Super all round display gives Carrig-Riverstown deserved win

A HEROIC all round team performance with every player contributing saw Carrig-Riverstown capture the Intermediate Hurling Championship title with a deserved win over Coolderry in O'Cnnor Park on Saturday.

Molloy Environmental Systems Intermediate Hurling Championship final

Carrig-Riverstown 1-20

Coolderry 2-11

They didn't have everything their own way with Coolderry offering typical resistance and resilience but there was no disputing the superiority of Carrig-Riverstown, the merit of their win over the hour plus.

They moved that bit more fluently, enjoyed a much greater share of possession and looked like winning from early in the day, even if there was a brief second half spell when it threatened to unravel for them. The final scoreline of 1-20 to 2-11 was a fair reflection of the way this game went. Coolderry were game, they made life difficult for them and they asked questions but Carrig-Riverstown played a lot of the hurling and were six points the better team.

Carrig-Riverstown won because of their all round tenacity and perseverance.They didn't get rattled when things went wrong, when Coolderry hit them hard. They stuck to their game plan and they had heroes all over the field, a ferocious work rate that saw them eventually strangle the life out of Coolderry.

The Tipperary-Offaly border side have been clearly the best side over the course of the championship. They won all their games and they carried that form into the final when the pressure was at its most intense as they did what they needed to do. A ferocious work rate was instrumental in Carrig-Rivertown's win and while Coolderry had no shortage of desire or will power, they had a few veteran players, ones with loads of senior experience and the winners had a marked edge in legs and fitness.

It was a very goodm, enjoyable, competitive final with plenty of quality hurling to go with the work rate. Coolderry had first use of the wind but trailed by 0-12 to 1-7 at half time. While they still had a chance, they were in serious trouble at half time. Long time Offaly and Coolderry senior stalwart Kevin Brady had been instrumental in them being alive and kicking at that stage.

Playing in full forward, he was a real handful for C-R, scoring 1-2 of their 1-7 and he might have got more had Coolderry delivered in more ball into him instead of hitting harmless wides. C-R didn't get the reward that some of their movement deserved in the first half. They looked like getting in for goals from an early stage, engineering a handful of half chances and at least a couple of these could have ended in the net.

The winners were 0-3 to 0-1 ahead after 10 minutes and Coolderry then produced their best hurling. They got 1-3 without reply with Brady getting the goal in the 14th minute, batting a rebound to the net after his first effort was saved by Shane O'Brien. They were 1-5 to 0-4 ahead a minute later but C-R got well on top in the second quarter. Their full forward line of Conor McDowell, Daniel England and Lee Hogan struggled to make the ball stick to them for a while but C-R were on top out the field.

They began to pick off points from distance with the scores from Brendan Hoctor and Conor McDowell the pick of the bunch and that two point half time lead had them in a strong position with the wind to come.

They finally got the goal they deserved in the 31st minute and it was worth the wait as Conor McDowell finished superly after racing into open space. Very impressive sub Conor Freeman and Brendan Hoctor (free) put them 1-15 to 1-7 ahead after 38 minutes and C-R looked like they would pull away.

Coolderry battled back into it with customary determination, forcing C-R to make mistakes and spill the ball. Sub Liam Brophy, who also did well off the bench, got in for a 39th minute goal and they got four of the next five points to trail by just two, 1-16 to 2-11 after 49 minutes.

There was more than enough to worry C-R and it was squeaky bum time but a crucial David Egan point settled Coolderry.

Brendan Hoctor missed a straightforward free but made quick amends with a sensational point from play and it all had an air of inevitability from here as Coolderry ran out of steam, failing to score again. C-R added only two points but they concentrated very well on the basics and never looked like losing late on.

MATCH ANALYSIS

MAN OF THE MATCH

Brendan Hoctor (Carrig-Riverstown): Several players made their mark for Carrig-Riverstown at different stages. Joe Hoctor was immense in the first half when Coolderry were so competitive, winning crucial ball and his county U-20 team mate, Cathal King put in a great shift at midfield. Dylan Hogan, Patrick Bergin, Peter King and David Egan put in a lot of hard yards, did a lot of good hurling for the winners. The choice is Brendan Hoctor, a brother of Joe. He was excellent most of the day as C-R channeled a lot of ball through him at centre forward. He got crucial scores, took over the free taking duties when the lively Lee Hogan went off at half time, worked hard and after he missed an easy one, he had the character to fire over a great one from play after it. Kevin Brady was Coolderry's most influential player but they couldn't get him on the ball in the second half while Declan Parlon battled manfully on Brendan Hoctor, who moved all over the place.

THE SCORERS

Carrig-Riverstown: Brendan Hoctor 0-7 (3f), Conor McDowell 1-1, Lee Hogan 0-4 (3f), Cathal King, Joe Hoctor and David Egan 0-2 each, Peter King and Conor Freeman 0-1 each.

Coolderry: Kevin Brady 1-2, Martin Corcoran 0-5 (5f), Liam Brophy 1-0, Darren Dooley, Mark Bergin, Owen Connolly and Shane Connolly 0-1 each.

THE TEAMS

CARRIG-RIVERSTOWN: Shane O'Brien; Thomas Hogan, Ross Connauhton, Dylan Hogan; Cathal Hanlon, Patrick Bergin, Michael Fitzgerald; Cathal King, Peter King; Joe Hoctor, Brendan Hoctor, David Egan; Conor McDowell, Daniel England, Lee Hogan. Subs – Conor Freeman for Lee Hogan (HT), Kian McDowell fore Thomas Hogan (58m), Mark O'Brien for England (62m), John Hanlon for Peter King (62m).

COOLDERRY: James Gannon; Liam Miller, Trevor Corcoran, Charlie Hogan; Conor Hogan, Declan Parlon, Darren Dooley; Mark Bergin, Damien Fletcher; Owen Connolly, Martin Corcoran,Shane Connolly; Ciaran Teehan, Kevin Brady, Joe Malone. Subs – Liam Brophy for Malone (HT), Kevin Teehan for Miller (37m), Joe Larkin for Ciaran Teehan (58m), Seamus Hogan for Dooley (58m).

Referee – David McLoughlin.

REFEREE WATCH

David McLoughlin refereed it very well. He was observant, fair and quickly dealt with any flashes of indiscipline - the fact that all the yellow cards went to Coolderry is because they were more physical. He could have given Coolderry's Charlie Hogan a second yellow 12 minutes into the second half but gave him the benefit of the doubt and a brief lecture. A very solid display by the man in the middle and he consulted well with his officials.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Conor McDowell's excellent goal at the start of the second half was crucial and without it, C-R would have been in a dogfight right to the end, one that they could have got bitten in.

VENUE WATCH

O'Connor Park has had a busy schedule recently between underage and adult games. The pitch is for playing on but with plenty of rainfall this year, it did show some signs of wear and tear near the stand sideline. Having said, it was in very good condition and was ideal for hurling.

WHAT'S NEXT

Carrig-Riverstown are at home to the Westmeath champions in the Leinster Club Junior Hurling Championship on October 28.

STATISTICS

Wides: Carrig-Riverstown - 11 (5 in first half); Coolderry – 7 (6 in first half).

Yellow cards: C-R – 0; Coolderry – 4 (Charlie Hogan, Damien Fletcher, Kevin Brady and Joe Malone).

Red cards: 0.