Coolderry hold off spirited second half Tullamore revival to advance to final
Division 1 Hurling League semi-final
THE better side by a country mile in the first half, Coolderry ended up in a second half dogfight that they couldn't have anticipated as they advanced to the Offaly Division 1 Hurling League final with a deserved win over Tullamore in Kilcormac on Sunday afternoon.
Division 1 Hurling League semi-final
Coolderry 1-23
Tullamore 2-12
Coolderry were so superior in every aspect of play in the first half that you just couldn't envisage any difficulty ahead for them. They led by 0-15 to 0-6 at half time and should have had two goals on the board while they also missed some fairly simple point chances, though these were cancelled out at the other end.
The game should have been over at the break but even with that, Coolderry looked set to coast to an easy win. The big change in the second half was a much better display by Tullamore in the second half. The work ethic that had been a symptom of their league run this year was only there in fits and starts in the first half but they got their act together in this regard after the break.
There was a noticeable uptake in application and fight all over the field and Tullamore actually could have won this game. They had the deficit back to just three points, 2-12 to 0-21 with five minutes left and there was a chance for a great come from behind win. Coolderry, however, found another gear at the right time with goalkeeper Stephen Corcoran settling them down with an excellent free from distance.
A four point lead took the heat out of the situation for Coolderry as the hard working Declan Parlon added a point and Andrew Hogan nipped in for an injury time goal after a great catch.
Even with their first half malfunction, Tullamore had ample chances to have won it. Before they got their second half goals, they could very easily have been on level terms as Coolderry fell asleep. On the count down to his 40th, former county star Shane Dooley was instrumental in Tullamore's revival as he got the bit between the teeth and began to win ball, drive his team mates on. However, he had a very mixed bag from from frees as he converted four but was off target with over half a dozen more and on another day, he would fire at least a few of those over.
It could all have went wrong for Coolderry in the second half but ultimately, their first half foundation was strong enough and they just about did enough in the second half, when they were very mediocre at times. A terrific hurling club, Coolderry's prospects have been hit by season ending cruciate injuries to two of their main men, Daniel Miller and Kevin Connolly.
Miller did his while hurling for Leitrim a few weeks ago and has already got his operation. Connolly's went in training more recently and has been confirmed by a Dublin surgeon. Now in his mid 30s, Connolly has been a huge performer in the attack for Coolderry over the years and is scheduled for an August operation – though he looked fit enough to hurl as he patrolled the sideline with water here. Clearly able to walk without pain, he joked that it was an option he was considering when it was suggested to him afterwards that he looked like he could be out on the field but as tempting as it might be, he knows that this would not be a wise option and at this stage of his career, the best thing is a quick operation and get ready for next season.
Those blows are ones Coolderry may find hard to overcome in the championship but they will be very pleased to be in a league final against neighbours Seir Kieran – between Offaly senior footballers and other factors, Tullamore were also missing a few.
Coolderry were excellent for a lot of the first half as they led by 0-5 to 0-1 and 0-10 to 0-4 after 12 and 21 minutes. The game could have been over at this stage – Andy Connolly had a fresh air swing with a great goal chance in the first minute, presumably after getting a nudge at the right time and dropped the ball with another one a couple of minutes later.
Connolly eventually found his game as he scored freely from play and frees and he was a major factor in Coolderry being in the driving seat at half time. Tullamore were at nothing for most of the first and Coolderry's nine point lead was a fair reflection of their dominance.
We knew almost from the restart that Tullamore had changed. They got in tighter on their opponents, they hit harder and tackled with more venom. They gradually crept back into it and it seemed to take Coolderry a good while to realise that the game was suddenly competitive.
Tullamore had the deficit back to 0-12 to 0-17 after 41 minutes but did themselves a lot of harm with five poor wides in a few minutes, a few of them fairly harmless ones. A great Eoghan Parlon sideline point settled Coolderry and Andy Connolly got his first point of the second half in the 47th minute for a 0-19 to 0-12 lead.
The game sprung to life with Tullamore's first goal in the 49th minute and it was a disaster for Coolderry as Conor Molloy completely misjudged his cross-field pass to Stephen Corcoran and sent it straight to Shane Dooley who blasted to the net. Again Coolderry responded well with points from Andrew Hogan and Andy Connolly (free) for a six point lead.
Tullamore got back into it with the goal of the game in the 55th minute, a brilliant build up led by Cillian Wynne ending with sub Niall McCabe finding the net. It was game on but Tullamore had ran their race, wilting in the warm heat late on and Coolderry closed it out with impressive efficiency.
MATCH ANALYSIS
MAN OF THE MATCH
Will Malone (Coolderry): Andy Connolly was sharp and hungry in the Coolderry attack and Andrew Hogan had an excellent game, starting in attack and moving out the field after former county stalwart David King limped off with a fifth minute hamstring injury. Hogan scored 1-3 and did a mountain of good work while Eoghan Parlon was also very good for them.
My choice is centre half back Will Malone. He gave a couple of sloppy passes but handled a huge amount of ball. He blocked runs, won ball and for the most part, he distributed well. His presence ensured that Tullamore had to go down the wings rather than through the centre and he really dug in when Coolderry began to struggle in the second half.
Mike Fox was Tullamore's best player, especially in the first half when he was one man who got up to the right level, scoring three points while Luke Egan, Martin Keogh, Cillian Wynne, Shane Dooley and James Houlihan all had good spells.
THE SCORERS
Coolderry: Andy Connolly 0-8 (4f), Andrew Hogan 1-3, Stephen Corcoran (3f) and Eoghan Parlon (1 sideline) 0-3 each, Declan Parlon and Gearoid McCormack 0-2 each, Eoin Ryan and Ciaran Teehan 0-1 each.
Tullamore: Shane Dooley 1-5 (4f), Niall McCabe 1-1, Mike Fox 0-3, Tom Grace, Martin Keogh, James Houlihan 0-1 each.
THE TEAMS
COOLDERRY: Stephen Corcoran; Cathal Burke, Ajay Cleary, Stephen Burke; Conor Molloy, Will Malone, Marc Ryan; Joey McLoughney, David King; Declan Parlon, Eoghan Parlon, Eoin Ryan; Andrew Hogan, Gearoid McCormack, Andy Connolly. Subs – Ciaran Teehan for King, inj. (5m), David Connolly for Eoin Ryan (HT), Joe Larkin for Parlon (60m), Conor Hogan for Andrew Hogan (63m).
TULLAMORE: Alex Sheridan; Jack Daly, Robbie Hand, Kevin Waters; Luke Egan, Niall Houlihan, Willie Grace; Mike Fox, Martin Keogh; Peter Fox, Tom Grace, Cillian Wynne; Colm Woodlock, Shane Dooley, James Houlihan. Subs – Niall McCabe for Waters, inj. (12m), Kevin Mann for Hand (53m), Pauric Martin for Peter Fox (60m).
Referee – Brian Gavin, Clara.
REFEREE WATCH
Brian Gavin showed his vast experience as he handled it well.
MOMENT OF THE MATCH
Stephen Corcoran showed his value to the Coolderry team as he did his goalkeeping duties well and converted three big long range frees. His third one in the 58th minute was very important as it came just after Tullamore's second goal – it was a needless one for Tullamore to concede as Niall McCabe cut down Will Malone - and a four point lead was always going to be beyond Tullamore at this stage.
VENUE WATCH
Full marks to Kilcormac-Killoughey for the way they hosted this game in Kilcormac. It was switched from Birr before the weekend and it made for a busy day for them as they were also hosting a Division 3 HL semi-final between Shamrocks and Clodiagh Gaels after it. With a lot of cars coming and going, the logistics required planning and they came up with a solid plan. They have done a great job on their Kilcormac facilities and availed of the ample room to park cars. They had loads of stewards on hand and hosted it all very well.
WHAT'S NEXT
Coolderry go into the final against Seir Kieran.
STATISTICS
Wides: Coolderry - 8 (4 in first half); Tullamore – 16 (7 in first half).Yellow cards: Coolderry – 0; Tullamore – 2 (Willie Grace and Niall McCabe).
Black cards: 0
Red cards: 0