Was there a more successful club in 2002 than Clonkill? Hardly, considering that a whopping six championship titles found their home in the bulging Loughegar silverware cabinet. Clonkill may have surrendered their senior hurling championship crown in 2002, but it was still one of the most successful years in the club's long and distinguished history. No fewer than six championship titles were annexed in what was a remarkable year for the Loughegar-based club. If a prize existed for club of the year, it's likely that Clonkill would have won it hands down. The two big successes were in the junior and under 21 championships. But there were also championship wins at under 12, under 14, under 16 and minor level, making Clonkill easily the most successful club in the county over the past 12 months. Ironically, all six successes came in the aftermath of the club's exit from the senior championship. Clonkill's dreams of retaining the Examiner Cup were dashed by Castletown-Geoghegan on a 0-11 to 4-6 scoreline at Cusack Park on August 25. The green and golds had been in contention until the last five minutes when a brace of goals from Pat Connaughton ended the game as a contest. Clonkill's disappointment was shortlived, however, as in the four months that followed, they racked up one title after another. The weekend of October 12-13 saw the first two trophies wing their way to the Loughegar silverware cabinet. The first was captured by the under 14 side who overwhelmed St. Oliver Plunkett's by 3-8 to 0-4 in the 'premier' championship final at Shandonagh. Under the guidance of Tom Keegan, Pat O'Toole and Declan Leonard, this team had the winning look from the moment Conrad Reilly blasted to the net after just 30 seconds. Owen Price, Michael Heffernan, David Rushe and Reilly added points to give them a 1-4 to 0-3 cushion at the interval. Further minors from Price and Reilly stretched Clonkill's lead on the restart before goals from substitute Barry Leech and man of the match Reilly put the result beyond doubt. Afterwards, Lorcan Caffrey had the distinction of being the first Clonkill captain to accept the under 14 'premier' championship cup. The following day, the junior side completed a three-in-a-row of championship successes when the defeated Castletown-Geoghegan by 1-10 to 1-7 at Cusack Park. Vinny Kenny pointed Clonkill into an early lead and, while Castletown replied with scores from Noel Carr and Padraig Dalton, a Paul Slevin goal helped the green and golds to establish a 1-2 to 0-4 advantage at the break. Within four minutes of the restart, Castletown had stormed into a three-point lead after Ger Jackson goaled and Pat Connaughton pointed. Clonkill's grip on the junior championship appeared to be slipping, but six unanswered points from Kevin McGrath, Adam Mitchell (three), Paddy Dowdall and Martin Scally had turned the tide back in Clonkill's favour with five minutes remaining. Castletown then reduced the deficit to the minimum courtesy of two points from Noel Carr, but a point each from Mitchell and McGrath sealed a hard-earned victory for the holders. On Saturday, October 19, Clonkill captured two more titles in the space of a few hours at Robinstown. The under 12 'A' championship was first to be secured following a 3-3 to 2-4 victory over a gutsy Southern Gaels/Fr Dalton's amalgamation. The first half was a low-scoring affair, with Gary Moran's pointed free and Ciaran Dowdall's goal giving the Loughegar boys a 1-1 to 0-1 lead at the interval. Clonkill took control of the game on the resumption with goals from Michael Heffernan and Moran propelling them into a 3-2 to 0-1 lead. Daniel Qualter and James Finerty managed late goals for Southern Gaels/Fr Dalton's, but Clonkill held on for a two-point victory. A short time later, Clonkill celebrated their second 'A' championship victory of the day when the minor side inflicted a crushing 9-18 to 0-1 defeat on Cullion. As the scoreline suggests, this final was a total mis-match with the charges of Tommy Hackett, Kit Austin, Dinny Nulty and David Nooney dominating from start to finish. The game was effectively over at half-time with Clonkill perched nicely on a 4-7 to 0-1 lead. It continued to be one-way traffic in the second half with further goals from Michael McDonnell, Karl Foran (two), Stephen Nulty and Christopher Austin condemning Cullion to a hugely embarrassing defeat. The minor 'A' championship has almost become the exclusive property of Clonkill, with this being the club's third triumph on the trot. Title number five for the year was annexed on November 24 when Lough Lene Gaels were overcome by 0-10 to 1-2 in the under 16 'A' championship decider. Having been beaten in the 'premier' semi-final just two weeks previously, many supporters feared that Clonkill would find it difficult to lift themselves for the clash with the Collinstown men. But such fears were dispelled as the green and golds powered to an impressive victory. Clonkill had built up a 0-5 to 0-1 lead at the interval thanks to points from Christopher Austin and Adam Price (four). A Killian Cosgrove goal gave the Gaels hope on the restart, but further scores from Conrad Reilly, Damien Scally and Price copperfastened the win for Clonkill. Clonkill's 2-11 to 0-5 victory over Castletown-Geoghegan in the under 21 'premier' final at Cusack Park on December 8 was arguably the most significant of the lot. Despite hitting a total of 16 wides, Clonkill breezed to what was their second under 21 title in three years. Powered by another impressive display from county senior Brendan Murtagh at centre back and dazzling full forward Ger Fagan, Clonkill's victory never appeared to be in any doubt. En route to the final, Clonkill accounted for Raharney by 0-13 to 0-9 and Lough Lene Gaels by 0-21 to 2-9. The semi-final clash with the Gaels proved to be the toughest game of the campaign with the Loughegar men only succeeding after extra-time. Lough Lene Gaels looked to have snatched victory in normal time when they scored 2-2 without reply, but a last gasp equalizing point from Alan Dowdall enabled Clonkill to complete the job in the additional period. The more experienced of the two sides, Clonkill had things very much their own way against Castletown in the decider. The writing was on the wall for the black and ambers at half-time when a brace of goals from full forward Fagan helped Clonkill to a 2-5 to 0-3 lead. Joe Clarke reduced the deficit on the restart with a Castletown point, but further scores from Fagan, Paddy Dowdall and Enda Loughlin not only sealed a comfortable win, but brought the curtain down on a truly memorable year for the Loughegar club. The Clonkill team which retained the junior hurling championship was: Stephen Nulty; Jimmy Fitzsimons, Donal Kenny, John Fagan; Paul Farrell, Larry Donoghue, David O'Reilly; Paddy Dowdall, Fergal Fagan; Alan Dowdall, Kevin McGrath, Michael Farrell; Adam Mitchell, Vinny Kenny, Paul Slevin. Subs used: John Curran, Martin Scally and Alo Egerton. The Clonkill team which regained the under 21 'premier' hurling championship was: Stephen Nulty; Paddy Hallinan, John Fagan, Shane Owens; Paul Farrell, Brendan Murtagh, John Curran; Enda Loughlin, Darragh Ayres; Alan Dowdall, Paddy Dowdall, Paul Slevin; Michael Farrell, Gerard Fagan, Adam Mitchell. Subs used: Ciaran Owens, Karl Foran, Ger Cribbin and Liam Farrell. Tweet

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