Cleary leads Nenagh to minor success

November 07, 2008
A hat-trick of goals from towering full forward David Cleary inspired Eire Og, Nenagh to a decisive 5-10 to 1-10 victory over Upperchurch-Drombane in the county minor 'A' hurling final at Semple Stadium. Cleary proved a constant thorn in the side of Upperchurch, scoring his first goal after just 12 minutes, as Nenagh claimed their first minor title since 1992 and their sixth in all. The losers started brightly and led 0-3 to 0-2 before Cleary swooped for his first goal. Nenagh went on to lead by 1-5 to 0-4 at the break and within 30 seconds of the restart, Cleary pounced for his second major to give the winners a big lead. But a 36th minute goal from Seamus Armstrong left Upperchurch back into it before Cliff Moloney's 44th minute strike put Nenagh back in the driving seat. Upperchurch were rocked by a fourth goal by Paddy Murphy in the 50th minute before man of the match Cleary completed his hat-trick. Meanwhile, Shannon Rovers Gaels and Drom-Inch will have to replay their minor 'B' hurling final after they finished level on 2-11 to 1-14 last Sunday. Shannon Rovers Gaels looked set for victory when they led by five points with seven minutes remaining, but 1-3 from Drom-Inch in the space of three minutes meant they needed a last-gasp free from Alan Hogan to force a replay.

Most Read Stories