Impressive Shamrocks book final slot with convincing win over Coolderry

IN some ways, it was the ideal way for Shamrocks to advance to the Offaly Intermediate Hurling Chamoionship final as they got away from Coolderry in the second half to book a showdown with Seir Kieran in a couple of weeks time.

Molloy Environmental Systems Intermediate Hurling Championship semi-final

Shamrocks 2-24

Coolderry 1-10

The Rahan parish side will be favourites to take a badly needed step up the Offalt hurling ladder but manager Ciaran Slevin will have no problem keeping a lid on expectations both inside and outside their camp.

Their win was comfortable enough, performance good enough to suggest that they will move up to senior B hurling this year. There were, however, sufficient holes in it, enough mediocre patches to show that it will be absolutely no formality and Seir Kieran won't be afraid – the Clareen men have displayed terrific heart to reach the final and they almost beat Shamrocks in the 2022 final when drawing the first day.

Shamrocks won the replay easily but could only stay one year in senior B and they really need to get back up there and transition into contenders at that level.

A 2-24 to 1-10 final scoreline doesn't leave any room for argument. Kilcormac-Killoughey man Slevin will be able to highlight some deficincies when he does his video analysis next week but Shamrocks played sufficiently well for it to have a really positive spin off on their confidence.

Playing against the wind in the first half, Shamrocks trailed by 1-9 to 1-7 at the interval but had the game won. It was at least a six/seven point wind and it would have taken a horror show by Shamrocks not to win from there.

As it turned out, the wind was worth much more than six points to Shamrocks but a lot of their second half dominance was down to Coolderry not being at the races and throwing in the towel early. There was no optimism in Coolderry that this team would win another championship at this grade and that local pessimism was well founded – the south Offaly side had a limited pick and once Shamrocks built up a second half head of steam, they were at nothing.

Shamrocks out scored them by 1-17 to just one point in the second half. Coolderry's only second half point came from a Joe Malone free in the 55th minute and by that stage, Shamrocks were easing back down the gears, giving subs a run.

Shamrocks did more than enough in the first half to win, even though they were two points behind at half time. The sides were level on eight different occasions in the first half and Coolderry only led thanks to a very fortunate 16th minute goal when Shamrocks goalkeeper Darragh Minnock misjudged the flight of a long Cathal Burke delivery and it dropped harmlessly into the net.

Shamrocks' equalising goal two minutes later was a highlight with the excellent Padraig Cantwell involved in the build up and Eoghan Neville's finish after racing in from the left was worth the trip to Rath.

Sean Tooher and Owen Connolly (two frees) got three late points to give Coolderry that 1-9 to 1-7 half time lead but there was absolutely no sense that they would pull off a surprise.

Instead, the second half developed into shooting practice for Shamrocks. After three worryingly poor early misses, they were on level terms by the 34th minute, ahead by the 35th and four points clear after 39 minutes.

They quickly pulled out of sight, leading by 1-16 to 1-9 at the three quarter way stage. Shamrocks were not in one iota of danger in the closing quarter with sub Shane Heffernan scrambling home their goal in the 25th minute – the winners will be particularly pleased at their scoring conversion, the spread of scorers and the threat that came from so many different areas.

MATCH ANALYSIS

MAN OF THE MATCH

Eoghan Neville (Shamrocks): You could make a case for a handful of Shamrocks players and stand over it. Stephen Malone and Padraig Cantwell were once again outstanding on their half back line, Jack Molloy did some wonderful work in midfield and the physicality and power of David O'Rourke and David O'Toole-Greene were pivotal to Shamrocks' dominance – O'Toole-Greene did a bucket of great work in the second half and gives them a powerful focus on the edge of the square.

Conor Egan staked a real claim in the attack, scoring four points and he was both lively and hungry. The choice is Eoghan Neville, who is in great form for them at the moment – and also did very well for the footballers off the bench in their quarter-final win over Clara. He was particularly influential in the first half when Coolderry did ask serious questions of Shamrocks. He top scored with 1-11, 1-3 from play but it was his ball carrying and scoring assists that really caught the eye in open play.

A special mention must be made of Neil Minnock who put in a great shift when introduced early for the injured Johnny O'Toole-Greene. Minnock certainly grasped his chance, scoring three points and hunting the ball.

THE SCORERS

Shamrocks: Eoghan Neville 1-11 (8f), Conor Egan 0-4, Neil Minnock 0-3, Shane Heffernan 1-0, David O'Rourke 0-2, Padraig Cantwell, Jack Molloy, David O'Toole-Greene, Donal Dooley 0-1 each.

Coolderry: Cathal Burke 1-1, Owen Connolly 0-3 (3f), James Tooher 0-2, Liam Brophy, Ciaran Teehan, Damien Fletcher, Joe Malone (f) 0-1 each.

THE TEAMS

SHAMROCKS: Darragh Minnock; Conor Moran, Conor Condron, Sean Mooney; Mark Malone, Stephen Malone, Padraig Cantwell; Jack Molloy, David O'Rourke; Eoin Neville, Johnny O'Toole-Greene, Shane O'Toole-Greene; Conor Egan, David O'Toole-Greene, Alan Foster. Subs – Neil Minnock for Johnny O'Toole-Greene, inj. (16m), Donal Dooley for Foster (41m), Shane Heffernan for David O'Toole-Greene (54m), Mark Buckley for Moran (56m), Cathal Healion for Mark Malone (56m)

COOLDERRY: Conor Bergin; David Connolly,Cian O'Connor, Paddy Maher; Adam Kennedy, Billy Burke, Conor Molloy; Damien Fletcher, Seamus Hogan; Owen Connolly, Cathal Burke, Joe Larkin; Ciaran Teehan, Darren Dooley, Liam Brophy. Subs – James Tooher for Kennedy, inj. (6m), Joe Malone for Seamus Hogan (41m),

Referee – Kieran Dooley, Drumcullen.

REFEREE WATCH

In many ways, referees are the real heroes of the GAA. They turn up a few times a week and occasionally take a level of abuse that no player or manager would be subjected to or would tolerate – yet they keep coming back and turning up. You have to admire all the men in Offaly who referee games and Kieran Dooley has been one of the best for a few years now. He had another good game here with no issues. He punished Shamrocks for dissent a couple of times in the first half but that is exactly what referees should do and they learnt to keep their mouths shut.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Eoghan Neville's 18th minute goal immediately settled Shamrocks after the concession of a very soft Coolderry goal a couple of minutes earlier. It levelled it up and their victory was never in doubt after it.

VENUE WATCH

Drumcullen had their Rath venue very well prepared and managed the fixture with typical efficiency. They have continued to develop their facilities in recent years and the availability of a press box is very welcome for media: several clubs have developed new stands in recent years but have neglected this facility, which is more important now in the days of instant online reports than in previous years. And it doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg – Durrow are an example of a club who were able to provide a basic but absolutely ideal one in their stand and it is something other clubs should take on as well.

WHAT'S NEXT

Shamrocks are into the final against Seir Kieran.

STATISTICS

Wides: Shamrocks - 8(4 in first half); Coolderry - 12 (6 in first half).

Yellow cards: Shamrocks – 2 (David O'Toole-Greene, Padraig Cantwell); Coolderry – 1 (Damien Fletcher).

Red cards: 0