Minor A Championship Round 2.

Match Report.

Sixmilebridge  1-21 Corofin/Ruan  3-18.

Sixmilebridge were away to Corofin/Ruan in Corofin for this Round 2 Minor A clash last Friday evening with the hosts getting off to the perfect start with Shane Punch putting the ball over the bar 20 secs in after winning possession from the throw in. Sean MacNamara had the side’s level within a minute with a lovely point of his own after receiving a nice pass from Jack Corry. For the rest of the first quarter both sides traded points with Kevin Keane, Diarmaid Cahill, and Killian O Connor scoring 4 points all from play for Corofin/Ruan, while Jack Corry kept the ‘Bridge in touch scoring 4 of his own all from frees.

The decisive blow of the half from a ‘Bridge perspective came in the 17th minute when Kevin Keane gained possession on the 21 metre line and forced his way towards goal striking at goal with his shot being blocked down by Alex Frost. He kept at it however and pulled on the ball across the goal away from Shane Whyte in the ‘Bridge goal to roll into the back of the net. Jack Corry pulled two points back again with frees and at this stage the ‘Bridge made some changes.  With the two  ‘Bridge corner forwards having already switched, Cian Gleeson made way for Luke O Halloran with Matthew Hurley moving out to midfield to offer a bigger physical presence with O Halloran moving to wing forward.

The ‘Bridge conceded a second goal 25 minutes in and to be fair they were very unlucky with this one. One of the ‘Bridge defenders rose highest to bring down an incoming high ball but unfortunately for him it landed right in the path of the waiting Shane Punch who blasted to the back of the net to put Corofin/Ruan six points clear and seemingly in control. The ‘Bridge fought on and two more Jack Corry frees gave them a lifeline going in at half time on a score line   Sixmilebridge 0-8  Corofin/Ruan 2-7.

Now with the help of a fairly significant breeze the ‘Bridge got off to a flyer in the first minute when a long Shane Whyte puckout landed into the hand of Luke O Halloran who immediately laid off a hand pass to the in rushing Jack Corry who guided the ball into the right corner leaving two points between the sides. The second period took on the same pattern as the first with Corofin/Ruan scoring from play and Jack Corry keeping the ‘Bridge in touch with pointed frees a lot of them long range from not so easy angles. Corofin/Ruan were awarded a penalty 15 minutes in when Patrick O Halloran was taken down as he ran at goal. Up stepped Robin Mounsey and blasted towards the top right corner but just a few inches too high as it just went over the bar, a big let off for the ‘Bridge and it seemed to spur them on. For the next 5 minutes they took the game to Corofin/Ruan and got stuck in all over the field scoring 4 points all from Jack Corry, 3 frees and one from play after receiving a lovely cross field pass form Sean MacNamara. Now the ‘Bridge were two points up with ten minutes left. But just as the ‘Bridge did at the start of the 4thquarter Corofin/Ruan did in the middle scoring the next 5 points without reply to pull away by three points with 2 minutes of normal time remaining.

Again the ‘Bridge came back levelling the game in the first minute of injury time with 3 unanswered points, the pick of which was  an excellently worked ball by Luke Keogh and Luke O Halloran with O Halloran slotting over.  With the game well into injury time and Corofin/Ruan in possession around the ‘Bridge goal Shane punch took a shot at goal only to be hooked by Scot Kirkland as the ‘Bridge desperately tried to clear their line. The ball broke free and  kevin Keane was quickest to react getting the sliotar  into his hand turning away from the sea of ‘Bridge hurleys striking high over his shoulder into the roof of the net to win the match for Corofin/Ruan.

A gripping game of hurling, the result of which was in doubt right up to the end. A credit to both teams who showed great fight and never gave up at any stage.

For Corofin/Ruan, Diarmaid Cahill, Kevin Keane, Shane Punch, and Killian O Connor were outstanding. Their two Corner backs Cillian McGroary and Mark O Loughlin should also be mentioned as they stifled several Sixmilebridgeattacks.

For Sixmilebridge, Leon Kelly, Matthew Hurley, and Luke Keogh were solid throughout but it was Jack Corry who played a man of the match performance giving an exhibition of free taking a lot of them from quite difficult angles. On top of that he scored 1-2 from play.  

Sixmilebridge: Shane Whyte,  Ferdia Ó Lionáin, Alex Frost, Scott Kirkland, Storm Devanney, Leon Kelly, Evan Murphy, Luke Keogh 0-1, Cian Gleeson, Dylan Downes, Colin Kelly, Matthew Hurley, Conor Flynn, Jack Corry  1-18 (0-16F), Sean MacNamara  0-1, Luke O Halloran 0-1,

Corofin/Ruan: Cian O Donoghue, Cillian McGroary, Gearoid Hanrahan, Mark O Loughlin, Jack Lyons, Robin Mounsey 0-3 (0-1P) 0-2F), Eoin Fitzgerald, Patrick O Halloran 0-1, Diarmaid Cahill 0-2, Kevin Keane 2-3, Killian O Connor 0-3, Shane O Brien 0-2, Shane Punch 1-3 (0-1F), Ryan Power, Jack McDonagh 0-1.

Referee:  Niall Malone.