28/02/04 U-18 Hurlers find it
'offaly' hard against Coolderry
Naomh Eoin, Antrim - U-18's 1:09
Cul Doire, Offaly - U-18's 3:13
St. Johns played hosts to Offaly's Coolderry on Saturday
past in an entertaining minor Hurling challenge in an
excellent Corrigan Park. Coolderry sporting several
Offaly minors certainly provided quality opposition
for the Johnnies in their first outing at this level
this year.
R. O Murrai opened the midlanders account with a pointed
free after D. MacMastu was fouled some 20m out.
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He followed this two minutes later with a good
strike from 40m from the right to further increase
his sides lead.
Colm McFall opened his, and St. Johns, scoring
total with a superb 65m strike from the right
line before his brother Barry McFall pointed sharpley
on ten minutes from 35m from the left.
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Coolderry Under-18 Hurlers |
St.Johns then gave away some silly frees (0:02) which
O'Murrai duely converted.
O Murrai, again for the Offaly men, picked up a loose
ball around the middle of the park and again pointed
superbly from 70m to put his side back in the lead.
Shortly afterwards D.O'Murrai flicked the ball neatly
over the St.Johns full-back line for S.O McLachlain
to blast to the Johnnies net. O Murrai further increased
Coolderry's lead with another 35m free before K O Lorcain
nipped in to score his first score of the day.
St. John's Under-18 Hurlers |
Colm McFall replied with an outstanding 80m strike
from the left wing before Kevin Kennedy ensured
a Johnnies revival with a bundled goal on 25 minutes.
Barry McFall managed to pull another incisive
point back for St.Johns to leave them trailing
by 3 points at the short whistle. 1:07 to 1:04.
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Upon resumption Coolderry further increased their lead
with a flurry of scores particulary from D. MacMastu
who scored 1:02 from play during a ten minute purple
patch. The reliable Ray O Murrai picked off another
50m point to put the Offaly men in a commanding position
after twelve minutes gone in the second half. St. Johns
seemed to purr into life at this stage and actually
dominated the next ten minutes of play and picked off
points from Barry McFall from 40m on the left, Liam
Boyle 25m, Kevin Kennedy 20m and a wonderful 70m strike
from half back Conal Maskey.
Midfielders prepare for the throw-inBut this revival was not sustained for the remainder
of the half where Coolderry managed to pick off several
significant scores from Ray O Murrai (0:02) and an opportunist
goal from K O Lorcain. Conal Maskey replied again with
an excellent 70m strike before the mercurial Ray O Murrai
picked off yet another point for the final score of
the game.
Coolderry certainly impressed with their skillful first
touch play which was enjoyable to watch. Their centre
half back C. Ni Parluin played an outstandingly dominant
game and was my man of the match. He was well supported
in defence by N. O Dulai and D. O Teacain. Midfielder
S. O Halla made good work of supplying his forwards.
Ray O Murrai had an excellent game up front and was
accompanied by the mobile sharp pair of K.O Lorcain
and D.MacMastu.
For St Johns their defence battled hard against a skilful
forward line in all areas with Colm McFall, Ciaran McCurdy,
Liam Knocker and Conal Maskey showing up well in flashes.
Up front Barry McFall picked off his normal brace of
points and John Meade , Simon McCrory and Liam Boyle
battled hard enough.
SC
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