Coolderry pushed hard to grind out win and qualify for quarter-finals

COOLDERRY were pushed very hard by a brave, very hard working Tullamore before grinding out the win and securing qualification to at least the quarter-finals of the Senior Hurling Championship in Kinnitty on Saturday evening – a win over title favourites Kilcormac-Killoughey in their last group game next Sunday will earn them top spot in the group and a semi-final berth.

Molloy Environmental Systems Senior Hurling Championship Group 2 Round 4

Coolderry 0-21

Tullamore 1-14

St Rynagh's were also smiling after this result in Kinnitty while Seir Kieran were big losers in addition to Tullamore. Seir Kieran had a fantastic shock win over St Rynagh's on Friday evening but needed Tullamore to win this to have a real chance of qualification. Even if Seir Kieran beat Tullamore next weekend and Kilcormac-Killoughey are too strong for Coolderry, resulting in Seir Kieran, Coolderry and St Rynagh's tying on four points for two quarter-final spots, Seir Kieran will be gone on scoring difference and Rynagh's and Coolderry will be through. St Rynagh's will still bow out if Coolderry beat Kilcormac-Killoughey and Seir Kieran defeat Tullamore but this results shortens the odds of them making it.

It means that the losers of Seir Kieran and Tullamore will be in the relegation play off. You had to admire the battling qualities displayed by Tullamore here. They toiled so honestly, gave it everything they had and ensured a very uncomfortable evening for Coolderry but ran out of steam and ideas in the closing quarter. The underdogs were not far away but at the same time, there was never a moment here where we truly thought an upset was on the cards and Coolderry's win was a bit more convincing that the final scoreline indicates as the Tullamore goal from Aaron Leavy was a lucky enough one and came too late to change the outcome. That 61^st minute goal did reduce arrears to a goal but a closing free from Eoin Burke got Coolderry across the line and into the knockout stages.

This was a very decent, competitive, enjoyable, fiercely fought game of hurling. No quarter was asked or given and everything was hard earned.

Playing against the wind in the first half, Coolderry looked like they would saunter to an easy win after storming into a 0-7 to 0-1 lead after 12 minutes. They were clearly the better team in this period and Tullamore did very well to turn the tide. They managed to do this thanks to getting their work rate right and the effectiveness of Dan Fox as an extra defender.

Coolderry really struggled to break down the Tullamore defence after that bright start and four points in a row brought the losers right back into it. Two frees from Shane Dooley, who performed really well in the first half, levelled up the score at 0-9 each at the break and even though they were against the wind in the second half, Tullamore were very happy to be in that position.

Tullamore got three of the first four points to lead by 0-12 to 0-10 four minutes into the second half but Coolderry's response was exactly what manager Brian Carroll wanted. They got on top in most sectors and as the half wore on, their hurling was that bit crisper than Tullamore's.

They got a run of four points to lead by 0-14 to 0-12 after 45 minutes and never looked like losing after this. Sub Ger Treacy got a super point to bring the gap back to one but Coolderry got another run of four points to lead by 0-18 to 0-13 after 53 minutes and it was a done deal. They were 0-20 to 0-14 ahead going into injury time when Aaron Leavy got a flick to Brian Hogan's shot from out on the left wing to give Tullamore a very tender lifeline – Coolderry defended well after that and Burke's free sealed the deal.

MATCH ANALYSIS

MAN OF THE MATCH

Eoghan Parlon (Coolderry): A few contenders on both sides but the choice is Coolderry wing back Eoghan Parlon. He made a few mistakes but made up for it with a terrifically hard working and diligent display. He was physical and won hard ball. He used a lot of it, though not all of it, well and he was particularly influential when Tullamore asked searching questions in the second quarter.

Goalkeeper Stephen Corcoran and forward Eoin Burke were also considered for Coolderry with Burke doing really well, converting his frees and getting some important scores from play. Corcoran got some great long range frees and '65s, as well as making good saves. He was flawless apart from the Tullamore goal – though Leavy's touch may have wrong footed him -, while David King exerted his customary influence for Coolderry.

For Tullamore, Shane Dooley was excellent for forty minutes or so before his age began to show while Dan Fox had a great game for them, first as an extra defender and then in a more conventional role back there. Cillian Bourke was great at times in their defence while Cormac Egan put in a great shift, winning ball out of rucks and electrifying the crowd with some searing runs, even if the end product was not always there.

THE SCORERS

Coolderry: Eoin Burke 0-8 (5f), Stephen Corcoran 0-5 (3f and 2 '65s'), Daniel Miller 0-3, Kevin Connolly 0-2, William Malone, Andy Connolly and Gearoid McCormack 0-1 each.

Tullamore: Shane Dooley 0-9 (9f), Aaron Leavy 1-0, Michael Feeney, Cormac Martin, Cormac Egan, James Houlihan, Ger Treacy 0-1 each.

THE TEAMS

COOLDERRY: Stephen Corcoran; Stephen Connolly, Billy Burke, Stephen Burke; Eoghan Parlon, David King, Cian Burke; Conor Molloy, William Malone; Gearoid McCormack, Eoin Ryan, Shane Ryan; Eoin Burke, Kevin Connolly, Daniel Miller. Subs – Andy Connolly for McCormack (43m), Ajay Cleary for Eoin Ryan (54m), Conor Hogan for Shane Ryan (57m).

TULLAMORE: Paul Kelly; Jack Daly Dylan Hensey;, Kevin Waters; Aaron Leavy, Michael Feeney, Cillian Bourke; Niall Furlong, Cormac Martin, Cillian Martin, Shane Dooley, James Houlihan; Dan Fox, Cormac Egan, Mike Fox. Subs – Ger Treacy for Cillian Martin (HT), Niall Houlihan for Waters (51m), Ger Crowe for Cormac Martin (52m), Brian Hogan for Furlong (59m).

Referee – David McLoughlin, Shinrone.

REFEREE WATCH

It was a tough, physical game to referee and David McLoughlin got plenty of complaints from the Tullamore sideline in particular. The Tullamore sideline were a bit too vocal in the first half and while some of their complaints had definite justification, others didn't. A few people from the Tullamore sideline ran out to contest one decision coming up to half time and while it was a wrong call, that didn't look good. In fairness to the referee, he consulted with his linesman, Adam Kinahan and overturned the decision, throwing the ball in. He also showed a yellow card to Tullamore manager Edwin Finnerty.

That proved to be a turning point for both. The Tullamore sideline seemed to quieten down after this while there were also less contentious calls as the game wore on and the referee became a more peripheral influence. There was a lot going on here, physical challenges, hard hits, taps on the hand with the hurl and it was far from easy to referee. McLoughlin did very well to get to grips with it as the game could easily have drifted away from him. He showed cards when needed and was clearly trying to do the right thing.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

There was no big moment as such but twice in the second half, Coolderry got a run of four points without reply and these enabled them to win.

VENUE WATCH

The Kinnitty pitch was in excellent condition and the fixture was very well hosted.

WHAT'S NEXT

Coolderry play Kilcormac-Killoughey while Tullamore meet Seir Kieran in round 5.

STATISTICS

Wides: Coolderry – 12 (4 in first half); Tullamore – 4 (3 in first half).

Yellow cards: Coolderry – 3 (David King, Cian Burke, Kevin Connolly); Tullamore – 2 (James Houlihan and Ger Treacy).

Red cards: 0.