Premier Intermediate Hurling - Round 6
CROAGH KILFINNY 1-14
SOUTH LIBERTIES 2-13
While one will often be reminded of ânecessityâ being âthe mother of inventionâ, a far more interesting take on it is provided to us by St Francis of Assisi: âstart by doing what is necessary, then do what is possible; and suddenly one can do the impossibleâ.* Hitherto this junction, perhaps the South Liberties club could be accused of failing to do the necessities of hurling â scrap for every ball, and let the rest take care of itself. On Friday evening in a wet Adare, the Knockea club went back to the very basic fundamentals of the game, and did the necessary, ensuring their fight for Premier Intermediate survival will go the very last day.
Aided by a slight breeze, South Liberties intent and determination was evident from the very start of play - corner forward Ken Byrnes opening the scoring through a pointed free. The men from the east hit two of the next three scores to lead 0-3 to 0-1 after ten minutes, with John Hickey hitting a great point on the run.
The busy Ken Byrnes released Brian Garry on 14 minutes to blast a shot towards Dave Lynch, only to see the Kilfinny custodian brilliantly parry away the effort and confidently deal with the rebound. Andrew Meade was showing early promise for Croagh, the speedster knocking over two early points from play. Having already threatened for a goal, South Liberties scored one soon after, following a series of tit for tat points between the sides. Brian Garry was not to be denied for a second time â collecting a long delivery, he turned marker Aidan OâShea and blasted low past keeper Dave Lynch to the net. Liberties now led by five â 1-6 to 0-4 â after 18 minutes of play.
Croagh, frustrated by the ball not sticking inside, moved sharp-shooter Cian OâCarrol from the 40 into the full line. This switch worked to a degree, as the westerners outscored Liberties by 0-4 to 0-2 for the remainder of the half, with OâCarroll himself collecting two points from play. Croagh were hampered however by seven first half wides, compared to their opponents two. Thus, last yearâs relegated senior outfit Liberties went to the dressing room leading 1-8 to 0-8 at the sounding of Eamon Stapletonâs whistle for the break.
The second half was barely 90 seconds old when South Liberties struck for their second goal â centre forward John Hickey slotting a rebound past Dave Lynch following an initial save from the latter. They followed this up soon after with a Byrnes free to move them seven clear. Tom McMahonâs point being the only Croagh/Kilfinny resistance. Both sides exchanged some poor wides in the first quarter, indeed it took Liberties another 18 minutes to register their next score. Croagh, despite having more of the play, struggled with their shooting efficiency as well as Liberties tigerish defending. The Knockea men, despite not creating as many opportunities, were in Croaghâs faces all night, as every free won was cheered vociferously by players and supporters alike.
The Adare pitch was in superb nick, however underfoot conditions on a dry evening were proving difficult due to the previous 24 hours rain. A series of pointed frees from OâCarroll allied to an Andrew Meade point from play, saw Croagh reduce the deficit to four points. Despite playing with the wind, Croagh continued their measured approach, often hitting the corners or working the ball up the field. This contrasted with Liberties more direct approach, especially to their dangerous inside line. Liberties were also more likely to shoot from distance, and were accurate for the most part.
Brian Garryâs point from play ended Liberties scoring drought on 50 minutes, and soon they thought they had a third goal when Dave Lynch reacted well to parry away Eoghan Godfreyâs bullet shot. Croaghâs response to that fortunate escape was clinical, when a long delivery in bounced right for Cian OâCarroll to turn and shoot low to the net. The momentum was now all with the westerners and an OâCarroll â65 levelled the match at 1-13 to 2-10 on 56 minutes. The remaining seven minutes, including injury time, was a story of Croaghâs inability to nudge ahead, with Liberties winning important frees following stout defending and marshalled superbly by Barry Nash. Croagh could only muster a Seamus OâCarroll point from play. Ken Byrnes nailed three frees for Liberties, including a difficult one from the far sideline. The Knockea men held their nerve to win out 2-13 to 1-14 after what was an entertaining if sometimes error ridden game.
The reality was stark for South Liberties last night â win, or face the prospect of a second successive relegation inside 12 months. For the club of JP McManus, the need was simply greater, and it told in their play.
Work rate was the key to South Liberties win. They belied their underdog status to turn in a heartening and highly efficient performance, converting 15 out of 19 chances created. They had energy all over the field â none more so than in the middle of the park through Eoghan Godfrey and Shane Kilcoyne. John Hickey at 11 hit 1-2 and gave Croagh centre back Barry Lenihan plenty of problems throughout the evening. Their dangerous inside line of Brian Garry, Darragh Godfrey and Ken Byrnes linked well throughout the game. Liberties entire full back line Paddy OâDonnell, Eoin Quilty and Alex Keyes deserve immense credit for the job they did on limiting Croaghâs inside forwards. Cian OâCarroll did give Keyes plenty to think about but didnât have the same influence as in previous games. Barry Nashâs influence was such that Croagh tried to avoid him for much of the game.
Croagh will rue the 13 wides they hit on the night, including three placed balls. Credit is due to Liberties doggedness in closing down the space - some of Croaghâs shots were hit under pressure, or from wide angles. A percentage however, were eminently scoreable. Two butchered second half goal opportunities will also be of regret to the men from the west â one being where Andrew Meade, in on goal, dropped the sliothar upon receiving a pass. Then later, Seamus OâCarroll elected to pass when in a better position to shoot. Croagh had good performances on the night from Dave Lynch, Denis Lenihan, Tom McMahon, Barry Lenihan, Seamie Lenihan, Andrew Meade, Seamus OâCarroll, as well as the always dangerous Cian OâCarroll.
SCORERS FOR SOUTH LIBERTIES: Ken Byrnes 0-7 (7f), John Hickey 1-2, Brian Garry 1-1, Eoghan Godfrey, Shane Brosnahan, Darragh Godfrey 0-1 each.
SCORERS FOR CROAGH/KILFINNY: Cian OâCarroll 1-6 (3f, 1 â65), Andrew Meade 0-3, Seamus OâCarroll 0-2, John Wall, Conor Lenihan, Tom McMahon 0-1 each.
STAR MAN: Eoghan Godfrey (South Liberties). The Liberties midfielder was full of running in the engine room. Notched a monster point from play and only a terrific stop from Dave Lynch stopped Godfrey from adding a goal to his tally. Won numerous frees throughout the game, including vital ones approaching full time.
WIDE COUNT: Croagh-Kilfinny 13, South Liberties 4.
REF WATCH: 8/10 â Doonâs Eamon Stapleton showed again why he is one of the best, if not the best referee in the county. Missed a couple of pull backs by both teams, but handled the match efficiently in general and was consistent throughout. He communicated well and early with both players and management alike.
