Terrific Templederry put Cashel to the sword

GAA: FBD Insurance County Senior Hurling - Seamus O Riain Cup Semi-Final

Templederry Kenyons 4-23

Cashel King Cormacs 1-11

Report: James Hayden at The Ragg

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Sean Ryan (Templederry Kenyons)

SCORERS – Templederry Kenyons: Sean Ryan 1-6; Adrian Ryan 1-5; Gearoid Ryan 1-3; Eanna Murray 0-5 (4 frees, 1 65); Padraig O’Leary 1-2; Odhran Murphy, Matthew Hogan 0-1 each.

Cashel King Cormacs: Devon Ryan 1-3 (1-2 frees); Ger Browne 0-3; Eoghan Connolly 0-2 frees; Nathan Ryan, Aaron Moloney, Ross Bonnar 0-1 each.

A devastating Templederry performance consigned Cashel King Cormacs to a heavy defeat in what proved a one-sided Seamus O Riain Cup semi-final on Sunday.

It proved a Hallowe’en horror show from the West side as they succumbed to a 21-point defeat, while also finishing the tie with thirteen men after both Devon Ryan and Eoghan Connolly were red-carded by referee Sean Everard.

With Killenaule awaiting the winners in the final this tie promised to be a cracking encounter, but in reality, it couldn’t have been further from the truth. By the first water break, the game was effectively done and dusted as a contest after Cormac McGrath’s charges raced into a 2-7 to 0-4 lead.

Man of the match Sean Ryan terrorised Cashel throughout and with Adrian Ryan, Gearoid Ryan, and Padraig O’Leary also in scintillating form as Bryan Darcy’s charges had no answer whatsoever to a dominant Templederry outfit.

Although Ger Browne knifed over two points for Cashel in the opening minutes, Templederry’s response was swift with Matthew Hogan bisecting the uprights before Sean Ryan deftly set up Gearoid Ryan for the first of four Templederry goals.

Further points from Sean Ryan, Adrian Ryan and Gearoid Ryan fired Templederry 1-4 to 0-2 clear with ten minutes elapsed before a 13th minute Padraig O’Leary goal, again ingeniously set-up by the mercurial Sean Ryan, had the West men in all kinds of bother. Sean Ryan added a well-taken point from an impossible angle before Eanna Murray knifed over a well struck free and a 65’ to put the Kenyons well and truly in the driving seat with just sixteen minutes elapsed.

However, it was the sheer dominance of Templederry all over the field which was hugely notable. Cashel appeared totally out of their depth and despite the best efforts of Ger Browne and Eoghan Connolly the West side just couldn’t reach the pitch of the game.

Templederry’s third goal followed quickly after the water-break and again Sean Ryan’s fingerprints were all over it after he gathered Gearoid Ryan’s pinpoint delivery and set up the inrushing Adrian Ryan for a cracking goal.

Adrian Murray and Eanna Murray (free) quickly tagged on points and increased Templederry’s advantage to fifteen points before Devon Ryan bagged 1-1 from placed balls to put a more respectable look on the scoreboard for Cashel as the interval approached.

Eanna Murray (free) and Adrian Ryan hit immediate ripostes before Devon Ryan was red-carded following a 34th minute altercation near the side-line. Sean Ryan added another point for the men in green and white deep in injury time to ensure the Kenyons held a commanding 3-13 to 1-5 at the break.

Realistically there was no way back for Cashel and they emerged for the second half determined to salvage some semblance of pride. Templederry continued in the same ruthless vein though, banging over three points without reply while Tim McCutcheon pulled off one of the finest full-stretch top-corner saves ever witnessed after Ger Browne’s pinpoint accurate shot appeared destined for the top corner of the net.

Browne did add his side’s sixth point in the 34th minute with Ross Bonnar adding another but just as it appeared Cashel were beginning to build a little bit of momentum back came Templederry with points from Gearoid Ryan, Padraig O’Leary, and Sean Ryan.

Templederry's backs were also in fine form also with Thomas Stapleton and Liam McCutcheon marshalling their respective lines well and providing so many platforms for incisive Templederry attacks. By the second water break Templederry were 3-21 to 1-10 clear and with the outcome a foregone conclusion both sides emptied their benches in the final quarter.

Templederry kept the scoreboard ticking and fittingly it was Sean Ryan who netted their fourth goal on the cusp of full-time with a fantastically crafted individual effort.

Cashel were reduced to thirteen-men right at the death also after centre-back Eoghan Connolly received his marching orders for a high challenge, but it mattered not a jot as a sharper, slicker and on point Templederry side registered a wholly deserved victory.

Templederry will undoubtedly face a far stiffer test in the Seamus O Riain Cup final against the South senior champions Killenaule, but they appear to be hitting form right at the perfect time and will be a major handful for the Kenneth Browne managed side in what will be a hugely anticipated decider.

TEAMS – Templederry Kenyons: Tim McCutcheon (8); Christy Coughlan (7), Tom Stapleton (8), Dale Donnelly (7); Darragh Carey (7), Liam McCutcheon (8), Mikey Ryan (7); Odhran Murphy (7), Michael Ryan (7); Gearoid Ryan (8), Adrian Ryan (8), Matthew Hogan (7); Padraig O’Leary (7), Eanna Murray (7), Sean Ryan (8).

Subs: Brian Stapleton (7) for M. Ryan (44); Tom Ryan (7) for O’Leary (49); Colm Murray (6) for Murphy (51); Tadhg McLoughlin (NR) for Donnelly (55); Ross Donnelly (NR) for Coughlan (55).

Cashel King Cormacs: Aaron Browne (6), Ciaran Quinn (6), Simon Delaney (6), Pauric O’Donoghue (6), James Cummins (6), Eoghan Connolly (7), Nathan Ryan (6); Paddy Fahy (6), Ger Browne (7); Conn Bonnar (6), Devon Ryan (6), Ryan O’Dwyer (5), Aaron Moloney (6), Ross Bonnar (6), Cathal Quinn (5).

Subs: Mickey Coleman (5) for O’Dwyer (39); Dylan Fitzell (5) for Quinn (44); Cormac Ryan (NR) for Ciaran Quinn (52); Adrian Cummins (NR) for Fahy (55).

Referee: Sean Everard (Moyne-Templetouhy).