Shinrone survive late scare to send Seir Kieran out

A late 63rd minute score from Conor O’Sullivan was enough to give Shinrone a stunning win in the Intermediate Hurling Championship quarter final. Alongside 0-9 from Shane Sampson, and two long range frees from keeper Conor Cleary, it was enough for them to seal the job and break Seir Kieran’s hearts. 

Molloy Environmental Systems Intermediate Hurling Championship Quarter Final

Shinrone 1-19

Seir Kieran 3-12

A frantic opening 15-20 minutes saw both sides hit the back of the net, with a beautiful ball in from Kevin Murray found its way into full forward Auden Scully and he buried his effort into the net, however five minutes later, Shinrone had the ball in the net themselves thanks to Liam O’Regan blasting his effort home into the top corner, with Sean Liffey doing great work releasing the ball out to him. 

Shane Sampson was solid on free duty, while the work of the forwards was working wonders for them early on, with Liffey and Conor O’Sullivan working their magic.  Oisin Guinan was doing his best to keep his side in it with his placed balls, but Shinrone were just that bit sharper early doors headed towards the half time interval. 

Despite Shinrone being on top, Seir Kieran kept fighting back as a darting run from Declan Purcell saw his run the guts of 30 yards before unleashing a bullet of a strike into the top corner and bringing it back to just one moments before the end of the first period, and they almost took the lead but Gearoid Dooley’s effort was just wide of the post; giving Shinrone the initiative at the break. 

Half time Seir Kieran 2-5 - 1-9 Shinrone. 

Shane Sampson started the second half strong with Shinrone’s opening two scores, while Seir Kieran were fighting their way back into it, but were shooting poor wides by their standards. But they did find themselves level after the opening 10 minutes of the half, thanks to continued frees sent over by Oisin Guinan. James Morkan and Stephen Hynes exchanged further points from play, but it was becoming a story of wides hurting both sides, but Shinrone did then settle themselves thanks to a huge free from keeper Conor Cleary, and a nicely taken score from Patrick Sammon to extend their lead to three with just 15 to go. 

James Morkan tapped over an extra score to leave four between them. Joe Gilligan won a penalty after being chopped down inside the 14, giving the chance to Johnny Coughlan to keep Seir Kieran’s hopes alive heading into the final 10 minutes and he coolly dispatched the lead, with the score line reading 3-9 to 1-16. 

Guinan’s 57th minute free levelled up proceedings, before Shane Sampson sent over a 59th minute close range free to leave Shinrone in front. James Scully and Patrick Sammon exchanged scores respectively, with Johnny Coughlan’s Joe Cannig-esque score looking to have salvaged the game, but Conor O’Sullivan was on hand to deliver the crucial match winning score to send Shinrone into the semi finals. 

MATCH ANALYSIS

MAN OF THE MATCH

Patrick Sammon (Shinrone ): Shane Sampson had a terrific contribution from placed balls, while James Morkan and Sean Liffey also had massive performances. Oisin Guinan was also good with placed balls and Declan Purcell took his goal effort well. 

Patrick Sammon was an engine in midfield. Scoring, defending and just always attack minded. He was the big difference between Shinrone winning and losing today. 

THE SCORERS

Seir Kieran: Oisin Guinan 0-7 (5frees, 1 65); Johnny Coughlan 1-1 (1penalty); Aiden Scully 1-0; Declan Purcell 1-0; Stephen Hynes 0-2; Joe Gilligan and James Scully 0-1 each. 

Shinrone: Shane Sampson 0-9 (8frees); Conor O’Sullivan 1-2; James Morkan 0-3; Conor Cleary (2frees) and Patrick Sammon 0-2 each; 

THE TEAMS

Seir Kieran: Dylan Kennedy; Brian Dunne; Donal Coughlan; James Carroll; Johnny Coughlan; Colm Coughlan; Eanna O’Neill; Kevin Murray; James Scully; Joe Gilligan; Stephen Hynes; Gearoid Dooley; Oisin Guinan; Aiden Scully; Declan Purcell. Subs- Noelie Bergin for Dooley (37m); Conor Walsh for O’Neill (50m); Barry Bergin for Scully (54m) .

Shinrone: Conor Cleary; Paul Simpson ; Eoin Cleary; Colin O’Meara; Denis Coonan; Daniel Doughan; Shane Carroll; Patrick Sammon; Jack Ormond; Cian Maher; Sean Liffey; James Morkan; Liam O Regan; Conor O’Sullivan; Shane Sampson. Subs- Eoin Egan for Carroll (41m); Liam Clohessy for Liffey (58m). 

REFEREE WATCH

Declan Cooke refereed this game well, despite there being a few shapes thrown out between players at stages, he kept a cool head and never let it get the better of him and allowed the game to flow when needed. 

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

The match winning score from Conor O’Sullivan was simply a moment to behold as he caught a high ball before unleashing his effort whilst turning his marker inside out to send his side to within 60 minutes of a county final.

VENUE WATCH

Coolderry hosted the game very well, with the pitch in excellent condition and plenty of parking available to traveling supporters.

WHAT'S NEXT

Shinrone march into the semi finals, while Seir Kieran’s season is over. 

STATISTICS

Wides: Seir Kieran – 9  ( 3 in first half, 6 in 2nd half); Shinrone – 12  ( 4 in first half, 8  in 2nd half).

Yellow cards: Seir Kieran - (1) James Carroll; Shinrone – (2) Eoin Cleary and James Morkan 

Black cards: 0.

Red cards: Seir Kieran– (0 ); Shinrone – (0).