At the end of the game the cameras flashed as photographers bobbed around the fringes of the small knot of Clough-Ballacolla supporters who invaded the field to engulf their team, acclaiming a great and worthy coup. From the most modest ambition a few weeks ago to win a game in the Leinster championship, Clough now find themselves in their first Leinster final, the first Laois team in 20 years to make a Leinster final since Castletown brought Birr to a replay.
They led from the fifth minute, Stephen ‘Picky’ Maher setting both the tone for Clough and forcing Kilmacud to chase a lead they couldn’t catch.
If Kilmacud saw a route opened up to a Leinster final having pulled their county title from the fire against Na Fianna, all progress was blocked by their own weaknesses in front of goal and the overwhelming aggression Clough brought to every exchange. Letting this chance slip will hurt Kilmacud.
For Clough, it was a triumph of fiercesome intensity and clever hurling, pulling Kilmacud’s defence into uncomfortable shapes and picking off scores at the most crucial times. They turned the screw from the get-go, Maher’s goal inside the first four minutes epitomising Clough’s refusal to take a step back as he threw Davy Crowe aside before hammering his shot to the net.
In contrast, Kilmacud laboured with the greasy conditions, Clough’s unrelenting hustle and problems with their own play. But a couple of late scores from Ronan Hayes and Fergal Whitely pulled them within four by the break, 1-9 to 0-8, and for everything heroic about Clough, Oisin O’Rourke’s goal after 43 minutes still brought Kilmacud within one as they began to flex their strength. Clough withstood it all, continuing to take their scores with greater efficiency and holding their own in the messy rucks that dominated the game.
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Next for Clough, a day next January at Croke Park against Ballyhale or St Rynagh’s. Either way, they’ll be mixing with serious club royalty. No fear of them.
