East Cork GAA

Martin O'Brien Match Report

Goals at vital stages saw Shandrum take the inaugural Ulster Bank Co Premier 2 Minor Hurling Championship Title when in the final which was played in Pairc Ui Rinn on Saturday afternoon last they outscored a gallant Fr O’Neills side.

Although playing against the wind in the opening half Shandrum were first to get on the scoreboard with a pointed free from Jerry Lane in the 6^th minute. They doubled their advantage two minutes later courtesy of a fine point from play from Mark Lenihan before Fr O’Neills had the sides level with well taken points from Noel O’Driscoll and William Joyce by the 10^th minute. Shandrum then served notice of their intentions when Jamie Coughlan sent over a point to be followed by a stunning goal from a 20 metre free from the same player to lead 1-03 to 0-02 with the end of the opening quarter approaching. A point from Liam O’Driscoll reduced the deficit for Fr O’Neills but Shandrum led by the promptings of Tadhg Buckley, Billy Naughton, Eoin Doyle, Kevin O’Connor, Jamie Coughlan, Ciaran Morrissey and Jerry Lane again struck. A point from Patrick Hassett after some fine work from Coughlan maintained their advantage and they increased their margin when Lane found Morrissey who finished the ball to the net to lead 2-04 to 0-03 with 19 minutes gone on the clock. After an exchange of points between Mark Hayes and Coughlan Fr O’Neills came more into contention with a hat-trick of points from placed balls by William Joyce but after Kevin O’Connor and Hayes traded points it was the “Avondhu” side who went in at the break in a happier mood leading 2-06 to 0-08 in the knowledge of having the wind to their backs for the second half.

On the resumption a well executed point from Robert Cullinane gave Fr O’Neills some hope but their opponents were not to be outdone and hit back straight from the puck out with a long range point from O’Connor. Shandrum’s goal-scoring ability again came to the fore in the 35^th minute when Lane soloed through and with a powerful drive he found the net giving Donough O’Flynn in the Fr O’Neills goal no chance which gave them a 3-07 to 0-09 advantage. Fr O’Neills were now facing an uphill battle but with John Barry, John Bailey, Liam O’Driscoll, Mark Hayes, Noel O’Driscoll, William Joyce and Robert Cullinane rising to the challenge they hit back with a cracking goal from Hayes. This score gave them confidence and with Joyce slotting over a brace of points from placed balls they were back in contention 1-11 to 3-07 by the 44^th minute. A point from Kevin O’Connor eased Shandrum’s situation but their opponents were now fighting for every ball and were rewarded when Cullinane gathered a long delivery from Joyce but unfortunately for him his rasping shot for goal was brilliantly saved Shane Sheerin at the expense of a point. As only two points now divided the sides Fr O’Neills maintained their momentum and in the 52^nd minute took the lead for the first time when sub Kenneth Hegarty finished the ball to the net 2-12 to 3-08. Shandrum were now on the back-foot but after Coughlan and Joyce exchanged points they regained their composure when Coughlan sat up Ciaran Morrissey for a great goal which was followed by a point from Lenihan with the game well into its final phase. Although Joyce reduced the deficit with a pointed free there was to be no stopping Shandrum and they confirmed their authority when Coughlan got through for their fifth goal to be followed by a point from his namesake to run out winners on the final scoreline of 5-11 to 2-14.

After the game the cup was presented to the winning captain, David O’Connor, by Diarmuid O’Donovan, Chairman of the Cork Co Minor Board.

Scorers: Shandrum Jamie Coughlan 2-03 (1-00 free); Ciaran Morrissey

2-00; Jerry Lane 1-01 (0-01 free); Kevin O’Connor

0-03; Mark Lenihan 0-02; Patrick Hassett 0-01. Jamie

Coughlan 0-01.

Fr O’Neills William Joyce 0-08 (0-07 frees); Mark Hayes 1-02;

Kenneth Hegarty 1-00; Robert Cullinane 0-02; Liam

O’Driscoll 0-01 (free); Noel O’Driscoll 0-01.

Teams: Shandrum Shane Sheerin; Paudie Lane, Tadhg Buckley, Stephen

Young; Billy Naughton, Eoin Doyle, Padraig Noonan;

Kevin O’Connor, Jamie Coughlan; Jamie Coughlan, David

O’Connor (Capt), Patrick Hassett; Ciaran Morrissey, Jerry

Lane, Mark Lenihan.

Fr O’Neills Donough O’Flynn; Conor Broderick, John Barry, Irwin

Lane; John Bailey, Barry Hayes, Tony Motherway; Liam

O’Driscoll, Mark Hayes; T.J. Kenneally, Gavin Foley, Noel

O’Driscoll (Capt.); Fergal Duffy, William Joyce, Robert

Cullinane.

Subs: Kenneth Hegarty for T.J. Kenneally

Darren McCarthy for Irwin Lane

Referee: Anthony Cummins (Ballymartle)