Coolderry finish powerfully to end Shinrone's great run in drama packed quarter-final

COOLDERRY finished powerfully to beat local rivals Shinrone in a rip roaring Senior Hurling Championship quarter-final in Birr on Sunday afternoon.

Molloy Precast and Environmental Systems Senior Hurling Championship quarter-final

Coolderry 3-20

Shinrone 2-17

Coolderry's reward is a semi-final against favourites Kilcormac-Killoughey while Ballinamere meet St Rynagh's in the other one.

It was a great win by Coolderry, who were so fired up and worked themselves to the bone all over the field. It was nowhere near as clearcut as the final scoereline indicates but Coolderry deserved to win. The sides were level at 2-16 each with five minutes left and it could have swung either way at this stage.

It all hinged on a 55^th minute Coolderry goal, netted by impressive sub Gearoid McCormack after the returning Killian Sampson could only bat the ball into his path. With victory within touching distance, Coolderry were relentless. A free from goalkeeper Stephen Corcoran and a fine Shinrone point from Paul Cleary left a goal in it with three minutes left but Coolderry were excellent in the remaining time – four minutes of injury time were played.

Andrew Connolly, Daniel Miller and the outstanding Kevin Connolly floated over lovely points as the clouds finally came over Shinrone's golden two years in the sun – they won their first championship in 2022 and were beaten by Kilcormac-Killoughey in the final last year.

This was a hugely enjoyable game of hurling. It was played with the intensity that you would expect from two neighbouring clubs who know each other well and brought all the rivalry that this entails to the table.

The first half in particular was played at a breakneck pace with loads of good hurling and no shortage of drama. The half time scoreline read 2-10 to 2-8 in favour of Shinrone and that reflects how action packed it all was.

There was four great goals scored but it could very easily have been eight. Shinrone's drew first blood with a great finish from DJ McLoughlin after a Paul Cleary pass in the 11^th minute to give them a 1-3 to 0-5 lead. Coolderry hit back immediately with an equally good goal from the on fire Kevin Connolly, as he slotted home a Danioel Miller passs.

We barely had time to gather our breath when Coolderry got their second three minutes later, Andrew Connolly finishing after Eamonn Cleary made a great save from his first shot to give Coolderry a 2-5 to 1-4 lead.

Coolderry were marginally the better team at this stage and they led by 2-7 to 1-6 with the half ticking away. Shinrone did well to get their noses in front from here with the lead goal coming two minutes into injury time. It was worth the trip to Birr alone, a fantastic finish by Paul Cleary after a delightful build up involving Eoin Bailey-O'Brien and Killian Sampson, whose return from a long injury lay off gave such a boost to Shinrone.

There were other goal chances in the first half. Adrian Cleary didn't connect properly with a great chance in the second minute while Paul Cleary was wide with a clear opportunity in the 20^th minute, though the excellent Jason Sampson could and perhaps should have taken on the shot himself instead of passing. At the other end, Coolderry often threatened to breach the Shinrone rearguard when high ball went in and the losers had to resort to some heart attack defending to keep them out.

The second half was not quite as fast and exciting but you could never let your eyes drift for one second. It remained nip and tuck until that fantastic Coolderry finish. Donal Morkan's point put Shinrone two ahead early on but Coolderry got three without reply to lead by 2-12 to 2-11 after 38 minutes.

After Paul Cleary and Stephen Corcoran (free) exchanged points, Shinrone found what looked a decisive head of steam. Morkan got a free and Paul Cleary and DJ McLoughlin floated over points to put them 2-15 to 2-13 clear with twelve minutes left.

That was a nice lead at this stage but Coolderry did really well to find another gear. A super Kevin Connolly point and another Corcoran free had them level with ten minutes left. Both sides had real goal chances in the next minute. Jason Sampson over played ball after superbly breaking the line while Kevin Connolly hit the side netting at the other end..

When the dust settled on these, Coolderry turned the screw spectacularly. Andrew Connolly gave them the lead but Jason Sampson equalised after great Dara Maher work. All square with five minutes left, it could have swung either way but McCormack's goal ignited Coolderry's victory charge as they got a win that means so much to them.

MATCH ANALYSIS

MAN OF THE MATCH

Kevin Connolly (Coolderry): Kevin Connolly has to get the nod for a great attacking display. He was full of movement, very skilful on the ball and 1-2 from play was a very important contribution. Full back, Billy Burke was also considered as he won some inspiring ball and delivered relieving clearances while Cian Molloy had a great game out the field and Andrew Connolly also went very well in a lively attack, also scoring 1-2 as well as missing a couple of chances.

Shinrone also had plenty of contenders. DJ McLoughlin had another very good day in their attack – it has been his best year for Shinrone and he got 1-3. Jason Sampson showed great leadership in their attack, really stepping forward and the only downside was that he didn't get a goal, despite having clear sight of the net twice. Dara Maher impressed in defence while Paul Cleary was also super in their attack but overall, Shinrone ran out of steam and on reflection, this day had been coming this year.

They started slowly and then found their form but they only briefly found the real cutting form of recent years this season and didn't manage to produce that consistently. The injury to Killian Sampson was a factor and while Adrian Cleary returned home from Australia, he wasn't in the same form as the last two years. It has, however, been a tremendous two years for them, their achievements have brought the Offaly club scene to life and hopefully this defeat represents just a temporary jolt and not something more permanent.

THE SCORERS

Coolderry:, Stephen Corcoran 0-6 (5f and 1 '65'), Daniel Miller 0-5 (2f), Kevin Connolly and Andrew Connolly 1-2 each, Cian Burke 0-2, Eoghan Parlon, William Malone and Ajay Cleary 0-1 each.

Shinrone: DJ McLoughlin 1-3, Donal Morkan 0-5 (4f), Paul Cleary 1-3, Jason Sampson 0-3, Eamonn Cleary (f), Sean Cleary and Killian Sampson 0-1 each.

THE TEAMS

SHINRONE: Eamonn Cleary; Peter Cleary, Darragh Landy, Luke Watkins, Killian Sampson, Michael Cleary, Dara Maher; Adrian Cleary, Joe Cleary; Sean Cleary, Donal Morkan, DJ McLoughlin; Paul Cleary, Eoin Bailey-O'Brien, Jason Sampson. Subs – Gearoid Maher for Peter Cleary (42m), Declan Cleary for Sean Cleary (49m), James Liffey for Adrian Cleary (54m), Dan Doughan for Joe Cleary (57m).

COOLDERRY: Stephen Corcoran; Stephen Connolly, Billy Burke, Stephen Burke; Eoghan Parlon, David King, Conor Molloy; Cian Burke, William Malone; Ajay Cleary, Eoin Ryan, Shane Ryan; Kevin Connolly, Andrew Connolly, Daniel Miller. Subs – Gearoid McCormack for Eoin Ryan (45m), Conor Hogan for Shane Rhan (50m), James Tooher for Malone (59m).

Referee – Joey Deehan (Clara).

REFEREE WATCH

Joey Deehan had a very good game. He didn't award soft frees and let it run but was always in control and on top of things. A Shinrone mentor got a red card after the final whistle for comments he made.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Gearoid McCormack's 55^th minute goal was the decisive moment here.

VENUE WATCH

This local derby clash attracted a lot of interest in that wider area and there was a great atmosphere in Birr. The pitch held up well and there were no issues.

WHAT'S NEXT

Coolderry play Kilcormac-Killoughey in the semi-finals.

STATISTICS

Wides: Shinrone - 9 (5 in first half); Coolderry – 6 (5 in first half).

Yellow cards: Coolderry – 0; Shinrone – 1 (Michael Cleary).

Red cards: 0.