St Rynagh's scrape win with powerful finish to each half

WITH Birr having beaten group 1's two weaker teams, Kinnitty and Tullamore and St Rynagh's have defeated Tullamore in their only game to date, their meeting in Rath on Friday evening provided the first major test for both teams. In the wind up, it was St Rynagh's who were smiling as they scraped home for a win they just about deserved after a fiercely fought, very well contested hour of full blooded hurling.

Molloy Environmental Systems Senior Hurling Championship Group 1

St Rynagh's 2-19

Birr 0-21

This game was won and lost in the dying minutes of each half – Rynagh's got 1-3 without reply late in the first half to lead by 1-11 to 0-10 at the break and then struck for 1-2 late on to get the win that will almost certainly earn them a knockout place.

The wins over Kinnitty and Tullamore have set Birr up very nicely, making them odds on to claim a quarter-final place irrespective of their last two results. They will take plenty of consolation from the way they performed here as they battled so hard, hustling and bustling for everything and they were within touching distance of the win.

Having their two easiest games first has worked a dream for Birr has it has enabled them to prosper without rushing back their star player, Eoghan Cahill. The ace sharp shooter pulled his hamstring in Offaly's All-Ireland qualifier defeat by Tipperary and Birr have done what they have needed to do in his absence.

It was also a big test for St Rynagh's, even if a defeat would not have proven fatal. Having won three in a row from 2019 to 2021, St Rynagh's relinquished their crown last year and are determined to return to the winners' enclosure this year. They are serious contenders and the impression that this could be a last throw of the dice for them for a while is a powerful one – time will tell on that one but St Rynagh's have a handful of players with a lot of mileage up and there are question marks over the volume of emerging talent at their disposal.

A compelling, closely fought game emerged here and Birr certainly looked the more fired up, motivated side for a good 25 minutes. Yet they went in behind by 1-11 to 0-10 at half time, with St Rynagh's scoring 1-3 without reply from the 29th to 33rd minutes.

It was a lead that they did not truly deserve as Birr were the better team for much of the first half. Competing tigerishly for everything and working very hard, they asked real questions of the favourites.

The sides were level at 0-3 each when Birr turned the screw and points from Luke Nolan (2) and Lochlann Quinn (free) gave them a deserved 0-5 to 0-3 lead after 12 minutes. Birr still held a three point lead, 0-8 to 0-5 after 20 minutes but St Rynagh's work ethic improved as the half wore on. Regular points kept them ticking and two from Jerome Flannery and an Aidan Treacy free had them level, 0-8 each after 25 minutes. Joe Ryan and Colm Mulrooney got Birr back two in front but St Rynagh's took control before the break.

Luke O'Connor raced through for an excellent 29th minute goal after Sean Dolan did the donkey work and three points gave Rynagh's that four point half time lead.

At full time, the four point winning margin remained but St Rynagh's were pushed to the wire and it would not have taken a whole lot more for Birr to have snatched a big win.

Once again, St Rynagh's finished the half powerfully. The sides were level at 1-17 to 0-20 with five minutes left and it remained that way into injury time when the winners got the decisive scores.

Birr should have took the lead but Lochlann Quinn, on free taking duties in place of his cousin Eoghan Cahill, was wide from a very scoreable free – Quinn had also missed one in the first half but played well and hit the target with the bulk of his frees, including a couple of spectaculars.

St Rynagh's broke powerfully as Eoin Woods converted a free and then Gary Conneely, immense in the second half, put two in it. Birr hit back immediately with a point from Emmet Nolan to make it a one point game – Nolan's return this season has strengthened their attacking strength considerably and he scored four fine points.

A draw loomed but instead St Rynagh's broke in the 64th minute and Eoin Woods got the clinching goal with his strike having just enough power to get past new Birr keeper, Sean Thomspon.

Prior to that, it had been nip and tuck all the way through the second half with Birr showing real character. They got it back to a point, 0-16 to 1-14 after 42 minutes but a run of three unanswered points put St Rynagh's 1-17 to 0-16 ahead and back in control as it entered the last ten minutes.

Birr rallied superbly anf four points got them on level terms as time ticked away – a fine score from the excellent Brendan Murphy levelled it and the momentum was very much with Birr but they couldn't keep it going as St Rynagh's got the crucial late scores.

MATCH ANALYSIS

MAN OF THE MATCH

Eoin Woods (St Rynagh's): Plenty of contenders on both sides. Stephen Wynne and Pat Camon defended magnificently in the winning full back line to ensure Birr didn't get in for the goal they needed. Aidan Treacy also did very well for the winners while Barry Harding, Brendan Murphy and Emmet Nolan all made powerful contributions for Birr. The choice is St Rynagh's forward Eoin Woods. 1-3 of his 1-8 came from play, he was lively, showed well and displayed good skill on a difficult evening for hurling.

THE SCORERS

St Rynagh's: Eoin Woods 1-8 (5f), Aidan Treacy 0-5 (3f), Luke O'Connor 1-0, Jerome Flannery 0-3, Gary Conneely 0-2 each, Ben Conneely 0-1.

Birr: Lochlann Quinn 0-10 (9f), Emmet Nolan 0-4, Luke Nolan and Colm Mulrooney 0-2 each, Brendan Murphy, Morgan Watkins, Joe Ryan 0-1 each.

THE TEAMS

ST RYNAGH'S: Gary Kelly; Stephen Wynne, Pat Camon, Simon Og Lyons; Michael McLoughlin, Matthew Maloney, Conor Hernon; Ben Conneely, Sean Dolan; Joey O'Connor, Jerome Flannery, Gary Conneely; Luke O'Connor, Aidan Treacy, Eoin Woods. Subs – Brian Rigney for McLoughlin (37m), Shane Rigney for Luke O'Connor (51m), Aaron Kenny for Flannery (57m), Paul Quirke for Hernon (61m)

BIRR: Sean Thomspon; Campbell Boyd, Barry Harding, Oisin Murphy; Rory Carthy, Eoin Hayes, Brian Watkins; Joe Ryan, Brendan Murphy; Lochlann Quinn, Luke Nolan, Colm Mulrooney; Sean Ryan, Emmet Nolan, Morgan Watkins. Subs – Niall Lyons for Ryan (HT), Padraic Watkins for Boyd (36m).

Referee – Adam Kinahan (Clodiagh Gaels).

REFEREE WATCH

Adam Kinahan adopted a let it run policy but controlled the game well. He dished out cards when needed but not softly and contributed to an enjoyably tough game. There were a few times when Birr complained about frees not being awarded and they had a case with some of these but they balanced out. They also complained at some late frees given to St Rynagh's but most of these were fouls and Birr may have been guilty of contesting decisions too much.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Luke O'Connor's 29th minute goal was crucial. It gave St Rynagh's the initiative at a stage when they hadn't clicked into top gear and they really needed it to get them going.

VENUE WATCH

Drumcullen hosted this fixture very well. There was plenty of traffic at the Rath venue and car parking was problematic as throw in approached but they had loads of very efficient stewards and managed it well. The pitch was in good order. Heavy rain fell in the second half and it was quite dark by the end – 7.30pm throw ins are more of less gone now.

WHAT'S NEXT

St Rynagh's play Kilcormac-Killoughey while Birr have a bye in round 4.

STATISTICS

Wides: St Rynagh's – 7 (5 in first half); Birr 5 (2 in first half).

Yellow cards: St Rynagh's – 2 (Matthew Maloney and Joey O'Connor); Birr – 0.

Red cards: 0.