Rigney instrumental as Offaly Combined Schools continue Leinster title defence

The Offaly Combined Schools outfit made the trip to Stilorgan in Dublin, the home of Kilmacud Crokes, to face south Dublin school Colaiste Eoin in the Preliminary Quarter Final of the Leinster A Colleges Senior Hurling Championship on Wednesday.

Leinster Colleges Senior A Hurling Championship Preliminary Quarter Final

Offaly Combined Schools 2-11

Colaiste Eoin, Dublin 0-14

Played in lovely conditions on Wednesday afternoon it was the home side who took control of affairs in the opening ten minutes racing into a rapid five points to no score lead through Conal Ó’Riain along with two a piece from David Puirséil and Conor Mac Ruairc, showing a hundred percent shooting accuracy early on, while at the the opposite end the Offaly attack were really struggling to find the target shooting some poor early shots.

It was in the twelfth minute of the clash before the Faithful County men finally got on the score sheet when the excellent Shane Rigney blasted home a fantastic goal to settle his team into this clash. 

Fine play from Niall Furlong and Ajay Cleary led to the latter playing a lovely pass through to Ricky Fitzsimons who after great control pointed from close range.

Conail O’Súilleabhaín pointed exceptionally from a very tight angle on the twentieth minute mark to push his side back ahead by two.

James Liffey and Eoin Bailey- O’Brien's movement inside for Offaly was beginning to cause the hosts some trouble but the struggle to find scores was increasing with some gilt edge chances from both play and frees was becoming a real problem for the combined outfit, Liffey came close to a second goal but for an excellent block by Finn Ó’Dúill who injured himself in the process, Ajay Cleary pointed the resulting 65’.

Darragh Scully and Conor MacRuairc exchanged scores late on in the half before a Shane Rigney free left the sides all square on the sound of the half time whistle.

The Offaly men found their groove in the opening minutes of the second half through two Darragh Scully efforts and a fine Rigney point to give their side a three point lead coming up on the forty minute mark.

A short stick pass from a Colaiste Eoin defender was intercepted by Rigney on the forty five metre line before he peered through the heart of the defence blasting his and Offalys second goal of the contest which proved to be ultimately the match winning score.

Dublin Senior hurler Brendan Ó’ Cionnaith responded moments later before Offaly dual star Niall Furlong turned over a crucial ball and pointed to open the Offaly lead back out to six points.

David Puirséil pointed a sixty-five along with a Conail O’Súilleabhain score reduced proceedings back to four points before two long range frees through the sticks of Conal O’Riain and Gearóid O’Flannabhra really gave their side a lease of life as the clock ticked closer to injury time.

A close range free and a fine effort from play from the super Shane Rigney once again pushed Offalys noses four ahead and looking good.

Offaly were living on their wits in the closing moments and really trying to prevent the hosts finding their way through for a goal giving away two frees in a row which O’Flannabhra made no mistake in slotting over, one of those being cancelled out by Rigney to leave three between the sides deep in injury time.

Offaly supporters feared a bit of deja-vu in the fifth minute of injury time as Colaiste Eoin won a free just inside the forty five, the high ball into the square, however, was dealt with well by the reliable Liam Hoare in the Offaly goals before Caelum Larkin won the breaking ball quickly followed by the full time whistle to a very happy and relieved Offaly contingent who made the trip.

MATCH ANALYSIS

MAN OF THE MATCH

Ajay Cleary (Offaly Schools): While a case can certainly be made for Shane Rigney in the Offaly forward line and full back Ruairi Kelly who both were magnificent for the Offaly team, Coolderry clubman Ajay Cleary gets the nod.

Cleary, son of former Offaly and Birr defender Paul, was excellent at wing back for the Faithful county winning loads of aerial ball and also coming out of some rucks with valuable possession distributing the ball well to his team mates. Doing the simple thing right and not afraid to have a long range shot Cleary's improvement in recent times has certainly not gone unnoticed and he will certainly be looking to play his way into the Offaly u20 squad for 2024.

THE SCORERS

Offaly Combined Schools: Shane Rigney 2-5 (0-3f), Darragh Scully 0-3, Ricky Fitzsimons 0-1, Ajay Cleary 0-1 (65), Niall Furlong 0-1.

Colaiste Eoin: David Pursiel 0-3 (2f), Conor MacRuairc 0-3 (1f), Gearoid MacFlanbabhra 0-3 (frees), Conal O’Riain 0-2 (1f), Conal O’Suilleabhaín, Brendan O’Cionnaith, Padraig Mac Aogaín 0-1 each. 

THE TEAMS

Offaly Combined Schools: Liam Hoare (St Brendan’s Birr); Caelum Larkin (St Brendan’s Birr), Ruairi Kelly (Banagher College), Conor Taylor (Ard Scoil Ciaran); Ajay Cleary (St Brendan’s Birr), Mark Ryan St Brendan’s, Birr), Cillian Bourke (Colaiste Choilm, Tullamore); Ricky Fitzsimons (Banagher College) Niall Furlong (Colaiste Choilm, Tullamore); Shane Rigney (Banagher College), Liam O’Riordan (Roscrea), Cathal Robinson (St Brendan’s Birr); James Liffey (C.C. Roscrea), Eoin Bailey- O’Brien (St Brendan’s Birr), Darragh Scully (Banagher College). Subs: Eoin Neville (Killina) for O’Riordan (44min), James Morkham (Roscrea) for Liffey (61 mins inj)

Colaiste Eoin, Dublin: Marc Ó hAodha; Daniel O Tuama, Liam Ó Cuanaigh, Finn Ó Dúill; Finnian Ó Donnchú; Conal Ó Riain, Fiontán Ó Loideáin; Conor Mag Ruairc, Gearóid Ó Flannabhra; Pádraig Mac Aogáin, Breandán Ó Cionnaith, Fionn Ó Muirí; Cathal Ó Cuanaigh, David Puirséil, Conail Ó Súilleabháin. Subs: Stephan O’Raghallaigh for O’Dúill (18min inj), Padraig O’Corra for O’Muirí (27min), Cillian O’ Docraigh for O’Cuanaigh (51min)

Referee - Eugene Murphy (Dublin)

 VENUE WATCH

Stilorgan, the home of Kilmacud Crokes, was in great condition under the sunny sky with the pitch holding up well throughout, while soft in patches, given the time of year it was almost perfect for hurling. It was well marked out and everything was in order.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Shane Rigney's two goals were two crucial moments.

The first at a stage when Offaly were really struggling to find a score and five points down, it was pivotal to getting the score board ticking over.

His second was ten minutes into the second half putting Offaly six up and gave them a small bit of comfort. With out either Offaly would certainly have been in serious trouble.

TALKING POINT

The vast improvements the Offaly schools side once again are making as the campaign continues into the new year and wins over South Dublin Combined, Laois Schools and now Colaiste Eoin are morale boosting and giving the players exposure to high level A colleges hurling. 

Last year's side were victorious in this competition and it was a huge factor in the progress to Leinster u20 glory, so Leo O’Connor's charges will be hoping to continue that development in the coming months.

REFEREE WATCH

Eugene Murphy let the game flow really well here, playing the advantage rule extremely well and was consistent in his calls. He disallowed a Eoin Bailey-OBrien goal in the first half on the advice of his umpires, citing a square ball for his call, this seemed extremely harsh at the time but the umpire was closest to the action at the time. Late on the frees been awarded to the home side seemed to get a little bit softer in comparison to what the Offaly side were getting. But overall he done a steady job allowing some tough, hard hitting(all fair) and honest hurling. 

WHAT'S NEXT

Offaly are into the draw for a quarter final which is due to be played in early January, Colaiste Eoin's journey is over. 

CARDS

Yellow: Offaly Schools 1: Ruairi Kelly

Red None.