Classy Corofin conquer stubborn Stradbally
The Stradbally team that took to the field in Clare in a losing effort against Corofin that ended the Waterford side's journey in Munster.
For the second year in a row, Stradbally’s involvement in the Munster Intermediate Club football championship ended at the first hurdle, losing out to Clare champions Corofin by seven points playing on their own club grounds.
At the break the home side held a five-point advantage, and while Stradbally came more into the game in the third quarter at the end of which they trailed by three, they would score just once in the final quarter while the home side were able to find the scores that sees them progress to the semi finals in a couple of weeks.
At times this game was a hard watch, especially in the opening quarter where scores were like hens’ teeth. The home side created the first chance of note on four minutes but Diarmuid Cahill saw his powerful strike go across the face of the Stradbally goal and over the endline.
Pa Skehan opened the scoring for Stradbally on seven minutes and it took another six minutes for the home side to respond when Gearoid Cahill put over a free called for when Stradbally did not have three attackers inside the Corofin half of the field. They would quickly add one from play from Diarmuid Cahill to go one in front.
The games only goal came on 18 minutes. Awarded a free in the middle of the field, Cillian McGroary soloed and ran with the ball and in a movement that involved Damien O’Loughlin, Gearoid Cahill, and Evan Dolin, the latter played the ball to Senan Kirby who stroked to the net to give his side a 1-2 to 0-1 advantage.
Gearoid Cahill put over a brace of frees before some getting to know you happened in the middle of the field which saw Shane Ahearne and Gearoid Kelly pick up yellow cards for their troubles while Cillian Mullins picked up a black card for the hosts meaning he would sit out the remainder of the first half.
With a man advantage Stradbally hit scores from Pa Skehan and Jack Mullaney with Josh Ryan pulling one back for the hosts. Pa Skeahan would point from play for Stradbally on the half hour mark to leave his side trailing 1-6 to 0-4 at the break.
Michael O’Brien pointed for the Cove Men two minutes after the restart before pointing from a free and another from Michael Mullaney from play left two between the sides seven minutes into the second half.
An exchange of scores by Cillian McGroary and Pa Skehan by the 44-minute ensured that just two points separated the sides heading into the final quarter.
Josh Ryan and Michael O’Brien swapped scores in the three-minute spell, but Stradbally would not score after this as the home side in the closing minutes finished strong.
Cillian McGroary pointed from a free before a Jack Mullaney effort was saved by Luke Neylon who put the ball out for a 45 which resulted in nothing.
Gearoid Cahill fisted over from a tight angle at the other end. Cathal Flanagan, Gearoid Kelly, Gearoid Cahill and Cillian McGroary then added points in the closing minutes to help see their side advance.
Pa Skehan (1f), Michael O’Brien (1f 1 tp) 0-4 each, Jack Mullaney, Michael Mullaney 0-1 each.
Gearoid Cahill 0-5 (3f), Senan Kirby 1-0, Cillian McGroary 0-3 (1f), Josh Ryan 0-2, Cathal Flanagan, Diarmuid Cahill, Kevin Keane, Gearoid Kelly 0-1 each.
Christopher Casey; Brendan Gough, Sethrun Kiersey, Paul Connors; Luke Casey, Liam Fennell, Liam Kiersey; Jack Mullaney, Shane Ahearne; Pa Skehan, Cormac McGrath, Michael O’Brien; Conor Fennell, Barry O’Brien, Michael Mullaney.
Eoin O’Brien for Luke Casey (28), Joseph Fenlon for Barry O’Brien (35), Daniel Fenlon for Michael Mullaney (55).
Luke Neylon; Marc O’Loughlin, Cillian Mullins, John Rees; Cathal Flanagan, Damien O’Loughlin, Kevin Keane; Cillian McGroary, Gearoid Kelly; Cian Doolin, Colm O’Brien, Evan Doolin; Diarmuid Cahill, Gearoid Cahill, Senan Kirby.
Josh Ryan for Kevin Keane (25), Caoimhin O’Donovan for Cian Doolan (44).
James Regan (Cork)
