Founded 15th Dec 1884
Tom Naughton U8 Hurling League
The Tom Naughton Indoor hurling league was set up in the Winter of 2004/2005 to promote hurling among a younger age group and to use the facilities that Clara GAA had at its disposal. The league was based on the set-up similar to the Br. Urban football league but it was uniquely aimed at U8’s. The league consists of 6 teams of about 7 players who begin with two indoor hurling training sessions in the GAA social center located in the middle of Clara town. Six teams play out a league system for 5 consecutive weeks culminating with 3 finals for three different cups, the A Final being played for the Tom Naughton Cup, the B-Final being played for the Tommy Dolan Cup and the C Final for the Ber Cowen Cup.
The organizers were very fortunate to have in their possession the Tom Naughton Cup and the Dolan and Cowen Family came on board donating cups to the indoor hurling league, the 3 cups representing 3 local families who would also have strong ties to Clara GAA.
The atmosphere on the night of the 3 finals is electric with the balcony in ‘the star’ full to the rafters with family and friends supporting the players. Medals are presented usually by a local celebrity who have included in the past, Johnny Flattery, Thomas Deehan, Shane Lowry, Fr. Keary PP, and this year Scott Brady and also Chairman of the club, Michael Sheridan.
2012 TOM NAUGHTON U8 INDOOR HURLING REPORT
Round 4
CLASHAWAUN V KILBRIDE
The 4thround of the 2012 Tom Naughton indoor hurling league took place last Tuesday night in GAA Centre in Clara and the first game on the night was the eagerly awaited top-of-the-table clash between Clashawaun and Kilbride. After a very tight start the men from Clashawaun finally saw of the challenge of their nearest rivals on a score line of 8-3. In a very tight and tense opening half both defences were firmly on top with Kilbride's Evan Cronin, Ciabhan Dunne and Alex Handy all playing brilliantly. Likewise Clashawaun'sJames Cullen, Kevin Minnock and Kevin O'Keeffe were all having magnificent games in this tough hard battle. With just 2 minutes to go before half time there was no score on the board but then Barry Egan fired in a rocket of a goal to give Clashawaun the lead and just on the stroke of half time Cian Cornally double their lead with another brilliant goal. Kilbride came out fighting at the start of the second half and were quickly back in it when their top-scorer Dominic Scully rattled home from close range before following it up with a great strike to the level the game. Clashawaun however didn't panic and were soon back in front with another classic from Egan and a cracker from Ben Kennedy. CiaranMcKeon then won a great ball in midfield and set up Kevin Minnock for another great goal to leave Clashawaun 5-2 up. And when Egan and Kennedy rifled home two more in quick succession the game was as good as over. Kilbride's Callum Dunne then scored a great goal and Myles Handy came very close to adding another but James Cullen killed of the game with a great strike for Clashawaun to ensure they remain unbeaten in the league and top of the table going into the final round of games.
BALLINOUGH V WOODFIELD
The second match of the night saw the men from Woodfield take on the mighty Boers of Ballinough. This was a real cracker with the team's level no less than five times; however it was Ballinough who finally come out on top 8-6 in the end. In a blistering start Woodfield created panic in the Ballinough defence forcing an own goal (from an unidentified hurl!) and doubled their lead straight away when Neil Robbins fired home a great goal. James Dunne was having his normal outstanding game in the Woodfield backline and on the rare occasion when the backline was breached Shane Rabbitte, in goal, was there to deny the Ballinough attack time and again. But Ballinough finally found a way through when Kevin Gavin was on hand to fire in from close range and Conor Doyle then levelled it shortly after. Robbins then reclaimed the lead for Woodfield before Conor Taylor (who went on to score a fantastic hat-trick) levelled it again just before half time. And with Jack Devine closing up shop in the Ballinough goal and Keelin Conroy rock solid in front of him at full back it was going to be tough for Woodfield to find the scores they needed in the second half. But that they did! Brendan Greene got hold of midfield for Woodfield and set up Robbins for his hat-trick, a great goal from his left side. But Taylor responded quickly with his second of the night before Jamie Larkin won a great ball, side stepped a challenge and slipped the ball through for Robbins to finish easily into the Ballinough net. James Kelly then levelled it for Ballinough (for the fourth time) with a brilliant goal before Doyle put the Boers into the lead for the first time. The magnificent Dunne, however, levelled it again for Woodfield! But then Alex Goulart went into goal for the Boers and that quickly put an end to the Woodfield scoring. With only two minutes left and with the game at 6-6 James Kelly rattled in another great goal for Ballinough and with only seconds remaining the terrific Taylor scored his third and best goal on the night to give the Boers a hard won victory over a wonderful Woodfield team.
KILCOURSEY V AUGHAMORE
In the final match of the night the men from Aughamore finally got the win they deserved when overcoming a fancied Kilcoursey team on score line of 11-4. Having lost by only a single goal in their two previous games Aughamore were determined that, from the start, they weren't going to be going home empty handed for a third week in a row. As soon as the first minute they were in front when David Sheridan fired home a great goal and this was quickly followed by a pair from the energetic Tommy Bracken. Eoghan Cornally was outstanding in goal for Aughamore making several superb saves and Jamie Rowan in front of him was clearing everything that came his way. For Kilcoursey Brian Buckley and Greg Byrne were fighting hard for every ball and their efforts paid off when they set up Marcus Dalton to pull one back for Kilcoursey. But Sheridan eased the Aughamore nerves with his second before Dalton grabbed another. Eoin Scanlon was working hard in midfield for Kilcoursey and Jack Butler was playing some great hurling also. With half time looming disaster struck for Kilcoursey when a mix up allowed Bracken in for his hat-trick and Sheridan also got his third straight from the re-start. And when the impressive Liam Flynn got in on the scoring act it left Aughamore 7-2 up and left Kilcoursey with a momentous task for the second half. But a re-shuffle of the team at half time worked brilliantly for Kilcoursey. Ryan Carroll went between the posts and gave the goal-keeping performance of the league with countless magnificent saves. Greg Byrne went full back to shore up the defence and also got a goal back shortly after the re-start and when Butler set up Dalton for another it looked like a comeback was on the cards. Aughamore were rattled but in fairness they didn't panic gradually took control of the game again. John Guilfoyle was playing fantastic and he set up Flynn for his second and Bracken for his fourth. Then Rowan scored a screamer from the backline to put Aughamore further ahead before Bracken finished the route with his fifth on the night to give them the 11-4 win. The 5thand final round of games is down for Tuesday 28th February with the finals due to take place on Tuesday 6th March. We would encourage all family members and friends of all the players to come along and support each team on the night. Please check the fixtures in the Post Office window or the GAA Social Centre window. Players should check in with their managers 10 mins before their game starts.