This article is from page 66 of the 2011-05-31 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 66 JPG
Corofin 0-13 – Ogonnelloe 0-11 at Dr Daly Park, Tulla
LEAVING TULLA last Saturday evening the respective managers of both Corofin and Ogonnelloe will reflect back on this clash in very contrasting manners.
The north Clare outfit will surely be delighted to have escaped with a 0-13 to 0-11 victory but will still be concerned with their level of performance and how this encounter was made such hard work of.
Retreating to the east of the county, the eventual losers will be absolutely gutted with the result. Despite a mammoth effort at times to stay in contention and even near the end to steal the lead, the fact they had nothing to show for their struggles at Flan O’Reilly’s final whistle must be heart-breaking.
The first half was by no means a spectacle of hurling but the competitiveness and commitment of both sides could not be questioned. After a minute of play John McKenna found the game’s first score. The perfect start was achieved as his free from 40 metres out sailed between the posts. Minutes later and Corofin responded with a point of their own.
Stephen Heagney was first on to a breaking ball and he had no hesitation in punishing the generous Ogonnelloe defence. After ten minutes both sides had doubled their tallies with McKenna and Heagney exchanging scores once again.
Corofin however soon began to dominate proceedings as they exerted their control in most sectors of the pitch. Declan Lee and the excellent Kevin Heagney throughout all found their range to add their names to the scoreboard.
Darragh Shannon’s effort was even better. His first time strike without catching the ball from the middle of the field split the posts to increase their lead to three. This margin however should have been far greater only for some poor accuracy in front of goal shared by all of Corofin’s attack.
This inadequacy allowed Ogonnel- loe to stay in touch and in the final five minutes of the half their fight back materialised to punish Corofin’s short comings. Corner forward Rory Skelly took over placed balls and his efforts from a free and a 65 reduced the margin to a single point. Paul Healy’s incredible side line cut from a huge distance out from Patrick Bourke’s goal sent the teams in level at the interval.
The second half saw the match’s tempo intensify even more. The lead was swapped and shared on several occasions with some terrific scores taken by both sides.
Ogonnelloe’s Kieran Ford pitched in with a superb double while the free taking ability of Gerry Quinn and Heagney continued to ignite the Corofin challenge.
The final minutes of this tie saw the aforementioned Corofin marksmen grab a free each while their efforts was separated only by a Lee belter that completed their treble which sealed the win.
Corofin all but secured their semi- final spot and will now continue on their quest for immediate promotion back to senior status.
For Ogonnelloe though the future is not so bright with their chances for intermediate glory quenched with their second loss in a row.
Corofin
Patrick Bourke, Keith O’Loughlin, Luke O’Loughlin, Darren Malone, MartinTierney, Gerry Quinn (0-2f), Damien Ryan, Darragh Shannon (0-1), Fionn Clancy, Neil Killeen, Declan Lee (0-2), Kevin Heaney (0-2), Stephen Heaney (0-6, 5f), Eamon Malone, Killian Neylon
Subs
Killian Malone for Neylon, Matthew Shannon for E. Malone
Ogonnelloe
Tomas McKenna, John O’Brien, Michael Costelloe, Eoin Sheedy, Pascal Sheedy, Patrick Barton,Thomas Condon, Barry Kiely, Ozer McMahon, Peter English, Henry Mooney, Kieran Forde (0-2), Paul Healy (0-1 s/l), John McKenna (0-2f), Rory Skelly (0-6, 4f, 1’65)
Man of the Match
Stephen Heagney (Corofin) Referee Flan O’Reilly (Cratloe)