Carlow 0-15 New York 0-10
This novel pairing of Carlow versus New York in the preliminary quarter final of the Tailteann Cup at Dr. Cullen Park, Carlow, was a game of very contrasting halves.
New York had much the better of exchanges in the first half, and they went in leading by two points at the short whistle, 0-8 to 0-6. The second half was completely different as Carlow dominated, they outscored their opponents by nine points to two.
Though it’s obvious that Carlow advanced the scoreboard significantly, the end result could have been different if New York had any success or luck with two goal-bound attempts, one was in the middle of the second period, and the other toward the end of the game. Goalkeeper Furrey brilliantly saved the first one, while the upright stopped the other attempt as time had nearly expired.
Carlow were deemed strong favorites by the bookies and pundits after recording victories over Longford and Wicklow. Meanwhile New York won the toss and elected to play with the breeze and opted for a very defensive approach as there were 14 players behind the ball on occasions. New York looked set to have the first score as Bill Maher was fouled close in but Shane Carthy uncharacteristically sent the free wide.
Then when play switched to the other side Conor Crowley was fouled, thus setting up the chance for Carlow’s chief marks man, Darragh Foley, to get the opening score. The game was soon on level terms as a nice movement involving Liam Kearney and Shane Carthy sent Shane Brosnan through for New York’s first score after five minutes.
Dara Foley accentuated his class with a fine long range score from away out on the wing. Shane Carthy soon landed his team’s second score as a close in free was awarded for a late hit. In the early stages New York did very well transitioning from defense to attack and a powerful run by Daniel O’Sullivan ended with a point and the lead. New York continued to dictate matters as a very strong run by Gavin O’Brien landed a super point, and he rode a few robust tackles on the way. He soon added another point.
Carlow were having difficulty coping with New York’s blanket defense, and were forced to shoot in less than optimal conditions, resulting in wides. Colum Holton did eventually get through for a point after a very patient build up. That score seemed to help get Carlow back on track and also on target as Conor Doyle followed up with a super score from about the fifty yard line against wind and rain to reduce the deficit to a point with ten minutes left in the period. Two minutes later a nice sequence of passes by Bill Maher and the hard working Liam Kearney set up Shane Carthy to score from play. When play switched to the other side Darragh Foley reduced the deficit to the minimum with a pointed free from a very difficult angle.
The game was now evolving more to a tit for tat format as a foul on Adam Loughlin-Stones ended with another pointed free from Shane Carthy. New York should have gone three up as Liam Kearney worked his way through the defense, but his fisted effort fell wide. Both teams scored in the two minutes of added time. First Darragh Foley was fouled around the “45”, but dissent turned the free into a simple task for the free-taker. Jack Reilly curled in an effort from the wing to conclude the scoring for the first half as New York went in leading at the break, very deservingly, by 0-8 to 0-6.
Judging from New York’s competent, confident and composed first half performance, it appeared that another upset was in the offing. However that perception changed very quickly as Carlow’s performance improved markedly in the second half, while New York’s declined substantially. The Yanks seemed to have lost the vigor and vim that portrayed the first half. Too often they were turned over and passes failed to find their intended targets. Carlow had two points in the first three minutes courtesy of Darragh Foley and Ciaran Moran.
Still New York looked to be in the hunt as another strong run by Liam Kearney ended with a foul and a pointed free from Shane Carthy. However New York would not score again for 30 minutes, while Carlow stepped up their performance considerably and put seven unanswered points on the board. On the ten minute mark Carlow levelled up with a spectacular point from Conor Doyle and two minutes later Jordan Morrissey landed an equally superb score for the lead. This duo of points really energized Carlow and another foul and a subsequent free increased their lead. New York now were under siege and a powerful run by Colum Holton looked destined to end up in the back of the net, but the shot was initially ruled wide. However after consultation with the umpires, the referee awarded a point to Carlow.
The game was now very much on Carlow’s terms as New York were pinned back in defense. However on a rare counter attack involving Robert Wharton, Mark Ellis and Johnny Glynn saw the ball released to Luke Kelly for a shot at goals, but the effort was brilliantly saved by keeper Johnny Furrey. Carlow, after that let-off opted to play a possession and patient game. At the optimal moment Seanie Bambrick took off at pace, dodged a few defenders before slotting the ball over the bar.
Carlow further extended their lead after they broke up a New York attack, Conor Crowley slotted over after Mickey Bambrick did the support work to lead by six points with just five minutes left on the clock. In the first minute of added time Cillian Butler got New York’s second point of the half. Luke Kelly did get off another shot at goal as time was nearly up, but his effort hit the bottom of the upright.
Overall a spirited and disciplined performance by New York, but obviously they lacked penetrative power up front. Most prominent for New York were Alan Campbell, Liam Kearney, Robbie Warton, Gavin O’Brien, Daniel O’Sullivan, Johnny Glynn and Shane Carthy. The fact that Adrian Varley, Niall Madine and Mikey Brosnan and were not available certainly lessened their scoring potential. New York also had to travel without Mickey Cunningham and Eoghan Kerin.
Carlow: Johnny Furrey, Shane Buggey, Mike Bambrick, Mark Furrey, Niall Hickey, Shane Clarke. Colum Horan(0-1) Conor Doyle(0-2), Jordan Morrissey(0-1), Conor Crowley(0-1), Josh Moore, Ross Dunphy, Colm Hulton(0-2), Darragh Foley(0-7), Jamie Clarke. Subs Liam Roberts, John Dunne, Aaron Amond, Eric Morley, Padraig Deering, Finbarr Kavanagh, Paddy Regan, Seanie Bambrick(0-1) Bryan McMahon
New York: Brendan Cole, Jamie Boyle, Alan Campbell, Shane Bolger, Robbie Warton, Peter Fox, Brendan Maher, Johnny Glynn, Liam Kearney, Dan O’Sullivan(0-1), Shane Brosnan(0-1), Shane Carthy(0-4), Jack Reilly(0-1), Gavin O’Brien(0-2), Adam Loughlin-Stones. Subs Mark Ellis, Tiernan Mathers, Luke Kelly, Cillian Butler(0-1), Connell Ahearn.
Tipp goals are
the difference
Tipperary 2-15 Clare 0-15
In this hurling contest between Munster rivals there were plenty clashes of the ash, and there was little quarter asked for or given. Proceedings simmered frequently but referee Chris Dalton managed to keep the lid on. Though there was little between the sides in this hotly contested affair, Tipp’s victory was bookended by two well-taken goals.
Meanwhile Clare were first score, a well taken point from an acute angle by Trevor Fallon. Tipp replied quickly with a pointed free from Conor Hammersley and James Hynes sent over from long range. Shane Golden levelled up but Tommy Kavanagh put his team ahead with a point. That lead was extended by a very well worked goal from James Hynes on the ten minute mark. The scoring pendulum now swung to the Banner county as Shane Golden(2) and Trevor were on target to leave a point between the sides at the quarter stage. Now it was Tipp’s turn as Conor Hammersley(2) and AJ Willis raised flags. The tit for tat nature continued as Dylan Mulligan and David O’Brien landed fine points. However Tipp would land the next three scores courtesy of Hammersley and Willis. Though Clare finished the period strongly with a brace from Trevor Fallon, they trailed by 1-10 to 0-9 at the short whistle. Tipp extended the lead with a brace from Hammersley, but that was matched by points from Cathal O’Connell and Damien O’Brien.
Midway Tipp’s lead was at six points, but Clare began to whittle it down with points from Damien O’Brien, Shane Golden and Cathal Darcy. Indeed they looked set to narrow the gap to the minimum but keeper Keith Robinson saved brilliantly from Shane Golden. The exchanges were fast and furious as Clare battled fiercely to get that elusive goal, while Tipp were adamant that their net was well guarded. Shane Golden did get another point, but a late goal from AJ Willis certified the win for Tipp. Overall a great game played with great intensity and plenty of passion, and I’m sure the sizeable crowd thoroughly enjoyed the exchanges
Clare: Ronan Callinan, Sean Collins. Tadgh Conellan, Finn O’Reilly, Cathal O’Carroll, Enna Barry, Barry O’Connell, Shane Golden, Cathal Darcy, Killian McDermott, Damien O’Brien, Dylan Mulligan, Sean Dilger, Trevor Fallon, Aiden Kennedy. Subs Caitlin O’Donoghue, Daryl Gaughen, David Christiago, Darren Leahy. Ryan Mulligan, Paudie Kyne, Joe Collins, Pearce Brolly, Sean Cahill, Ronan Hickey, Conal O’Neill.
Tipperary: Keith Robinson, Colin O’Brien, Darragh Hynes, Johnny Burns, Henry Leahy, Darragh Peters, Frankie Kennedy, Tom O’Meara, James Hynes, Tommy Kavanagh, Connor Hammersley, Kevin Bulfin, AJ Willis, Mikey Sheedy, Peter Ryan. Subs Rick Mulroney, Caoilann Conroy, Eoin Maher, Jason Dawn, James McCormack, Mickey Sullivan, Martin Caulfield, Joey Price, James Woods. Referee Chris Dalton.
