Determined Eire Og rally past Lorrha

GAA: FBD Insurance Tipperary Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship Quarter Final

Eire Og Annacarty/Donohill 1-27

Lorrha 3-19

Report: Liam Hogan at Fr Kenyon Park, Templederry

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Aidan Griffin (Eire Og Annacarty/Donohill)

SCORERS - Eire Og Annacarty/Donohill: Aidan Griffin 0-15 (12 frees, 1 pen); Kevin Fox 1-1; Paudie Bradshaw, Dinny Crosse 0-4 each; Conor O’Brien, Donel O’Dwyer, Connie Bradshaw 0-1 each.

Lorrha: Colm Fogarty 0-12 (10 frees); Brian Hogan 1-2 frees; Niall McIntyre 1-1; Conor Kennedy 1-0; Christopher Fogarty 0-2; Eoin McIntyre, Liam Donoghue 0-1 each.

Two points in added time saw Eire Og Annacarty/Donohill get over Lorrha in a dramatic a contest as one would wish to see in this County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship quarter final on Sunday.

Having trailed for the most of the contest, it was a goal by Kevin Fox that gave Eire Og the lead for the first time as the game reach the hour mark. Lorrha, a man down since the dismissal of James Guinan in the 54th minute, came back level with a Colm Fogarty free but Annacarty were on the rise and two points, including one from a penalty by man of the match Aidan Griffin sealed their place in the semi-finals.

One wonders what might have happened had Lorrha finished with fifteen men. The extra man told as Eire Og appeared to have been energised by the outcome. Scores became easier to create in a game dominated by the excellent marksmanship of Eire Og’s Aidan Griffin and Colm Fogarty of Lorrha.

Griffin finished with fifteen points, including two from play, and was a deserved man of the match with Paudie Bradshaw and Dinny Crosse not far behind while Conor O’Brien and especially Dan Kelly caught the eye in front of a hard working full back line.

For Lorrha, Colm Fogarty made no mistake with his twelve points, including ten from frees while Ciaran Haugh, Killian Fitzgerald, Michael Dolan, Niall McIntyre, Conor Kennedy and sub Liam Donoghue never gave up.

It was a very entertaining contest from start to finish. There was a frantic start as Conor Kennedy had the ball in the Annacarty net inside fourteen seconds. By the second minute, Brian Hogan had added a long range free before Annacarty replied with three frees by Aidan Griffin.

The teams had barely settled before Niall McIntyre was cutting strides towards the Annacarty goal before blasting past Darragh Mooney and he added a point as Lorrha led by five after seven minutes.

The rest of the half was mainly a battle royale between Griffin and Fogarty from placed balls with Griffin scoring seven frees as against four for Fogarty with the Lorrha marksman scoring his first from play after eleven minutes.

Apart from Griffin, Eire Og could rely on Dinny Crosse and Kevin Fox to score from play but Lorrha would have the lead out to five after Christopher Fogarty split the posts in the 17th minute.

After Paudie Bradshaw reduced the margin, Lorrha went four in front once more when Donnacha O’Meara scored from the wing. From there to the break, it was Griffin and Fogarty taking turns before Paudie Bradshaw had his second leaving it Lorrha 2-8 Annacarty 0-12.

The resumption saw both Griffin and Fogarty trading frees before Lorrha went three in front after Christopher Fogarty scored his second point. The ever present Paudie Bradshaw was a shining example of a midfielder taking every chance and he scored his third in the 34th minute.

Colm Fogarty replied with a free before the evergreen Conor O’Brien hit back from play but another Fogarty free followed before Griffin (free) and Donal O’Dwyer from play had the margin at the minimum on forty minutes.

Seconds later, Eoin McIntyre had open ground in front of him and with only Darragh Mooney to beat, his batted shot was excellent saved by the outstretched leg of the former Tipp keeper.

Inspired by the drama the excitement levels increased as Griffin replied with an equalising point from play. Two Fogarty frees had Lorrha in front again as Connie Bradshaw hit back before sub Liam Donoghue made use of a Patrick Maher assist to make it 2-15 to 0-19 with eleven minutes remaining.

There was more drama to come. Lorrha won a free around fifty metres from the goal when Brian Hogan’s long drive landed in the small square and the bounce deceived Mooney into the net. Lorrha were five in front and victory must have entered the minds of their supporters.

However, Lorrha’s one ailment was the concession of needless frees and with Aidan Griffin continuing his accuracy and true to fashion he hit back to back in the 51st & 52nd minutes before more Annacarty pressure saw Dinny Crosse score his third a minute later.

Then came, James Guinan’s dismissal, which was harsh because his attempt to hook Griffin made contact to the head was accidental and minimal. However, they are the rules and the offence resulted in a second yellow card for the Lorrha man as Griffin converted the resulting free.

Lorrha replied with three points through Eoin McIntyre, Colm Fogarty and a long range free by Brian Hogan. But the extra man was a factor and Annacarty excelled with wonderful scores through Paudie Bradshaw and Dinny Crosse before Kevin Fox goaled in the in the 60th minute when Tom Fox (who switched from centre back to the attack) with Griffin involved in the build-up.

Annacarty were in the lead for the first time but Colm Fogarty levelled with a free two minutes later but the West champions saw their chance to conquer as Aidan Griffin secured the win with two late points, the first from a penalty after Darragh Kelly was fouled.

It was a well-received victory for Eire Og Annacarty/Donohill verified by the their spectators huddled in the middle of the field after the long whistle.

TEAMS - Eire Og Annacarty/Donohill: Daragh Mooney (7); Mixie Bradshaw (7), David Fox (7), Paul Devlin (7); Conor O’Brien (7), Tom Fox (7), Dan Kelly (7), Connie Bradshaw (7), Paudie Bradshaw (8); Aidan Griffin (8), Donal O’Dwyer (6), Dinny Crosse (Capt 7); Brian Fox (6), Kevin Fox (6), Darragh Kelly (6).

Subs: Darragh O’Brien (6) for D Fox (26 inj); Seanie Ryan (6) for O’Dwyer (50); Liam Og O’Dwyer (NR) for Darragh Kelly (60+4 inj)

Lorrha: Brian Hogan (7); Tom Duggan (7). Ciaran Haugh (7), Killian Fitzgerald (7); Denis O’Meara (6), Michael Dolan (7), James Guinan (7); David Sullivan (6), Niall McIntyre (7); Colm Fogarty (Capt 7), Christopher Fogarty (7), Conor Kennedy (7); Cian Hogan (6), Eoin McIntyre (6), Donnacha O’Meara (6).

Subs: Patrick Maher (6) for C Hogan (HT); Liam Donoghue (7) for Sullivan (41); Darragh Guinan (6) for Donnacha O’Meara (47).

Referee: Shane O’Neill (St Mary’s).