Newcastle West exit Munster Club SFC following seven-point loss to Clonmel Commercials:

By David Byrne Limerick Leader Sports

NEWCASTLE WEST’S Munster journey has come to an end at the hands of Clonmel Commercials as the Tipperary champions ran out 2-7 to 0-6 winners in a sun-drenched Semple Stadium this afternoon.

Jimmy Lee’s men had trailed by just two points at half-time before a late flurry gave Clonmel the well-deserved seven-point victory.

Newcastle West were behind after just two minutes when Seanie O’Connor turned three Magpies’ defenders before giving Michael Quilligan no chance with a low drilled effort into the far corner of the net.

Jimmy Lee’s men were facing a four-point deficit four minutes later when Tipperary inter-county star Colman Kennedy against a strong wind in Thurles.

The west Limerick men, who were playing with the breeze in the opening half, kept Clonmel at bay for the next 26 minutes all while scoring points off their own as county final star Eoin Hurley scored two well-taken frees either side of a superb long-range Byran Nix point. When Hurley slotted over his second free 10 minutes before the break, it was a one-point game.

Two minutes later, Clonmel were temporarily reduced to 14 men when Peter McGarry was shown a black card for the Tipperary champions.

The Magpies failed to fully capitalise on their numerical advantage for the remainder of the half, and clocked up two quick-fire wides, bringing their first half wide tally to four, before Clonmel right half-back burst forward make it a two-point game at the interval with a stoppage time point.

Points from Michael Quinlivan and Fahey had Clonmel Commercials four points ahead inside seven minutes after the restart, but credit to Newcastle West, the men in black and white worked hard and found a way back into the game, despite playing against an increasingly strong wind.

With 11 minutes gone in the second half, towering Newcastle West midfielder Emmet Rigter slotted over a well taken point from close-range to make it a three-point game.

However, it was Clonmel who pulled away in the final quarter, outscoring Newcastle West by 1-2 to just one point in the final 10 minutes to set up a Munster semi-final with Kerry club champions Dingle.

Newcastle West, who were chasing the game at this stage, saw an Ethan Hurley shot blocked before hitting the Magpies on the break as Peter McGarry ran the length of the pitch to put six between the sides five minutes before the end with a superb goal.

Newcastle West had their fair share of possession for here on in and will be left rue a further three wides and it was a fresher Clonmel outfit in the end that ran out victors.

SCORERS – NEWCASTLE WEST: Eoin Hurley 0-2 (0-2 frees), Emmet Rigter, Bryan Nix, Ethan Hurley and Thomas Quilligan (0-1 mark) 0-1 each

SCORERS – CLONMEL COMMERCIALS: Seanie O’Connor and Peter McGarry 1-0 each, Kevin Fahey 0-2, Seamus Kennedy, Padraic Looram, Jack Kennedy (0-1 free), Colman Kennedy and Michael Quinlivan 0-1 each.

NEWCASTLE WEST: Michael Quilligan; Michael O’Keeffe, Darren O’Doherty, Brian O’Sullivan; Ruadhan O’Connor, James Kelly, Michael O’Leary; Emmet Rigter, Sean Murphy; Aaron Neville, Bryan Nix, Steven Brosnan; Lee Woulfe, Mike McMahon, Eoin Hurley.

SUBS: Brian Foley for Brosnan (half-time), Ethan Hurley for McMahon (41 minutes) Thomas Quilligan for Woulfe (45 minutes), Seamus Hurley for James Kelly (49 minutes), Brian Hurley for Neville (60 minutes).

CLONMEL COMMERCIALS: Michael O’Reilly; Tadgh Condon, James Morris, Rory O’Dowd; Kevin Fahey; Séamus Kennedy, Padraic Looram; Cathal Deely, Jack Kennedy; Peter McGarry, Colman Kennedy, Conal Kennedy; Ross Peters, Michael Quinlivan, Seanie O’Connor.

SUBS: Séan Kennedy for Conal Kennedy (half-time), Decky Nee for Peters (45 minutes), Aldo Matassa for O’Connor (57 minutes), Joe Higgins for Colman Kennedy (60 minutes), Tadhg Sheehan for Jack Kennedy (61 minutes)

REFEREE: Chris Maguire (Clare).