Carrig-Riverstown salvage late draw to earn top spot

IN some ways, there was a surreal sort of atmosphere for the meeting of the two form teams in the Senior “B” Hurling Championship as Carrig-Riverstown and Lusmagh clashed in Birr on Saturday evening.

Molloy Precast and Environmental Systems Senior “B” Hurling Championship Round 5

Lusmagh 0-17

Carrig-Riverstown 0-17

With both safely through to the semi-finals, the only issue at stake was who topped the group and in the broader scheme of things, that and the semi-final match-ups did not matter a whole lot. In the wind up, Carrig-Riverstown salvaged a late draw to secure top spot and a semi-final against Clara while Lusmagh face a fast improving Kilcormac-Killoughey – a win would have put Lusmagh top.

As you would expect, this lacked the intensity of knockout hurling. Shadow boxing was the phrase that leapt to mind but the two clubs still served up an entertaining tussle, playing some good hurling, albeit at a superficial level with the intensity and physicality several notches below what both will produce in the semi-finals.

While the stakes were as small as they get for a fifth round tie, it was important for both that they gave some sort of a performance and were not well beaten. This didn't happen and wasn't on the cards either apart from a brief spell in the first half when Lusmagh threatened to open up daylight.

Lusmagh have turned a big corner this year and were 0-6 to 0-1 clear after 20 minutes with Carrig-Riverstown scarcely in third gear.

Carrig-Riverstown did improve coming up to half time, getting five of the last eight points to trail by 0-9 to 0-6 at the break – all of Lusmagh's scores came from Luke Bowe and Eimhin Kelly.

With the wind blowing straight down the field in the second half in favour of Carrig-Riverstown, three points was not a big deficit but it took them time to haul it in. Paul Kinsella's point had Lusnagh 0-12 to 0-8 ahead after 35 minutes but a huge free from goalkeeper Liam Hoare helped Carrig-Riverstown cut the gap to a point, 0-12 to 0-11.

Hoare showed his value to C-R when deflecting a goal-bound pile driver from Shane Lanigan over the bar in the 41^st minute. A great Willie Gleeson point levelled it up in the 19^th minute and it had draw written all over it from here on.

C-R took off their free taker Willie Gleeson and this resulted in uncertainty when they got a 59^th minute '65' to level it up. Lee Hogan went over to take it but was waved away by Conor Freeman who sent it wide. They got another free just inside the '65' a few seconds later and this time sub David Egan took it, sending it between the posts. Paul Kinsella looked to have won it for Lusmagh with a lovely 61^st minute point but C-R got one last chance when Lusmagh were penalised for a throw ball and Egan again converted.

MATCH ANALYSIS

MAN OF THE MATCH

Ruari Kelly (Lusmagh): With neither side showing their full hand, many players operated in a comfort zone. Ruari Kelly got on a lot of ball in the Lusmagh defence, using most of it well.

THE SCORERS

THE TEAMS

CARRIG-RIVERSTOWN: Liam Hoare; Tom Hogan, Mike Fitzgerald, Calum Larkin; Brendan Hoctor, Peter King, Timmy Carey; Dylan Hogan, Cathal King; Mark O'Brien, Paddy Bergin, Andrew Coakley; Conor Freeman, Willie Gleeson, Dan England. Subs – David Egan for Coakley, Cathal Hanlon for England, Lee Hogan for Gleeson.

LUSMAGH: Alan Kelly; Rory Quinlan, Andy Flynn, Daire Temple; Eibheann Kelly, Eimhin Kelly, Ruari Kelly; Eoin Quinlan, Graham Lynch; Lorcan Troy, Darren Healy, James Kelly; Shane Lanigan, Aaron Kelly, Luke Bowe. Subs – Paul Kinsella for James Kelly, Daire Kelly for Lanigan.

Referee – Steven Connolly.

REFEREE WATCH

An almost ever present on the line at games throughout the county as he gains valuable experience, Steven Connolly had earned this game and he took his chance well. Clearly focused on doing well, he got most calls right and was clear in his decisions – Carrig-Riverstown's Mark O'Brien was relieved to get a yellow card and not a red near the interval after his hurl came in contact with Andy Flynn's helmet but there was no intent in it and it would have been a shame if he was suspended for a semi-final.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

David Egan's last gasp equalising free was the big moment here as it changed the semi-final pairings.

VENUE WATCH

Birr was in fine order and the game was well hosted. Birr were also very helpful to media personnel arriving late from the Birr v Ballinamere senior hurling tussle in Kilcormac, facilitating this reporter with car parking access inside their ground, which was much appreciated.

WHAT'S NEXT

Carrig-Riverstown meet Clara while Lusmagh take on Kilcormac-Killoughey in the semi-finals.