Coolderry 1-16 ....... Ballyskenagh 1-07
Alan Walsh reports
SCORERS: Coolderry: Damien Murray (0-6, 0-1 free & 0-1 '65), Brian Carroll
(0-5, 0-2 frees), Mark Bergin (1-0), Barry Teehan (0-2), Shane O'Connor (0-1
free), Martin Corcoran (0-1), Kevin Brady (0-1).
Ballyskenach: Alan Middleton (1-1, 0-1 '65), John Dooley (0-4 frees), Alan Franks
(0-1 free), Noel Murphy (0-1).
WIDES: Coolderry 15
AS expected Coolderry booked their place in the Aidan Bracken Building Design
SHC quarter-finals after they defeated their depleted neighbours Ballyskenach
by nine points, 1-16 to 1-7, in a dull encounter at Rath on Sunday evening.
Coolderry, who started without the injured Joe Brady (hamstring) and didn't
include Paddy Teehan, Niall Kirwan or Fergal Parlon from the side that lost
to K/K, weren't as clinical as one might have expected them to be. However,
they did enough and the verdict was never in doubt.
In the absence of the aforementioned quartet, Coolderry boss Joe O'Connor introduced
Trevor Corcoran, David Dooley, Andrew Hall and Kevin Teehan to the starting
XV.
Coolderry led by 1-7 to 0-2 at the interval, with Mark Bergin cracking in their
goal after twenty minutes, and while Alan Middleton's 39th minute goal gave
Ballyskenach a flicker of hope it wasn't enough to ignite a meaningful revival
from Gerry Kirwan's side. 'Skenach managed to score just one point from play
over the hour and that came as late as the 54th minute.
The outstanding fixture in Group 1, the last of the entire group series, between
Ballyskenach and Tullamore takes place this Saturday.
'Skenach (-20), after one victory from three games, have to beat Tullamore (+1)
by eleven points if they are to squeeze into the last eight. Coolderry (+40)
and Kilcormac/Killoughey (+24) occupy first and second place respectively in
Group 1.
It is a huge ask of Ballyskenach but they will have Brendan Murphy back from
holidays and he was the player that single-handedly architected the downfall
of Drumcullen three weeks earlier.
Tullamore, with two wins from three games, shouldn't slip up against 'Skenach
as they beat the same opposition three times last year, but even so they'll
have to be cautious. For Tullamore to move up in to second in the group they'd
have to beat 'Skenach by more than 23 points and that isn't likely to happen.
Presuming the result goes to form the quarter-final line-up will be Birr v Tullamore,
Coolderry v Shamrocks, Kinnitty v Lusmagh and St Rynagh's v Kilcormac/Killoughey.
The relegation semi-finals, yet to be drawn, will involve Belmont, Seir Kieran,
Drumcullen and most likely Ballyskenach.
Ballyskenach, who hadn't the services of Brendan Murphy, Aidan Franks (injured)
or Eugene Hannon (injured), opened the scoring with a converted free by Alan
Franks after 28 seconds however they failed to score again until injury time
at the end of the half.
Coolderry took a long time to find their momentum during a pedestrian and lack-lustre
opening ten minutes where the only noteworthy act was the yellow cards shown
to Trevor Corcoran and Ciaran Kirwan after they became entangled in an off-the-ball
tussle.
Damien Murray scored two lovely points from play and in the 13th minute Coolderry
'keeper Shane O'Connor landed a point from a free around 95 metres out. It was
a tremendous score that drew applause from the very sparse but appreciative
attendance.
Brian Carroll, operating at right half forward, dropped over a brace of points
and in the 20th minute Coolderry struck for a goal. Andrew Hall, one of three
intermediates called up to the team since they lost the IHC quarter-final to
Ballinamere, delivered a useful ball up-field. Murray's precise and skilful
flick prised open the 'Skenach defence. Barry Teehan passed to Mark Bergin and
he blasted to the roof of the net, 1-5 to 0-1.
Martin Corcoran and Murray ('65) added points for the 2004 county champions
and in the second minute of additional time Alan Middleton dropped over a '65
for 2003 county finalists 'Skenach. Half-time: Coolderry 1-7 Ballyskenach 0-2.
Coolderry continued to pile on the misery for 'Skenach on the re-start as Murray
scored two more points from play. Sub John Dooley converted a 'Skenach free
and Carroll did likewise from distance for Coolderry, 1-10 to 0-3.
Ballyskenach netted a goal in the 39th minute. Ciaran Kirwan, brother of this
Sunday's All-Ireland Final referee Diarmuid, persevered and won possession off
David Dooley and when the sliotar broke Alan Middleton, who switched to centre
forward, swept it to the net. Dooley and Murray traded pointed frees and in
the 44th minute Dooley was successful with his third free, 1-11 to 1-5.
Carroll and Barry Teehan replied with Coolderry points and Dooley (free) was
on target for 'Skenach. Teehan and Carroll (free) made it 1-15 to 1-6 before
Noel Murphy landed Skenach's only point from play in the 54th minute. Martin
Corcoran struck Coolderry's 15th wide and in the final minute centre back Kevin
Brady stormed up field and showed his forwards how it should be done with a
fine point off his hurley.
Coolderry won't be happy about the goal they conceded yet they restricted 'Skenach
to 1-1 from play and it is difficult argue against that. Andrew Hall won a lot
of possession and struck a lot of ball from mid-field. Damien Murray and Brian
Carroll, who contributed eleven points between them, looked lively up front
and Barry Teehan had a decent outing at centre forward, forcing 'Skenach to
move Alan Middleton to an attacking role for the second half.
With so many players absent, this was a no-win situation for 'Skenach and fair
play to them for not lying down meekly. Mark Kirwan and Tony O'Riordan hurled
well in defence and Derek Middleton gave it his all. Alan Middleton's effort
and enterprise couldn't be questioned and John Dooley took his frees well after
his introduction. It will be 'do or die' for 'Skenach against Tullamore and
knowing them they'll fight to the bitter end.
COOLDERRY: Shane O'Connor; Trevor Corcoran, Brendan O'Meara, David Dooley; John
McLoughney, Kevin Brady, James Masterson; Alan Corcoran, Andrew Hall; Brian
Carroll, Barry Teehan (capt.), Kevin Teehan; Mark Bergin, Martin Corcoran, Damien
Murray.
BALLYSKENACH: Tomas O'Toole; Morgan Lalor, Cathal Murphy, Tony O'Riordan; Daryl
Carney, Alan Middleton, Mark Kirwan; Shane Carroll, Derek Middleton; Timmy Hennessy,
Noel Murphy, Tadgh Maher; Alan Franks, Ronan Middleton, Ciaran Kirwan.
Subs.: Emmet Middleton for S Carroll (half time), John Dooley for A Franks (half
time), Philip Shanahan for T Maher (50 mins).
REFEREE: Tony Carroll, Kinnitty.
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