Port edged out on red-blooded affair

GAA: FBD Insurance County Senior Hurling – Seamus O Riain Cup Group 4

Cashel King Cormacs 1-23

Portroe 1-19

Report: Michael Dundon at The Ragg

Portroe’s O Riain Cup aspirations suffered a serious setback with this four-point defeat by Cashel King Cormacs in the opening round of group 4 on Sunday.

In what was always a tightly contested affair, Portroe finished with thirteen men and Cashel with fourteen, a factor which had a bearing on the outcome. Port lost Justin Conroy to a second yellow card approaching the second water break when they were leading 1-14 to 0-16. Eight minutes into the last quarter Cashel had Conn Bonnar dismissed but three minutes later Robert Byrne joined his Portroe team-mate on the sideline when he was red carded.

In effect it meant that Portroe were a man short for over twelve minutes, a significant disadvantage at a crucial stage in a contest so finely balanced, and one which ultimately tipped the scales in favour of the West side.

Cashel have been boosted by the acquisition of Knockavilla quads Aaron Browne, Nathan Ryan, Devon Ryan and Ger Browne, and by the return to the club colours of former Tipperary and Dublin attacker Ryan O’Dwyer. Like Portroe, they are optimistic about their prospects in this competition and while both could yet emerge from this competitive group which also features St Mary’s and Lorrha, the defeat leaves Portroe with no room for error from here out.

Ruadhan Mulrooney gave Portroe a great start with a goal after three minutes and it helped them to a water break lead of 1-5 to 0-6.

It was very evident from this early stage that there was little between the teams in terms of quality and commitment. Nothing changed in the second quarter with Portroe still a point ahead at the break, 1-8 to 0-10.

Ruadhan Mulrooney, Kevin O’Halloran, the accurate John Sheedy and county defender Robert Byrne were leading the way for the North side while Cashel relied heavily on Devon Ryan’s free-taking and the excellent work of James Cummins, Conor O’Dwyer, and Ger Browne. County panellist Eoin Connolly was operating in attack but hampered by a heavily strapped hand following a West final injury.

The pattern did not change in the third quarter and the water break arrived with the sides level 1-14 to 0-17.

However Portroe were now without dismissed Justin Conroy. After 53 minutes, John Sheedy pointed a free for Portroe to level, 1-17 to 0-20, following the incident which saw Conn Bonnar of Cashel sent off.

The crucial score came a minute later when Eoin Connolly rifled home a Cashel goal which was followed almost immediately by the dismissal of Robert Byrne of Portroe.

Three points and a man short with time running out, the odds were stacked against Portroe. John Sheedy pointed a free, but Devon Ryan nullified it for Cashel. Sheedy again raised a white flag but with the game going into injury time Ryan O’Dwyer kept Cashel three clear and immediately afterwards Devon Ryan sealed their win with yet another pointed free.

Portroe were deeply disappointed at the loss but the challenge now for them is to respond in a positive fashion in their crucial next outing against Lorrha. A battle may have been lost but the war is there yet to be won if they are good enough. Sunday’s failure should motivate them to an even better effort next time out. They could not be faulted for commitment with Michael Creamer, Michael Breen, David Lumbroso, Conor O’Brien, Kevin O’Halloran, Ruadhan Mulrooney and the accurate John Sheedy all doing well.

Cashel will appreciate the importance of an opening win and will hope to build on this as they face St Mary’s in the next round. They have a lot of talent in their side and will be hoping to have Eoin Connolly fully fit next time out. James Cummins, Conor O’Dwyer, Aaron Moloney, Ger Browne and Ciaran Quinn were their top performers.

Player of the Match: Kevin O’Halloran (Portroe)

Cashel King Cormacs: Aaron Browne (6); Ciaran Quinn (6), Nathan Ryan (6), Pauric O’Donoghue (7); James Cummins (7), Lee Bourke (6), Conor O’Dwyer (0-1, 7); Conn Bonnar (0-1, 6), Devon Ryan (0-10, 9f) 7); Ross Bonnar (0-1, 6), Ryan O’Dwyer (0-3, 6), Cathal Quinn (6); Aaron Moloney (0-3, 7), Eoin Connolly (1-1, 6), Ger Browne (0-3, 6).

Subs: Paddy Fahey (6) for C Quinn (HT); Mikey Coleman (6) for Moloney (53).

Portroe: Diarmuid Boyle (6); Jack Moloney (6), Michael Breen (7), Justin Conroy (6); Michael Creamer (0-1, 7), Robert Byrne (0-1, 7), Brian Keating (6); David Lumbroso (7), Conor O’Brien (6); Ian O’Donnell (6), John Sheedy (0-10, 9f) 7), AJ Willis (0-2, 6); Ruadhan Mulrooney (1-1, 7), Kevin O’Halloran (0-4, 7), Anthony Bourke (6).

Subs: Mark Gennery (6) for O Donnell (40); Paddy O’Flaherty (6) for Bourke (43).

Referee: John Lillis (Drom & Inch).