg in Ennis.

That it was their nearest and dearest neighbours Kilmaley that were on the receiving end of their result wasn’t of any great significance as this was all about ending a famine. Indeed while Kilnamona last one a county senior crown 118 years earlier, Inagh-Kilnamona had never previously achieved that feat in their existence as a permanent amalgamation since 2008.

It was long overdue and took all of their inter-county experience and guile to finally get over the line after finishing strongly to fend off Brian Culbert’s side. Level for the sixth time entering the final ten minutes at 1-12 to 1-12, Inagh-Kilnamona would be the ones to excel when needed most in a 1-6 to 0-2 finish. Two time All-Star David Fitzgerald raided for three timely points to put his side three clear for the very first time, with captain Aidan McCarthy, current All-Star nominee Sean Rynne and substitute Niall Mullins stretching the margin to four before 2026 All-ireland Under 20 winner Fred Hegarty cemented victory with a last gasp goal.

It was Kilmaley who had started with that swagger as backed by the conditions, an excellent Conor Cleary sideline was accentuated by a 14th minute goal for Sean O’Loughlin at 1-3 to 0-1.

Crucially, within five minutes, Aidan McCarthy ensured that the gap was slashed to the minimum after fielding a monster Eamonn Foudy free and kicking to the roof of the Kilmaley net at 1-4 to 1-3.

Inagh-Kilnamona would eventually regain full parity by the 25th minute thanks to Fitzgerald but they were relieved to survive a glorious goal chance for Kilmaley as Mark Callinan’s sublime hook on Cian Moloney was truly inspirational.

Kilmaley did inch a point ahead at the break through Mikey O’Neill at 1-8 to 1-7 while Daire Keane doubled their advantage on the restart. However, Kilmaley were unable to fend off their stubborn neighbours particularly when Cian Moloney would be denied again, this time by a full length save from goalkeeper Eamonn Foudy needing the two-thirds mark.

Two minutes later Fred Hegarty put Inagh-Kilnamona into the lead for the first time and unearthed a major wrestle for supremacy that saw the neighbours level on three more occasions by the 50th minute.

David Fitzgerald’s switch to midfield provided a new dimension though as his trio of points provided the momentum for Inagh-Kilnamona to accentuate their advantage while down the other end Kilmaley were left frustrated in front of goal.

Sean O’Loughlin would be twice thwarted but goalkeeper Foudy while impressive substitute Colm Killeen also had a bullet cleared off the line by James Hegarty in contrast to Fred Hegarty’s cool finish to create history for Inagh-Kilnamona.

Scorers for Inagh-Kilnamona: Aidan McCarthy (3f), Fred Hegarty 1-5 each; David Fitzgerald 0-5; David Mescall, Niall Mullins, Sean Rynne 0-1 each

Scorers for Kilmaley: Sean O’Loughlin 1-3 (1f); Mikey O’Neill 0-3; Mikey O’Malley (2f), Colm Killeen 0-2 each; Conor Cleary (sl), Tommy Barry, Daire Keane, Brian McNamara 0-1 each

Inagh-Kilnamona: Eamonn Foudy; Shane Woods, Keith White, Conor Rynne; Kevin Hehir, James Hegarty, Darren Cullinan; Mark Callinan, Sean Rynne; David Fitzgerald, Kealan Guyler, Josh Guyler; Fred Hegarty, Aidan McCarthy, David Mescall

Subs: Gearoid Barry for J. Guyler (38), Niall Mullins for Mescall (43), Jason McCarthy for Cullinan (54), Jack Mescall for Callinan (56), Brian Foudy for White (63)

Kilmaley: Bryan O’Loughlin; Colin McGuane, Joe Casey, Colin Carmody; Aidan McGuane, Mikey O’Malley, Daire Keane; Tommy Barry, Sean Kennedy; Brian McNamara, Mikey O’Neill, Cian Moloney; Tom O’Rourke, Conor Cleary, Sean O’Loughlin

Subs: Evan Cahill for Kennedy (43), Colm Killeen for O’Rourke (44), Eoin Enright for O’Neill (57), James Fitzpatrick for Moloney (58)

Referee: Niall Malone (Éire Óg)