Belmont run into empty as Coolderry book quarter-final berth with best display of year

AT the end of an hour plus of fiercely fought, full blooded intensity, no holds barred hurling, Coolderry were smiling as they booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Senior Hurling Championship with a fully deserved win over a disappointing and bitterly disappointed Belmont in St Brendan's Park on Saturday evening.

Molloy Environmental Systems Senior Hurling Championship Group 2

Coolderry 1-24

Belmont 2-13

With the winners going into the quarter-final and losers heading out, this was a high stakes shootout with no hiding place for anyone and every ball contested fully.

It wasn't brilliant hurling but it couldn't be that with so much at stake. Instead, it was engrossing, compelling encounter and it was all very exciting and entertaining.

In the wind up, Coolderry were full value for a comprehensive win that was even more comfortable than the final tally suggests. They didn't have it all their own way but they were the better side by a distance, easily producing their best display of the year.

They had excellent sustained spells of pressure in both halves and always looked like they would win. There was only a fleeting period in the first half, an even shorter spell midway during the second half when it looked like Belmont might pull it off but as Coolderry sauntered clear, it all ended up in a bit of an anti climax.

While Coolderry are championship outsiders, their ability to perform means that they will retain full respect and no one will take them in any way for granted.

For Belmont, it was a poor end to a poor season during which they never ignited. They just ran out of steam here, going completely into empty and when Coolderry turned the screw, they had nothing in the tank. Belmont have been very close to reaching a final in recent years and a series of heartbreaking defeats eventually exacted a toll and they paid their dues here.

They tried hard but it just didn't happen for them. On an almost perfect evening for hurling with no real wind impacting, Belmont seemed to be up against it all afternoon. Their energy levels were not quite right, their hurling not quite good enoough and they have no complaints at this outcome.

Coolderry were the better team in the first half and full value for their 0-12 to 0-7 half time lead. They came flying out of the blocks with three lightening points in two minutes and it took Belmont a while to settle. They eventually did with Leon Fox winning crucial ball in defence and they knuckled down to get it back to level terms, 0-6 each after sixteen minutes.

Then Coolderry found another gear, rattling over five points without reply in a great period of dominance. The very lively Kevin Connolly got two of them and David Nally (free) and Daniel Miller swopped late points to leave that five point gap in it at the break – Belmont should have got a 28th minute goal but Stephen Corcoran made a super point blank save from David Nally.

Coolderry were very good in the second half, controlling it most of the way. After an early David Nally free, they hit a purple patch. Dominating all sectors, they got five of the next six points for a 0-17 to 0-9 lead after 42 minutes and only a fantastic rob by Leon Fox denied William Malone a goal.

With the gun to their head, Belmont did dig deep. David Nally got a free and his brother James got in for an excellent 44th minute goal after a searching run by the lively Cathal Flynn. Patrick Taaffe and David Nally added points as Belmont scored 1-3 without reply to bring the gap back to two points and fourteen minutes left.

It looked like Coolderry were in trouble and Belmont had a chance to ask deeper questions but Paddy Clancy went for goal when he probably should have took his point, the ball was cleared and Coolderry rallied again. Daniel Miller settled them with a 49th minute free and three more points had them 0-21 to 1-12 clear with seven minutes left.

The game was up for Belmont and David Nally showed this when going for goal from a 25 metre free. Brian Carroll helped power Coolderry over the line off the bench, scoring a point and a quality 59th minute goal and it all meant that David Nally's injury time goal from a Belmont free was immaterial.

MATCH ANALYSIS

MAN OF THE MATCH

William Malone (Coolderry): William Malone had a very productive hour for Coolderry, playing his best hurling of the year. He scored four crucial points from play, almost got in for a goal and his work rate was exemplary as he chased back and fought for everything. Stephen Burke, David King, Daniel Miller and Kevin Connolly also impressed for Coolderry while Leon Fox was Belmont's best player.

THE SCORERS

Coolderry: Daniel Miller 0-6 (3f and 1 '65'), Brian Carroll 1-1, Kevin Connolly and William Malone 0-4 each, Stephen Corcoran 0-3 (3f), David King and Gearoid McCormack 0-2 each, Conor Molloy, Eoghan Parlon 0-1 each.

Belmont: David Nally 1-7 (1-6, f), James Nally 1-0, Leon Fox 0-2 (1f), Mark Egan, Patrick Taaffe, Paddy Clancy, Ronan McEvoy 0-1 each.

THE TEAMS

COOLDERRY: Stephen Corcoran; Stephen Connolly, Stephen Burke, Paddy Maher; Cathal Burke, Billy Burke, David King; Cian Burke, Conor Molloy; Eoghan Parlon, Gearoid McCormack, Daniel Miller; Eoin Ryan, Kevin Connolly, William Malone. Subs – Brian Carroll for Ryan (42m), Eoin Burke for McCormack (52m), Cian O'Connor for Maher (55m), Andy Connolly for Parlon (60m), James Tooher for Miller (60m).

BELMONT: Barry Egan; Conor Kenny, Conor Butler, Shane Nally; Jack Clancy, Mark Egan, Leon Fox; Patrick Taaffe, Damien Egan; Paddy Clancy, Cathal Flynn, Mark Cahill; Ronan McEvoy, James Nally, David Nally. Subs – Joe Maher for McEvoy (37m), David Kelly for James Nally (56m)m, Conor Dunican for Damien Egan (56m), Jack Egan for Mark Egan (58m),

Referee – Joey Deehan (Clara).

REFEREE WATCH

Joey Deehan gave his customary professional display and there were no incidents of note.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Daniel Miller's 49th minute free was the moment we knew Coolderry would win. It came after Belmont and brought the gap back to two points, restored Coolderry's confidence and they powered home from here.

VENUE WATCH

Birr GAA Club hosted this double bill very well and the pitch was in very good order.

WHAT'S NEXT

Coolderry go into the quarter-finals and Belmont's year is over.

STATISTICS

Wides: Coolderry – 11(6 in first half); Belmont – 6 (3 in first half).

Yellow cards: 0.

Red cards: 0.