11 man Coolderry show real character to keep great league run going with against the odds win
K Buggy Coaches Division 5 Hurling League final
WITH the odds stacked firmly against them, Coolderry dug deep and some how found a way to overcome Drumcullen in a gripping Offaly Division 5 Hurling League final in Clareen on Monday evening.
K Buggy Coaches Division 5 Hurling League final
Coolderry 2-19
Drumcullen 2-14
Playing with 11 men against 13 – this is a 13-a-side competition – from the 24th minute, Coolderry really should not have been able to win this but they did so with a really gritty, stirring display.
It may have been the lowest grade of hurling in Offaly but this was a compelling evening's entertainment. Both sides had the usual mixture of experienced hurlers winding down their careers, classic junior B men and fit young men, who played with great enthusiasm but were always capable of mistakes when the pressure was on.
The win continues a remarkable league campaign for Coolderry hurlers. They have a 100% record across Divisions 1, 3 and 5 and now have their hands on silverware. That is a fair record but when Trevor Corcoran and Cian O'Connor were sent off in the 19th and 24th minutes, it seemed they had committed kamikaze.
The second dismissal was an innocuous one, Cian O'Connor picking up a second yellow for a clumsy tackle. The first one was a pure calamity for Coolderry with experienced corner back Trevor Corcoran getting a straight red after a clash with Conor Gath.
It changed a game that Coolderry had been coasting in. They were 1-6 to 0-3 up at that stage with the excellent Seamus Hogan getting their goal in the 14th minute. With a full quota, Coolderry would possibly have won by double digits – they were that superior all over the field in the first twenty minutes plus. With 12, they would probably still have been able to win quite comfortably but the dismissal of O'Connor really loaded the dice in Drumcullen's favour.
Drumcullen had edged back into it with two Conor Gath frees and a strike from play by Joe McCarthy and were only three points behind when O'Connor walked, 1-6 to 0-6. Full of heart and honesty, this was a disappointing defeat for Drumcullen and evidence that they would find it difficult to take advantage of the numerical strength arrived before half time.
1-7 to 0-7 ahead after 28 minutes, Coolderry got very important late points from Brian Carroll and Mark Bergin to lead by 1-9 to 0-7 at half time.
Drumcullen should have been able to take advantage in the second half but may have made an error by playing both their extra men in defence for too long. With former county star Brian Carroll inside, the logic was obvious but they still had to score to win the game and they made it a bit too easy for Coolderry, who had great ball winners in defence, brilliantly led by another former county player, Kevin Brady.
Ultimately the quality of these two players won the day for Coolderry, who did the most important thing of all by keeping the scoreboard ticking over.
They got a great stroke of luck two minutes into the second half when a badly mishit Martin Corcoran free went all the way to the net for a 2-9 to 0-7 lead. That gave Coolderry a chance and they battened down the hatches. Seamus Hogan got back to deny Conor Gath as goal with a great interception and Gath pointed the '65'.
It was 0-11 to 2-10 after 39 minutes and just when it seemed Coolderry were going to buckle, they found a new lease of life. Martin Corcoran got two points, one free and an inspirational strike from play to make it 2-12 to 0-11. Drumcullen got a lifeline with a Conor Gath goal, Joe McCarthy suspiciously close to feeding him with a throw ball. Coolderry conjured up the next score, a Seamus Hogan point.
Two Gath frees made it 2-13 to 1-13 as it headed into the last ten minutes and once again, Coolderry were on their knees. Again they responded magnificently, Brian Carroll turning the clock back with a sensational point from out on the left wing and Mark Bergin provided the encore.
Drumcullen fought with what they had and a scrambled goal from Fiacra Dooley brought the gap down to two points with nine to go.
It was hugely exciting now and Martin Corcoran and Brian Carroll (2) missed three good chances for Coolderry in a spell of pressure. Gath's free made it a one point game with five minutes to go. Surely Coolderry's legs would fold now and a few of their players who were short of prime fitness were showing real fatigue.
Yet they found a way to win it and Brian Carroll was the main man late on as he took over the free taking duties from an exhausted Martin Corcoran – Corcoran still had the belly to win a great ball and a free that Carroll converted in the 57th minute. Time was running out and Coolderry somehow discovered another gear. Carroll got another excellent point from play and a free. Sub Kevin Larkin got a point to put them five up in injury time and John Foley's closing point for Drumcullen was immaterial.
MATCH ANALYSIS
MAN OF THE MATCH
Brian Carroll (Coolderry): There is a temptation to go with Coolderry midfielder Seamus Hogan who was probably the fittest man on the field. He put in a great shift, though his influence did decline in the closing quarter.
Ultimately Coolderry could not have won without Kevin Brady and Brian Carroll, whose fast experience and ability to do the right thing shone like a beacon. Brady put in some amount of work in the second half in particular. He lived on the edge for a few minutes in the first half after getting a yellow and was not far away from getting a second one but cut out that messing in the second half when he was physical but very disciplined. He was an unbreachable barrier in the heart of defence and inspired all around him.
It was a giant of a display from Brady but Carroll just edges him. A man of the match opinion in this grade at this stage of his life won't mean a thing to the Offaly minor hurling manager but the right thing is the right thing, and when their need was at its highest, he delivered spectacularly. He was marked by two men from the time Coolderry went down to 12, three for periods but was still a great target for them. He won ball he shouldn't have won, slotted over six of his ten points from play and considering the way the game went, it was terrific contribution from him.
Drumcullen had some very good displays with Joe McCarthy a man of the match contender as he showed good pace and skill. Conor Gath took his frees well, scored 1-2 from play and did good things in open play but ultimately, Drumcullen can't complain at their defeat.
THE SCORERS
Coolderry: Brian Carroll 0-10 (4f), Martin Corcoran 1-4 (all frees), Seamus Hogan 1-1, Mark Bergin 0-2, Paul Hensey and Kevin Larkin 0-1 each.
Drumcullen: Conor Gath 1-10 (7f and 1 '65'), Brian Pardy 1-1, Fiachra Dooley 1-0, Joe McCarthy 0-3, John Foley 0-1.
THE TEAMS
COOLDERRY: Jimmy Gannon; Trevor Corcoran, Brian Kelly; Charlie Hogan, Kevin Brady, Cian O'Connor; Mark Bergin, Seamus Hogan; Paul Hensey, Martin Corcoran, Brian Larkin; Brian Carroll, Barry Larkin. Subs – Brendan O'Meara for Barry Larkin (38m), Kevin Larkin for Brian Larkin (46m).
DRUMCULLEN: Conor Egan; PJ Bracken, Jack Ryan; John Troy, Patrick Carroll, Cian Mannion; Kevin Fleury, Theo Kinsella; John Foley, Joe McCarthy, Brian Pardy; Conor Gath, Fiachra Dooley. Subs – Ray Gath for Pardy (39m).
Referee – Adam Kinahan, Clodiagh Gaels.
REFEREE WATCH
Adam Kinahan is accustomed to refereeing bigger finals than Division 5 hurling but he tuned in well for it, which was just as well and had a very good game. He was busier than he expected but was 100 percent right to show Trevor Corcoran a red card and dished out other cards to keep control on a real physical game.
MOMENT OF THE MATCH
The point that Brian Carroll got from out on the left wing in the 50th minute was a special moment. It was a fantastic score and gave Coolderry a 2-14 to 1-13 lead. While Drumcullen got the gap down to one point with five minutes left, it was the moment when we felt Coolderry would prevail.
VENUE WATCH
The Clareen pitch is in a lovely setting with the Slieve Bloom Mountains providing an enticing back-drop. Seir Kieran's grounds has a real homely feel to it and the home club contribute to this with their management of their rare neutral fixtures. A good crowd created a very good atmosphere at this clash between these two most traditional of clubs.WHAT'S NEXT
Both sides focus on the championship now.
STATISTICS
Wides: Coolderry - 6 (1 in first half); Drumcullen - 9 (7 in first half).
Yellow cards: Coolderry – 3 (Kevin Brady and Cian O'Connor, 2); Drumcullen – 4 (PJ Bracken, John Troy, Kevin Fleury, Ray Gath).
Black cards: 0
Red cards: Coolderry – 2 (Trevor Corcoran and Cian O'Connor, two yellows).