St Rynaghs do enough to see off spirited Tullamore challenge in Senior Hurling Championship

AIMING to get back to winning ways was the motive for St Rynaghs ahead of their clash with Tullamore and they managed to secure a second win of their championship campaign with a 0-27 to 1-15 victory in Kilcormac.

Molloy Precast And Environmental Systems Senior Hurling Championship Group 2 Round 3

St Rynaghs 0-27 Tullamore 1-15

Despite the best efforts of Tullamore, it was the 20-time champions who did enough to make it four points from three games in group 2, with thanks a large part to wing forward Darragh Scully , who ended with a tally of 0-5 and four coming during the second period, with alongside and Luke O’Connor and Shane Rigney who chipped in with a combined tally of 0-8. 

Both sides came into this match off the back of difficult encounters with reigning champions Kilcormac-Killoughey and were desperate to make amends this evening and get their season up and running again. Edwin Finnerty’s side had a bye in the second round and thus came into Kilcormac on Sunday evening playing their first game in almost a month. And they’ll come away from this evening feeling a sense of regret over missed chances and shots dropping short in what was a valiant effort, to which they kept asking questions of the St Rynaghs defence when needed.

Shane Dooley was Tullamore’s talisman as expected and while Cillian Bourke’s goal after 46 minutes on the clock, they never could kick on to claim a shock win or draw as St Rynaghs held their nerve to keep the scoreline at an arm's length and without much fear of losing their lead when the game reached its closing stages.

Both sides looking to get fast starts, it was St Rynaghs who held a 0-5 to 0-1 lead after the opening 10 minutes of play, thanks in large to two Aidan Treacy frees and a quick fire brace from Stephen Quirke. Shane Dooley got Tullamore’s opening score after eight minutes before he followed up with two frees to bring Tullamore back into contention. However, Matthew Maloney, Shane Rigney and Aaron Molloy extended the St Rynaghs lead further, with Luke O’Connor then sending over his first of the day to leave it at a seven point deficit after 22 minutes.

Tullamore were struggling for possession and thus allowed St Rynaghs to win back the ball with relative ease and those mistakes resulted in Aidan Treacy, Darragh Scully and Shane Rigney to make the gap bigger as they took their scores on their left hand sides. Shane Dooley as usual was Tullamore’s talisman and doing his level best to keep his side within distance, as he got three scores on the bounce, with one from play. He added another score just after a long distance effort from Cormac Martin and just when you thought the game was fading away from Tullamore, they left themselves with a fighting chance come half time. 

Half time St Rynaghs 0-13 - 0-8 Tullamore. 

A tense opening to the second half saw both sides register some excellent points, with Luke O’Connor, Darragh Scully and Shane Rigney all contributing to the Rynaghs tally, with the two Cormac’s, Martin and Egan keeping the scoreboard ticking, but both sides will rue some of their shooting chances which went a begging, particularly Tullamore who dropped a number of efforts short, and St Rynaghs hitting poor wides by their standards, with the usually reliable Luke O’Connor through on goal but pucking his shot wide at the near post. 

They did conjure up three great points through Stephen Quirke and back to back scores from Darragh Scully, however Cillian Bourke’s 46th minute strike which skyrocketed past Clancy in nets made things interesting again. 

Despite Jay Sheerin, Mike Fox and James Houlihan giving Tullamore hope and within a single score at times, St Rynaghs kept their composure as some expertly taken scores in the final from the likes of experienced players like Aidan Treacy, O’Connor, Quirke and the most impressive score of them all, Ben Conneely, who rose highest to a puck out before taking his four steps and planting the ball over to all but ensure the win for Jeffrey Lynskey’s troops. A crucial win as well as they now look almost assured a place in the knockout stages with their final game coming in two weeks time against Seir Kieran, while Edwin Finnerty will take some positives into their next game versus Coolderry in their hunt to avoid a relegation play off. 

Full time St Rynaghs 0-27 - 1-15 Tullamore. 

MATCH ANALYSIS

MAN OF THE MATCH

Ben Conneely (St Rynaghs): Plenty of good shouts from the St Rynaghs crew as Darragh Scully was sharp in his shooting with 0-5 and four of those coming in the second half, as well as Shane Rigney who was instrumental for his side when operating around the half forward line, Aidan Treacy was also savage in the midfield and controlled proceedings, as well as the likes of Luke O’Connor when given opportunities and Matthew Maloney at wing back was also solid.

Shane Dooley was as we've come to expect the Tullamore talisman, Cormac Martin also took his two points from play well, while Mike Fox had a positive impact from the bench and will improve gradually after his return from the US. 

Ben Conneely had a super game at centre back. He kept the versatile Cormac Egan relatively quiet by his standards, as well being highest to each puck out, winning turnovers and capping a fine individual display with the score of the game on the 58th minute. He was at the very heart of the St Rynaghs spine and showed his experience throughout. 

THE SCORERS

St Rynaghs: Aidan Treacy 0-6 (4frees), Darragh Scully and Stephen Quirke 0-5 each, Shane Rigney and Luke O’Connor (2frees) 0-4 each, Matthew Maloney, Aaron Molloy and Ben Conneely 0-1 each.

Tullamore: Shane Dooley 0-9 (6frees, 1 65), Cillian Bourke 1-0, Cormac Martin 0-2, Cormac Egan, Jay Sheerin, Mike Fox and James Houlihan 0-1 each. 

THE TEAMS

St Rynaghs: Conor Clancy; Keelan Rigney; Dermot Shortt; Simon Og Lyons; Matthew Maloney; Ben Conneely (Capt); Conor Hernon; Joseph O’Connor; Stephen Wynne; Darragh Scully; Aidan Treacy; Stephen Quirke; Shane Rigney; Luke O’Connor . Subs - Eoin Woods for Wynne (40m); Aaron Kenny for O’Connor (58m).

Tullamore: Paul Kelly; Jack Daly; Niall Houlihan (JC); Kevin Waters; Aaron Leavy; Ger Crowe (JC); Michael Feeney; Ger Treacy; Jay Sheerin; Cormac Martin; Cormac Egan; James Houlihan; Cillian Martin; Shane Dooley; Cillian Bourke. Subs - Mike Fox for Treacy (20m); Jack Dooley for Martin (45m); Dan Fox for Martin (48m).

(Adam Kinahan)

REFEREE WATCH

Adam Kinahan took charge of this evening's clash and had some tough calls to make at times, but overall did a steady job and allowed the game to flow.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Ben Conneely’s 58th minute point after catching the opposition puck out and then sending over his effort from his own 65 yard line was certainly the pick of the bunch and all but sealed victory in the end for his team and rewarding his overall contribution to the team performance.

VENUE WATCH

Kilcormac hosted the game and had plenty of parking available as well the pitch in great shape and a great supply of refreshments beside the pitch too. 

WHAT'S NEXT

St Rynaghs face Seir Kieran in round 4, while Tullamore will square off against Coolderry. 

STATISTICS

Wides: St Rynaghs – 11  ( 5 in first half, 6  in 2nd half); Tullamore – 10  ( 5 in first half, 5 in 2nd half).

Yellow cards: St Rynaghs- (0)

Tullamore – (4)  Ger Treacy, Cillian Bourke, Cormac Egan, James Houlihan

Black cards: 0.

Red cards: St Rynaghs – (0 )

Tullamore – (0).