Strong finish sees Carrig & Riverstown capture Junior B hurling title

Molloy Precast & Environmental Systems Junior B Hurling Final

CARRIG & RIVERSTOWN 1-15

KILCORMAC/KILLOUGHEY 0-15

THREE points without reply in the closing minutes enabled Carrig & Riverstown to capture the Offaly Junior B hurling title for the second time in three years after a very entertaining final against Kilcormac/Killoughey in Rath on Sunday evening.

When Kilcormac/Killoughey levelled for the 11th time in the game with four minutes left, extra time was a real possibility but Carrig & Riverstown lifted their effort in the remaining minutes to hit three points from play without reply and seal a hard earned win.

The fact that the sides were level 11 times is an indication of how close things were throughout and the lead changed hands on a number of occasions. Only once prior to the final minutes had the gap between the sides gone above two points and the outcome was in the balance until the final whistle as Kilcormac/Killoughey pushed for an equalising goal, which would have sent the game to extra time.

After the defeat suffered by their senior B side in the semi-final the previous day, this was some consolation for Carrig & Riverstown and over the hour they probably did edge things but missed some clearcut chances that could have made their victory a little more comfortable.

The sides shared a brace of points each early on before Kilcormac/Killoughey opened up a three point lead by the 10th minute. Carrig & Riverstown then levelled with the only goal of the game and from there to half time there was just one brief spell when they was more than a point between the sides with Carrig & Rivestown going in at the break one ahead, 1-7 to 0-9.

It continued that way early in the second half before Carrig & Riverstown went two up approaching the midway point of the half but Kilcormac/Killoughey hit back to level again and they were still level with four minutes left before Carrig & Riverstown hit those three points to seal the win.

This was a very competitive game with a lot of good hurling and both sides approached it in the right manner. There was plenty of skill on display, some excellent defensive work on both sides and some well taken scores.

Carrig & Riverstown had a greater spread of scorers and showed a greater ability to score from play with 1-11 of their tally coming from play, whereas just 0-6 of Kilcormac/Killoughey's total came from play as they relied on the accuracy of the evergreen Trevor Fletcher for their other nine points. Indeed, Kilcormac/Killoughey failed to score from play in the second half with all their scores in that period coming from Trevor Fletcher placed balls.

Carrig & Riverstown will be delighted with their victory. They went through the year unbeaten and are deserved champions at the end of the day.

This was effectively Kilcormac/Killoughey's fourth team and it is a sign of the health of hurling in the club that they had 29 players named on the programme for this game and that they were so competitive. In the end they came up just short but can be proud of their efforts.

Shane O'Brien had a very solid game in goals for Carrig & Riverstown and played with great confidence. Eoin Sullivan had a strong game at full back with Marc Reedy doing well in the corner and Paddy King and Michael Keane impressing on the half back line. Canice Stephenson stood out in the middle of the field, ably assisted by Sean Connaughton, while in attack Michael Hough, Michael Kennedy and Shane Collins made important contributions.

Joe Lynch had a good hour in the Kilcormac/Killoughey goals and in front of him Kevin Coyle, Mikey Ryan and Peter Howley worked very hard in defence. David Coyne put in a big effort in the middle of the field while in attack captain Aidan Bracken led by example with Ciaran Kenny and Trevor Fletcher also causing a lot of problems.

Kilcormac/Killoughey opened the scoring in the second minute when Trevor Fletcher showed a lovely bit of trickery in the left corner before pointing from a difficult angle. Michael Kennedy levelled before Kevin Grogan set up Trevor Fletcher for a goal chance but he hit the sidenetting.

Canice Stephenson put Carrig & Rivestown in front but Kilcormac/Killoughey enjoyed a purple spell with four points in a row, two from Ciaran Kenny and one each from Martin Murray and Trevor Fletcher (free) to put them 0-5 to 0-2 in front in the 10th minute.

A minute later Carrig & Riverstown struck for the only goal of the game. Canice Stephenson directed a sideline cut goalwards and when it broke Michael Hough shot first time to the net to level the sides. He then put his side back in front but Aidan Bracken quickly levelled again. Matthew Power and Trevor Fletcher exchanged points from frees before Shane Collins and Canice Stephenson put Carrig & Riverstown two up. A Trevor Fletcher free and a point from Aidan Bracken levelled matters again but Shane Collins pointed again just before the break to send Carrig & Riverstown in leading 1-7 to 0-9 at half time.

Two Trevor Fletcher frees had Kilcormac/Killoughey in front again five minutes after the break but Sean Connaughton levelled from a free again. Aidan Bracken's goalbound effort was turned outside the post by Shane O'Brien for a '65' which Trevor Fletcher pointed but Sean Connaughton replied with another free.

Then Canice Stephenson fired Carrig & Riverstown back in front and straight from the puck out Eoin King returned the ball between the posts to push them two clear midway through the half only for Trevor Fletcher to level again from a brace of frees. Sean Connaughton (free) and Trevor Fletcher ('65') left them level for the 11th time with four minutes left and it was getting difficult to separate them.

But Carrig & Riverstown put in a strong finish. Michael Hough put them back in front with a good point under pressure and Michael Kennedy then gathered a good ball from Canice Stephenson and scored another. With their tails up sub John Cashen steered over a great point from near the left sideline and suddenly a goal separated them. Kilcormac/Killoughey pushed for an equalising goal without success and then deep in injury time were reduced to 14 men when Kevin Coyle picked up a second yellow card but the final whistle followed shortly after.

MATCH ANALYSIS

THE TEAMS

CARRIG & RIVERSTOWN: Shane O'Brien; Kian McDowall, Eoin Sullivan, Marc Reedy; Cathal Hanlon, Paddy King, Michael Keane; Canice Stephenson, Sean Connaughton; Diarmuid Brennan, Michael Kennedy, Michael Hough; Eoin King, Shane Collins, Matthew Power. Subs. Mark Hogan (for Matthew Power, half time), John Cashen (for Shane Collins, 44 mins), Kieran O'Brien (for Eoin King, 63 mins).

KILCORMAC/KILLOUGHEY: Joe Lynch; Eamonn Keenan, Kevin Coyle, Diarmuid Bracken; Stephen Gleeson, Mikey Ryan, Peter Howley; David Coyne, Brian Moore; Ciaran Kenny, Kevin Grogan, Martin Murray; Aidan Bracken, Trevor Fletcher, Jack Buckley. Subs. Jimmy Kavanagh (for Stephen Gleeson, 28 mins), Liam White (for Jack Buckley, half time), Ian Keating (for Brian Moore, 51 mins).

REFEREE: Kyle Waters.

MAN OF THE MATCH

There were strong contenders on both sides, Aidan Bracken and Trevor Fletcher impressing for Kilcormac/Killoughey, while Michael Hough, Eoin Sullivan and Michael Kennedy made strong contributions for Carrig & Riverstown but I've gone with Carrig & Riverstown midfielder Canice Stephenson for a strong all round performance over the full hour. He was constantly involved in the action from the start, scoring three points from play from midfield and helping to set up a number of other scores.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

The game was in the balance in the 57th minute with the sides level and extra time looming. But Michael Hough fired over a good point under pressure for Carrig & Riverstown to regain the lead and Michael Kennedy and John Cashen followed with two more to seal their win.

REFEREE WATCH

Kyle Waters was always in charge in this game and applied the rules in a strict manner, particularly being consistent in penalising overcarrying on both sides. He was clear in his decision making in a very efficient manner.

WHAT’S NEXT

Carrig & Riverstown finish the year as Junior B champions and can look forward to playing Junior A next year while it's the end of the season for this Kilcormac/Killoughey side.

VENUE WATCH

As always the Drumcullen club had everything in order in Rath. There were plenty of stewards to control parking and traffic, the pitch was in good fettle and the coffee shop on site was a welcome bonus for many on an Autumnal evening.

STATISTICS

Wides; Carrig & Riverstown 11 (6 in first half) Kilcormac/Killoughey 8 (4 in first half)

Yellow Cards: Carrig & Riverstown 2 (Michael Hough, John Cashen) Kilcormac/Killoughey 3 (Kevin Grogan, Kevin Coyle x 2)

Black Cards: None

Red Cards: Carrig & Riverstown 0 Kilcormac/Killoughey 1 (Kevin Coyle)

THE SCORERS

Carrig & Riverstown; Michael Hough (1-2), Canice Stephenson (0-3), Sean Connaughton (0-3, frees), Michael Kennedy, Shane Collins (0-2 each), Matthew Power (free), Eoin King, John Cashen (0-1 each).

Kilcormac/Killoughey; Trevor Fletcher (0-10, 0-7 frees, 0-2 '65s'), Ciaran Kennedy, Aidan Bracken (0-2 each), Martin Murray (0-1).