Terrific second half performance earns historic first title for Offaly Schools

OFFALY Schools turned in a terrific second half performance to capture the Leinster Post Primary Schools Senior Hurling 'A' title for the first time with a two point victory over famed St Kieran's College Kilkenny at Nowlan Park on Saturday.

Leinster PP Schools Senior Hurling 'A' Final

OFFALY SCHOOLS 1-16
ST KIERAN'S KILKENNY 1-14

Trailing by a point at half time having played with a fairly strong breeze, it looked a bit ominous for the Offaly side, but just as they had the previous Saturday in their semi-final victory over Good Counsel, Offaly Schools saved their best hurling for the second half and they were very deserving winners of the Corn Ui Dhuill for the first time.

Returning to the scene of Offaly's All-Ireland minor defeat to Tipperary last July, this side, which featured many of that minor team, came up trumps against their more revered opponents. Many had a fear of deja vu with St Kieran's attacking hard in five minutes of injury time and Offaly clinging to a one point lead, but Offaly weren't going to be denied this time and they sealed victory with a final point, much to the joy of their many supporters.

It was a terrific success for the Offaly side, who produced the goods when the chips were down. They struggled to get into their rhythm at times in the first half but they played with calmness and assurance in the second half and rally snuffed out the threat from the home side.

Offaly Schools had use of the wind in the first half but they didn't really turn that to their advantage. They hit some aimless balls forward, while their inside line seemed to be playing a bit too far out the field. They did respond well to conceding an early goal, just as they had done against Good Counsel the previous week, and hit the next five points of the game but they only managed to add two more in the second quarter.

Heading into the second half facing the wind, it was all to do for Offaly Schools and to their credit, when it mattered they produced the goods. They played intelligent hurling, picking out their men and when they got the chances they took their scores.

St Kieran's will be very disappointed with their display. They put themselves in a good position at half time but they were outhurled in the second half. Ted Dunne at full forward had caused Offaly problems in the first half but they didn't utilise his assets in the second half. A big strong full forward he was good under the high ball, but they didn't, or weren't allowed, to deliver that kind of ball to him in the second half.

St Kieran's were without two of their better players Harry Shine and Ben Whitty, but they will be the first to admit that on the day they were beaten by the better team.

Offaly Schools will be delighted with their success. They played with style and assurance and their hurling was rewarded. James Mahon grew into the game while Ruairi Kelly, Ben Miller and Brecon Kavanagh impressed in defence. Leigh Kavanagh and Dan Ravenhill worked hard in midfield while in attack Adam Screeney, Dan Bourke and Shane Rigney were best.

Killian Murphy, Bobby Murphy and Padraig Naddy did well in the St Kieran's defence, Aaron McEvoy did well in the middle and Ed McDermott and Ted Dunne were best in attack.

St Kieran's almost got off to the perfect start after 40 seconds when Ted Dunne collected a ball from Anthony Ireland Wall but his looped effort came back off the crossbar. Shane Rigney gave Offaly the lead after four minutes with a good point from 65m but St Kieran's hit back immediately and when Ted Dunne got the chance on this occsion he batted the ball to the Offaly net.

Adam Screeney quickly replied from a free and almost immediately he took a pass from Daniel Hand and picked off another point in the seventh minute. Offaly went in front for the first time after 12 minutes when Daniel Hand pointed after a good move involving Adam Screeney and Barry Egan and a lovely point from the left wing from Adam Screeney at the midway point of the half stretched their lead to two.

St Kieran's got their first point of the half after 20 minutes with a good effort from Ted Dunne and after Daniel Bourke responded for Offaly, after Daniel Hand had blocked an attempted clearance, Aaron McEvoy pointed a free and Ed McDermott quickly added another to level matters after 23 minutes.

Dan Bourke put Offaly ahead again three minutes before the break with a point from 65m but in first half injury time Aaron McEvoy from a free and Anthony Ireland Wall sent over points to give St Kieran's a 1-5 to 0-7 half time lead.

Aaron McEvoy stretched that lead from a free in the second minute of the second half and one sensed it might be a long half for Offaly. But no, they responded in style with the next four points, all from Adam Screeney, three frees and one from play, and they were also denied a goal after a brilliant move involving Dan Bourke, Dan Ravenhill and Conor Doyle when Daniel Hand was brilliantly closed down by goalkeeper Stephen Manogue.

Aaron McEvoy pointed an 11th minute '65' for St Kieran's but Dan Bourke and Dan Ravenhill, from a free from the middle of the field, stretched the lead to three points after 13 minutes. Ted Dunne and Aaran McEvoy reduced the lead to one again with 12 minutes left.

Then came the decisive moment of the game Stephen Manogue tried to pick out a man from a puck out but Adam Screeney intercepted, about 45m out, he set off for goals and despite the attentions of two defenders steered his shot low to the net. Conor Doyle quickly added a point and Offaly were five points clear.

St Kieran's weren't finished and two Aaron McEvoy points (free and a '65') and a fine point from play from Padraig Naddy left two in it. Adam Screeney pointed a free but Aaron McEvoy responded in kind and then Rory Glynn pointed to leave one in it with three minutes of injury time left. Killian Corcoran drove a chance of a leveller wide before Dan Bourke picked out Eoin Burke and he fired over to put Offaly two up again. They withstood one last St Kieran's effort before the final whistle saw them crowned champions.

MATCH ANALYSIS

THE TEAMS

OFFALY SCHOOLS: Kieran Coonan (Colaiste Choilm); Pat Taaffe (Gallen CS), James Mahon (Colaiste Naomh Cormac), Ruairi Kelly (Banagher College); Ben Miller (St Brendan's CS), Brecon Kavanagh (Colaiste Naomh Cormac), Barry Egan (Ard Scoil Chiarain Clara); Leigh Kavanagh (Colaiste Naomh Cormac), Dan Ravenhill (Colaiste Choilm); Shane Rigney (Banagher College), Conor Doyle (Ard Scoil Chairain), Daniel Bourke (Colaiste Choilm); Alex Kavanagh (Colaiste Naomh Cormac), Daniel Hand (Colaiste Naomh Cormac), Adam Screeney (Colaiste Naomh Cormac). Subs. Colin Spain (Colaiste Naomh Cormac) (for Alex Kavanagh, half time), Ter Guinan (Colaiste Choilm) (for Daniel Hand, 44 mins), Eoin Burke (St Brendan's CS) (for Ter Guinan, 54 mins).

ST KIERAN'S KILKENNY: Stephen Manogue; Killian Corcoran, Bobby Murphy, Tim Kelly; Bill Hughes, Jeff Neary, Padraig Naddy; Killian Doyle, Aaron McEvoy; Ed McDermott, Anthony Ireland Wall, Sean Hunt; Donagh Murphy, Ted Dunne, Niall Shortall. Subs. Rory Glynn (for Anthony Ireland Wall, 43 mins), Tomas Roche (for Sean Hunt, 53 mins), Cathal Hickey (for Bill Hughes, 60 mins).

REFEREE: Jamie McDonald (Laois).

MAN OF THE MATCH

Adam Screeney was the star of the show for Offaly Schools. He scored 1-8, 1-3 of that from play, and even with two men trying to cover him in the second half, St Kieran's weren't able to stop him scoring. Brecon Kavanagh and Dan Bourke (who played a full game for Colaiste Choilm less than 24 hours earlier) also deserve mention for their efforts.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Adam Screeney's goal was the decisive moment of the match. He showed great awareness to see where Stephen Manogue was aiming his puck out and he cut out the ball, quickly gathered possession and headed straight for goals. There was only one thing on his mind and he drilled his shot low to the net. It gave Offaly the cushion they held until the end

REFEREE WATCH

Jamie McDonald did a good job throughout. He was up with the play, was consistent in his decisions and kept control of proceedings at all times.

TALKING POINT

Offaly Schools once again showed great patience and assurance. They didn't panic when they went behind and worked their way back into the game. They used the ball well and their cohesiveness and team work was impressive as they overturned the half time deficit and claimed victory.

WHAT’S NEXT

As a combined schools team Offaly can't advance to the All-Ireland series, so this is the end of the road for them. St Kieran's will advance to the All-Ireland series and will play an All-Ireland quarter final in a couple of weeks.

VENUE WATCH

On a lovely spring day Nowlan Park was in good condition for the final. The shortage of programmes for patrons for a provincial final was a disappointment.

STATISTICS

Wides; Offaly Schools 6 (5 in first half) St Kieran's 7 (4 in first half)

Yellow Cards: Offaly Schools 0 St Kieran's 1 (Killian Doyle)

Red Cards: None

THE SCORERS

Offaly Schools; Adam Screeney (1-8, 0-5 frees), Dan Bourke (0-3), Shane Rigney, Daniel Hand, Dan Ravenhill (free), Conor Doyle, Eoin Burke (0-1 each).

St Kieran's; Aaron McEvoy (0-8, 0-6 frees, 0-2 '65s'), Ted Dunne (1-2), Ed McDermott, Anthony Ireland Wall, Padraig Naddy, Rory Glynn (0-1 each).