Sharp Shooting Coolderry reach intermediate final at expense of Shinrone

TWO early goals and a second half no wides saw Coolderry reach the 2024 Intermediate Hurling decider after their 2-25 to 2-19 win over Shinrone in Rath on Sunday.

Molloy Environmental Systems Intermediate Hurling Championship Semi Final

Coolderry 2-25

Shinrone 2-19

Two goals in opening eight minutes, one from a Brian Carroll penalty and first from a first time shot by Ciaran Teehan gave Coolderry the initiative on Sunday: despite hitting 11 first half wides, they managed to drag that tally town 100% in the second half as they converted all their chances. 

Despite two second half goals from Sean Liffey and first from Dan Doughan, and a fantastic second half display from Shane Sampson and James Morkan, Shinrone were always at a bit of an arms reach - they just couldn’t claw their way back into the contest, as the game began to somewhat peter out towards the end, with the game being reduced to a shooting competition.   

Coolderry dominated the early proceedings and held a 2-1 to 0-0 lead after 10 minutes, Kevin Brady flicked the ball across the square, allowing Ciaran Teehan time bury his chance first time, before Owen Connolly’s high ball in found the paw of Brian Carroll before he was dragged down inside the box and duly obliged to slot the penalty home, leaving Shinrone with a lot of work to do early on from the game. It took until the 13th minute for Shinrone to get their opening score of the game, thanks to a close range free from Shane Sampson. Shinrone then had to wait until the 19th minute of the game to get their opening score from play through James Morkan, and he then proceeded to hit their next two moments later, with Conor O’Sullivan also adding to the scoreboard. 

Owen Connolly’s free taking was keeping Coolderry well ahead as well as fine individual scores from Kevin Brady and Brian Carroll who managed to show his football skills in kicking the sliotar over from inside the 13. Shinrone came out fighting in the second period, Shane Sampson was on fire as he was brought further out the field and he was inspiring the Shinrone side with six of their opening seven second half scores. And despite the best efforts of himself and James Morkan who ended with 0-6, and goals late on from Dan Doughan and Sean Liffey, Coolderry kicked on another gear. 

Kevin Brady was sharp in his shooting particularly from distance, Owen Connolly was covering every blade of grass and Brian Carroll was also on point with his shooting. It did become a shooting contest as it reached its conclusion but Coolderry won’t wind as they now look forward to the final in a few weeks time, and credit to Shinrone they did keep fighting until the whistle blew one last time but they were second best on the day. 

These sides will no doubt go at it again next weekend for the Senior A quarter final, and it could be one to look out for. 

MATCH ANALYSIS

MAN OF THE MATCH

Owen Connolly (Coolderry ): Shane Sampson and James Morkan were terrific for Shinrone and kept them in the game, while Dan Doughan caused havoc when thrown in at full forward. 

Brian Carroll did his stuff as we’ve come to expect, Kevin Brady had a strong showing particularly in the second half as did Mark Bergin and Martin Corocoran, while Damien Fletcher also had a solid game alongside his counterparts in the back. 

Owen Connolly was in fantastic form. Free taking was excellent, as well as his overall presence in the midfield and half forward line, ending with a personal tally of 0-9. 

THE SCORERS

Shinrone: Shane Sampson 0-9 (5frees); James Morkan 0-6;  Dan Doughan 1-2 ; Sean Liffey 1-0; Conor O’Sullivan and Conor Cleary (1free) 0-1 each.

Coolderry: Owen Connolly 0-9 (5frees; 1 65); Ciaran Teehan and Brian Carroll 1- 3 (1penalty) each ; Kevin Brady 0-5; Mark Bergin 0-2; Declan Parlon, Shane Connolly and Cathal Parlon 0-1 each. 

THE TEAMS

Shinrone: Conor Cleary; Paul Simpson; Eoin Cleary; Colin O’Meara; Denis Coonan; Daniel Doughan; Shane Carroll; Patrick Sammon; James Ormond; Cian Maher; Sean Liffey; James Morkan; Liam O Regan; Conor O’Sullivan; Shane Sampson . Subs–Liam Clohessy for Maher (47m); Eoin Egan for O Regan (52m); Ger Egan for Carroll (61m); Aaron Brereton for Liffey (61m); Sam Young for O’Sullivan (61m) .

Coolderry: Conor Bergin; Charlie Hogan; Trevor Corcoran; Damien Fletcher; Cathal Burke; Declan Parlon; Marc Ryan; Mark Bergin; Owen Connolly Shane Connolly; Martin Corcoran (Capt); Joe Larkin; Brian Carroll; Kevin Brady; Ciaran Teehan. Subs- Cathal Parlon for Larkin (40m); Paddy Maher for Ryan (48m); Darren Dooley for Hogan (54m); Brian Larkin for Corcoran(54m)   . 

REFEREE WATCH

Declan Cooke had a standard game in the middle of the park, allowed the game to flow at the best possible chances, and there weren't any bad strokes pulled or anything that could have forced him into the book. It was a very clean game. 

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

It was more the period between the 40th and 50th minute in which pretty much killed the game as a contest as Coolderry hit 10 scores without missing and truly finished it off to seal their place in the final and some of the scores on hand were very well taken. 

VENUE WATCH

Rath hosted this game and it was in good knick and plenty of parking on display. 

WHAT'S NEXT

Coolderry head to the final, while Shinrone’s season is completed. 

STATISTICS

Wides: Shinrone –5  (2  in first half, 3 in 2nd half); Coolderry – 11  ( 11 in first half, 0 in 2nd half).

Yellow cards: Shinrone - (0) ; Coolderry – (1) Declan Parlon

Black cards: 0.

Red cards: Shinrone– (0 ); Coolderry – (0).