Carroll introduction pivotal as Coolderry pushed to the wire by battling Carrig-Riverstown

THE introduction of former county star Brian Carroll just before half time was decisive as Coolderry just barely got the better of a very decent Carrig-Riverstown in a compelling Division 5 Hurling League final at Shinrone on Saturday.

Division 5 Hurling League final

Coolderry 1-18

Carrig-Riverstown 1-14

Manager of Coolderry senior hurlers, Carroll was late arriving to Shinrone as they were playing a challenge earlier in the afternoon and he came on in the 26^th minute.

At that stage, the sides were level at 0-8 each in a real end to end dogfight of a game played in tricky, wet conditions. He got a point but without doing anything special at that stage, Carroll's presence galvanised his team mates, who noticeably picked up their efficiency levels, as they struck three without reply to lead by 0-11 to 0-8 at the break.

Before that, there had been almost nothing between the teams. They were level on eight occasions in the first half and only Carrig-Riverstown managed to put scores back to back once – those points from Mike Keane and Willie Gleeson (free) gave them a 0-3 to 0-2 lead after eight minutes. Coolderry could only manage consecutive scores once in the opening 25 minutes, strikes from Martin Corcoran (free) and Kevin Larkin putting them 0-6 to 0-5 ahead after 19 minutes.

The first half was very enjoyable, hard hitting and honest and with plenty of good hurling thrown into the mix. They were so evenly matched, it was almost hard to believe but Carroll changed things.

Finishing out a great long career in lower grade hurling, his influence was also considerable in the second half as he added 1-4 to a 1-5 tally, one point coming from a free after Coolderry ran into free taking trouble with the bustling Martin Corcoran missing a couple.

Coolderry were far from a one man team and were ever so slightly better on the day but they probably would have lost without Carroll coming on.

Having lost the Division 2 Hurling League final to Kilcormac-Killoughey on Friday evening, Carrig-Riverstown will be very disappointed at a second loss but as a club, they are clearly in good health. Both clubs had big panels here and Carrig-Riverstown played with a level of heart and effort that is becoming their trademark.

They were not far away from the win here, staging a terrific late recovery to get back into it. Coolderry looked like they would have enough to win for much of the second half. They got 0-13 to 0-9 clear after 39 minutes and held a 0-14 to 0-10 and 0-15 to 0-11 lead after this as they turned the screw. They didn't put their opponents away, missing some good chances and Carrig-Riverstown finally got the goal they had been threatening in the 49^th minute.

John Cashen had a good chance in the 38^th minute with James Gannon keeping out his batted shot but their goal was worth the trip to Shinrone alone, a sensational strike from Mike Keane after C-R broke forward powerfully.

Suddenly the gap was only a point and Carrig-Riverstown almost got a second goal when Shane Collins was just wide. The hard working Collins levelled it up in the 52^nd minute but Coolderry did well to find another gear. Centre back Charlie Hogan settled them with a great point from out the field and Brian Carroll stepped up to the plate when needed – he tapped over a free and pushed them three clear with a quality point.

C-R kept fighting and pushing. A Sean Connaughton '65' and John Cashen point got the gap back to a point in injury time but they didn't have a chance of an equaliser and instead Coolderry clinched it with a Carroll goal in the 63^rd minute, brilliantly set up by Seamus Hogan.

MATCH ANALYSIS

MAN OF THE MATCH

Charlie Hogan (Coolderry): Brian Carroll's influence was obvious and Coolderry had a few players that performed at a high level, including Brian Kelly, Seamus Hogan, Mark Bergin, Brian Larkin and the excellent Joe Malone. The choice is centre half back Charlie Hogan. He won and cleared a lot of ball at the heart of the defence, was accurate with most clearances and also got an inspirational point when Coolderry needed one inside the closing quarter.

Carrig-Riverstown had a lot of players who were very solid and steady, and it almost won the day for them as Coolderry were a bit more dependant on individuals. Eoin Sullivan, Tadgh Sullivan, Timmy Carey, Mike Keogh and Willie Gleeson were among the players who impressed at different stages.

THE SCORERS,

Coolderry: Brian Carroll 1-5 (1f), Martin Corcoran 0-4 (4f), Joe Malone 0-3, Mark Bergin and Kevin Larkin 0-2 each, Charlie Hogan and Seamus Hogan 0-1 each.

Carrig-Riverstown: Willie Gleeson 0-6 (5f), Mike Keane 1-2, Shane Collins 0-2, Sean Connaughton ('65'), Timmy Carey, Canice Stephenson, John Cashen 0-1 each.

THE TEAMS

COOLDERRY: James Gannon; Sean Murphy, Trevor Corcoran, Brian Kelly; Adam Kennedy, Charlie Hogan, Mark Murphy; Seamus Hogan, Mark Bergin; Paul Hensey, Brian Larkin, Darren Dooley; Kevin Larkin, Martin Corcoran, Joe Malone. Subs – Brian Carroll for Mark Murphy (26m), Brian Fletcher for Kevin Larkin (57m).

CARRIG-RIVERSTOWN: Shane O'Brien; Sean Connaughton, Eoin Sullivan, Cathal Hanlon; Dan England, Tadgh Sullivan, Mark Reidy; Canice Stephenson, Timmy Carey; Mike Keane, Willie Gleeson, Eoin King; Shane Collins, John Cashen, Paddy King. Subs – Mark Hogan for Paddy King (HT), Kieran O'Brien for Reidy (45m), Eoin Smith for Eoin King (60m).

Referee – David McLoughlin (Shinrone).

REFEREE WATCH

David McLoughlin had a very solid game. Both teams contested decisions over the hour but he was fair and focused on doing what he had to do. A couple more cards could have been shown but he allowed for the conditions. He also had a full quota of officials with Carrig-Riverstown supplying one – and he gave Coolderry the option of tossing for that if they wished, one they didn't take.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Brian Carroll's introduction before half time was the decisive moment here.

VENUE WATCH

The Shinrone pitch held up very well in wet, slippy conditions and they hosted the game with great professionalism.

WHAT'S NEXT

Both sides now look forward to the championship.

STATISTICS

Wides: Coolderry – 9 (6 in first half), Carrig-Riverstown – 11 (5 in first half).

Yellow cards: Coolderry – 2 (Charlie Hogan and Joe Malone); Carrig-Riverstown – 0.

Red cards: 0.