This article is from page 76 of the 2011-09-13 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 76 JPG
Smith O’Brien’s 1-13 – St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield 2-09 at Shannon
IT’S REMARKABLY how much a team can be transformed when their lives on the line. Smith O’Brien’s were almost the forgotten side as the focus of the pre-match talk was predominantly on St Joseph’s who required the points and also needed Killanena to do them a favour by beating quarter-final rivals Broadford in the adjacent group tie.
However, the Killaloe based side needed the points just as much as their opponents to avoid relegation and that superior hunger and determination eventually saw them snatch all the points in a dramatic finale.
You could sense from the outset that Doora/Barefield were all but resigned to the fact that they would miss out on a quarter-final place for the second successive year. Indeed, the writing was on the wall from the early stages as St Joseph’s failed to lift their heads above mediocrity aside from impressive county minor Jarlath Colleran who was a constant threat and Ivor Whyte’s accuracy from placed balls, one of which flew into the net from 40 metres midway through the half.
Smith O’Brien’s meanwhile were intent on taking a scalp even without the presence of Pat Vaughan and while they left it late to seal the victory, there were constant indications throughout that they had sufficient prowess to get something out of the game.
They attacked from the outset but luck didn’t appear to be on their side even as early as the opening minute when a Mark Stritch free from his own ’65 was scrambled onto the post and cleared. Through Micheál Ryan, their most impressive performer of 2011, they did finally settle to open up a 0-3 to 0-1 advantage by the 13th minute before being hit by a frustrating sucker-punch.
Inevitably it was Ivor Whyte that dealt the blow as his sideline cut from 40 metres was allowed to nestle in the far corner of Jonathan Hayes’ net, a goal that would be the differ- ence for the remainder of the half. Between two points from the lively Colleran, Smith O’Brien’s got their challenge back on track with three successive points from John Cusack and Liam ‘Goose’ Walsh to cut the deificit to the minimum by the break at 1-4 to 0-6.
The second period was a seesaw affair with Smith O’Brien’s taking control early on after points from Kevin Walsh and Cusack before Doora/ Barefield replied in kind through a brace of Whyte frees. Liam Walsh had a 20 metre free stopped by Marty O’Regan in the 39th minute but he would make amends only three minutes later when Anthony Sullivan put him in for a goal from close range.
St Joseph’s response was almost immediate as an Ivor Whyte free was followed by a superb opportunistic goal from substitute Enda Lyons who outpaced the defence to find the net and take back the lead once more at 2-8 to 1-9.
However, despite holding the advantage, St Joseph’s lack of options up front meant that Smith O’Brien’s were never far from their opponents, with Seamus Gleeson sweeping up everything at the back. In one final push, Liam Walsh cut the deficit to the minimum in the 58th minute while a good move involving Mark Stritch, Kevin Walsh and replacement Willie Neary allowed Anthony Sullivan to pick off the equaliser in the 61st minute.
Tensions were heightened as both teams scrambled for the winner but after a throw-in on St Joseph’s 20 metre line, Smith O’Brien’s substitute Shane O’Brien gathered possession and offloaded for the onrushing Mark O’Halloran to improvise off the hurley and give his side the win and more importantly safety at senior level.
And as things worked out, Smith O’Brien’s also bypassed their opponents in the final group standings. One just wonders why they could have shown such determination earlier in the competition when the group was in the melting pot.
Smith O’Brien’s
Jonathan Hayes (6), Michael Culhane (6),Trevor Howard (7), Cian Nolan (7), Seamus Gleeson (8), Mark Stritch (7), Brian McInerney (7), Mark O’Halloran (8) (0-1), KevinWalsh (7) (0-1), Mark McInerney (6), Micheál Ryan (8) (0-5 3f), John Cusack (7) (0-3), Eoin Ryan (6), LiamWalsh (8) (1-2),Anthony Sullivan (7) (0-1)
Subs
Aiden McKeogh (6) for Culhane (28 mins), Shane O’Brien (6) for E. Ryan (33 mins),Willie Neary (6) for M. McInerney (41 mins)
St Joseph’s Doora/ Barefield
Paul Madden (7), Cathal O’Sullivan (7), Marty O’Regan (7), Sean Flynn (8), Damien Kennedy (6), Alan O’Neill (7), Darragh O’Driscoll (7), Kevin Dilleen (7), Mark Hallinan (6), Emmet Whelan (6), Noel Brodie (6), Ivor Whyte (7) (1-7 1-0 lineball, 6f), Niall DeLoughery (6), Ken Kennedy (6), Jarlath Colleran (8) (0-2)
Subs
Enda Lyons (8) (1-0) for Brodie (30 mins), Eamon Clohessy for K. Kennedy (51 mins, inj), Gary Hassett for Colleran (60 mins, inj)
Man of the Match
Seamus Gleeson (Smith O’Brien’s) Referee Seanie McMahon (Newmarket-on-Fergus)