Coolderry on fire in the opening round as they record huge win over Ballinamere 

COOLDERRY have pulled off a superb win in the opening round of the Molloy Precast & Environmental Systems Offaly Senior Hurling Championship as they recorded a 2-22 to 2-14 win away to last season’s finalists Ballinamere.

Molloy Precast & Environmental Systems Offaly Senior Hurling Championship Group 1 Round 1

Coolderry 2-22

Ballinamere 2-14

Brian Carroll's charges were the better side over the course of the 60 minutes and looked hungry right from the off when Shane Guinan threw the ball in. Eoin Burke finished the game with 0-11 and looked every inch the key figure in the full forward line. Daniel Miller was introduced in the 51st minute and he made the biggest difference in the end as he had a goal after less than a minute on the field before firing over another 2-1 over the next 20 minutes.

Ballinamere will be disappointed to have ended up on the losing side as they went into the game as favourites and while they won’t panic due to it being the opening round, the next round is away to O’Brien Park in Tullamore and they cannot perform like they did here in Tullamore in two weeks time. 

Coolderry were the hungrier looking side and made the right decisions in how they used the ball, never panicked and took their chances as evidenced by the fact that they they had four less wides than their opponents and with the fact that they also outscored Ballinamere 2-11 to 2-7 from play. 

Brian Duignan started for his side after only arriving back in the country a few days ago and as expected he was well marked throughout the game and did some nice things even with the pressure on him from the Coolderry backs. 

Dan Bourke’s goal at the start of the second half was a huge moment and it looked like the moment that would kick start Ballinamere and they would start hurling from there, but Coolderry were having none of it and pushed on further with the likes of Cian Burke, Shane Ryan and William Malone all stepped up massively. 

Ballinamere only scored 1-3 from play during the opening 30 minutes and Aaron Maher was certainly on song as he scored a fantastic solo goal to fire a shot past Stephen Corcoran in goal to add to his two points earlier on, but aside from a well taken point from Bourke, Ballinamere couldn’t make the most of their chances as they ended the first half with eight wides. Coolderry missed some big chances too, but they did give a great account of themselves as they worked very hard at the back and worked the ball out with great confidence, as Eoin Burke landed some scores from real tricky angles both from play and placed balls. 

Stephen Corcoran was also doing well in goal as he pulled off a wonderful save from Aaron Maher from closer range, and Coolderry were seemingly inspired by his presence in goal with the south Offaly club pucking over the final four points of the first half to take a slender lead into the break. 

Dan Bourke’s well taken left sided low driven effort at the start of the second 30 minutes, looked to have been a turning point for Ballinamere to kick on, but Coolderry had other ideas with Shane Ryan striking two points and Kevin Connolly being rewarded for his hard work during the first half with two points of his own.

Daniel Miller was introduced and no sooner was he on the field was the ball in the back of the net after some lovely work in the build up, Kevin Connolly found Miller in space and he made no mistake to give his side a four point advantage and after three previous goal chances which they should have taken, Brian Carroll and his management team would have been relieved and satisfied to have finally hit a knockout punch to Ballinamere.

Miller’s second goal came seven minutes later, just moments after he hit two points in the space of three minutes, to add to fellow substitute Shane Connolly’s point. 

Ballinamere kept pushing but couldn’t match the energy of Coolderry and this result sets group one up really nicely for the second round of games in two weeks time.

MATCH ANALYSIS

MAN OF THE MATCH

Eoin Burke (Coolderry): The full back line for Coolderry, in particular Stephen Connolly, were fantastic today. The half back line of David King, Conor Molloy and William Malone were so controlling and the impact of Daniel Miller off the bench with 2-2 in the final 10 minutes was truly unbelievable. 

Eoin Burke stood out for his work rate, his fluidity with the ball, his points from play were outstanding and his free taking was on point especially with the wind against him at times. He was the big difference maker with 0-11. Kevin Connolly also was magnificent with his work rate, ability to get through his man and setting up the first goal.  

On what was a tough day for Ballinamere, Dan Bourke was the real stand out figure. The Offaly star scored 1-3 from play and while his teammates struggled with Coolderry, he stood up when needed and he took his goal really well against Corcoran in nets. 

THE SCORERS

Ballinamere: Brian Duignan (6frees, 1 65) 0-7, Dan Bourke 1-3, Aaron Maher 1-2, Darragh Wyer and Stephen Doran 0-1 each.

Coolderry: Eoin Burke (9frees) 0-11, Daniel Miller 2-2, Shane Ryan and Kevin Connolly 0-2 each, Eoin Ryan, Eoghan Parlon, Gearoid McCormack, Shane Connolly and Andy Connolly 0-1 each.

THE TEAMS

Coolderry: Stephen Corcoran; Stephen Connolly, Stephen Burke, Ajay Cleary; Conor Molloy, David King, William Malone; Cian Burke, Eoin Ryan; Eoghan Parlon (C), Kevin Connolly, Gearoid McCormack; Eoin Burke, Shane Ryan, Andy Connolly. Subs– Shane Connolly for McCormack (45m), Daniel Miller for Connolly (50m) .

Ballinamere: Mark Troy; Chris McDonald, Ciaran Burke (C), Ronan Cleary; Jack Fogarty, Ross Ravenhill, Sam Bourke; Conor Wyer, David Magner; Mike O’Brien, Dan Bourke, Darragh Wyer; Aaron Maher, Brian Duignan, Stephen Doran. Subs– Luke Wyer for O’Brien (45m), Eoin Boland for McDonald (49m), James Scully for Wyer (57m).

Referee – Shane Guinan, Drumcullen.

REFEREE WATCH

Shane Guinan took charge of this game and kept it flowing whenever he could and made the important calls that were necessary and wasn’t afraid to dish out the cards towards the end of the game either. 

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Daniel Miller’s 51st minute goal just seconds after being introduced was the biggest turning point in the game. He was found expertly by Kevin Connolly and he made no mistake in burying his effort past Mark Troy and it was the juggernaut that Coolderry needed to kick on and see the game out in the final 10 minutes.

VENUE WATCH

For the Ballinamere venue on Saturday afternoon, it was a beautiful afternoon for hurling and it was great for a home game to be played for the club as it will be for Coolderry. Coolderry will get the opportunity to host their game in two weeks time. There were plenty of stewards on board, a shop open and all around the match held to a high regard. 

WHAT'S NEXT

Ballinamere face Tullamore in round two, while Coolderry take on Seir Kieran. 

STATISTICS

Wides: Ballinamere – 14 ( 8 in first half); Coolderry – 10 ( 7 in first half).

Yellow cards: Ballinamere - (1) Eoin Boland; Coolderry  – (2) Cian Burke and Shane Connolly

Red cards: 0