Hungrier Carrig-Riverstown have too much scoring power for understrength Clodiagh Gaels

A HUNGRIER Carrig-Riverstown had too much fire power for Clodiagh Gaels in the Senior “B” Hurling Championship opener on Saturday evening.

Molloy Precast and Environmental Systems Senior “B” Hurling Championship Round 1

Carrig-Riverstown 2-18

Clodiagh Gaels 0-16

The 2-18 to 0-16 final scoreline was a fair reflection of the superiority of Carrig-Riverstown and they looked likely winners almost from the throw in.

Clodiagh Gaels were missing a good few players who will feature in this campaign later in the year and they performed poorly on the day, making too many mistakes and way too dependant on Liam Langton for scores.

The experienced Langton certainly couldn't be accused of not being up for it as he shot eleven of the Killeigh-Killurin combinations' 16 points, six of them from play. Just three other players got on the scoresheet and for the losers and apart from Langton, they struggled to break down a very good Carrig-Riverstown defence the whole day.

In contrast, Carrig-Riverstown had a much healthier spread of scores. Nine of their players contributed to their tally, five of the forwards, one midfielder and three defenders. That came primarily because they went in that bit harder for the ball and brought more intensity to the table.

At the same time, a first round win in a six team championship with the top four qualifying for the semi-finals will never define either club's year. Clodiagh Gaels have ample time to recover and you would expect both to make the semi-finals – you do have to perform in the group but knockout hurling will dictate the year.

The win does give Carrig-Riverstown leeway now, it reduces Clodiagh Gaels' margin for error and the winners were full value for it.

While Liam Langton flew from the start for Clodiagh Gaels, Carrig-Riverstown hit the ground running and were 0-4 to 0-2 ahead when Andrew Coakley broke through for an excellent 12^th minute goal. Clodiagh Gaels' fought hard and had the gap back to 1-8 to 0-8 after 25 minutes – Langton got seven of those points with Ruari Dunne getting the other.

Carrig-Riverstown finished strongly with quality points from David Egan, Andrew Coakley and Conor Freeman and a 1-11 to 0-8 half time lead meant it was theirs to lose.

All they had to do to secure the win was keep the scoreboard ticking over and they did this with impressive efficiency. Clodiagh Gaels just couldn't get a run of scores to ask any sort of questions. The winners were 1-13 to 0-10 clear after 32 minutes and both sides hit a sequence of very sloppy wides before Coakley got another point for Carrig-Riverstown. Conor Langton blasted over the bar with a great goal chance in the 46^th minute and C-R killed off the game seconds later, Coakley scoring his second goal after reacting quickly to a breaking ball.

Clodiagh Gaels were never going to pull in a 2-14 to 0-12 deficit and Carrig-Riverstown performed very solidly, keeping their shape and intensity levels right in the closing quarter to ease home.

MATCH ANALYSIS

MAN OF THE MATCH

Andrew Coakley (Carrig-Riverstown): Carrig-Riverstown had several contenders with Caelum Larkin, Brendan Hoctor and Timmy Carey outstanding at the back while Joe Hoctor went very well when moved to midfield. Cathal King's first touch wasn't always as sharp as normal but he exerted a huge influence, covering, blocking and winning ball as well as scoring two points. The attacking display was super and Andrew Coakley is my choice. He scored 2-3 and that was a defining contribution.

Liam Langton was Clodiagh Gaels' star man while Aaron Flanagan, Conor Langton, Anthony Gorman and Ruari Dunne had good spells for them.

THE SCORERS

Carrig-Riverstown: Andrew Coakley 2-3, Willie Gleeson 0-4 (2f), Cathal King, Paddy Bergin, Conor Freeman and David Egan 0-2 each, Thomas Hogan, Caelum Larkin, Joe Hoctor 0-1 each.

Clodiagh Gaels: Liam Langton 0-11 (4f and 1 '65'), Anthony Gorman and Conor Langton 0-2 each, Ruari Dunne 0-1.

THE TEAMS

CARRIG-RIVERSTOWN: Liam Hoare; Thomas Hogan, Michael Fitzgerald, Caelum Larkin; Brendan Hoctor, Joe Hoctor, Timmy Carey; Peter King, Cathal King; Mark O'Brien, Paddy Bergin, David Egan; Andrew Coakley, Conor Freeman, Willie Gleeson. Subs – Eoin King for Gleeson (45m), Daniel England for O'Brien (54m), Cathal Hanlon for Larkin (57m).

CLODIAGH GAELS: Kevin Kinahan; Sean Brady, Aaron Flanagan, Caolan Flanagan; Sean Rattigan, Clint Horan, Jack Kelly; Tom Dunne, Conor Langton; Ruari Dunne, Liam Langton, Pat Lyons; Cathal Curran, Cathal Brady, Anthony Gorman. Subs – Mark Dillon for Lyons (56m).

Referee – Shane Guinan, Drumcullen.

REFEREE WATCH

Full marks to Shane Guinan for taking charge of this game, only a couple of hours after doing the Senior Hurling Championship meeting between Coolderry and Ballinamere. That was a big ask in the heat but he handled this well and there were no issues.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Andrew Coakley's 12^th minute goal was a great score and Carrig-Riverstown never looked like losing after it.

VENUE WATCH

Clodiagh Gaels had Killeigh very well prepared and they managed the traffic very well.

WHAT'S NEXT

Carrig-Riverstown host Kilcormac-Killoughey and Clodiagh Gaels have Clara away in round 2.

STATISTICS

Wides: Carrig-Riverstown – 13 (6 in first half); Clodiagh Gaels – 9 (4 in first half).

Yellow cards: 0.

Red cards: 0.