Clonakenny 0-13 Drom Inch 1-1

With Club affairs at a low ebb, we entered 1973 more in hope than confidence.
However our team won No. 2 Junior hurling honours by defeating Clonmore, Thurles Fennelly's, Moyne Templetuohy, and finally Drom in the Mid Final.

After a lapse of ten years, Clonakenny regained the Mid Tipperary junior hurling (No. 2) title at Templemore on Sunday by defeating Drom-Inch in a hard tussle.

Clonakenny had the better of the early exchanges but failed to make the most of them due in part to their own shortcomings in attack, but also to the determined defensive play of the Drom-Inch backs. At the other end of the field, Drom's attack made little headway against a solid Clonakenny rearguard.

Turning over 0-7 to 1-1 in front Clonakenny switched Mick Smith to the half-forward line and their fortunes thereafter improved. Both sides lost a player following a first-half incident, but Clonakenny reaped the greater benefit from the extra space available, and in the second half they added six points, Drom failing to raise a flag.

This victory brings Clonakenny back into No. 1 ranks and they should do well there. On Sunday they owed their success to the efforts of such as Mick Smith, John Costigan, Eamon Greed, Peter Byrne, Mick Hennessy and Willie Harty, but mention must also be made of Paddy Crampton, who did not have the best of games on Sunday, but who made a huge contribution to the club's campaign all year.

Clonakenny: L. Crampton, M. Smith, J. Costigan, P. Coady, E. Greed, P.
Crampton, P. Byrne, T. Hennessy, W. Crampton, J. Crampton, M. Hennessy,
O. Crampton, W. Harty, P Treacy, P. Hennessy. Subs: J Hennessy and Paul Hennessy

Extract from “Clonakenny G.A.A 1905-1993” compiled by Peter Byrne.