SHC Final

[bracknaghboy]

Odds on the final - anyone have them? i backed clara last week and got burned need a chance to get me money back

Think its 2/5 Coolderry and 9/4 Tullamore

[Plain of the Herbs]

Coolderry and Tullamore have met 8 times in Senior championship hurling since Tullamore returned to top-flight hurling following their 1990 Senior ‘B’ title win over . . . Coolderry, when the blues (then wearing blue) won 2-11 to 3-6. It’s hard to know when Tullamore last beat Coolderry at Senior level – possibly the 1964 semi-final?
Coolderry have won all 8, all of which have been in the group stages, with the 3 point winning margin in this year’s opening round being the nearest the blues-in-white have come to beating Coolderry. Details of those matches are as follows:-

1991 Coolderry beat Tullamore (group round 3 – I don’t have the score)
1995 Coolderry 5-15 Tullamore 2-6 (group round 4)
1998 Coolderry 2-14 Tullamore 1-9 (round 4)
2000 Coolderry 2-10 Tullamore 2-6 (round 3)
2001 Coolderry 2-12 Tullamore 1-4 (round 1)
2007 Coolderry 1-13 Tullamore 0-8 (round 1)
2009 Coolderry 1-17 Tullamore 1-6 (round 5)
2010 Coolderry 1-15 Tullamore 1-10 (round 1)

[ditchhurler]

The objection has been thrown out and James Keane has his ban overturned.. Roll on Sunday, C'mon the blues!

[concrete]

coolderry still win

[Lone Shark]

I wouldn't underestimate the significance of that. Keane is a very important part of Tullamore's strategy and will be crucial in terms of winning puckouts and competing for scrappy ball. I'd say the pieces are starting to come together for Tullamore to be honest.

[allstar2010]

The objection has been thrown out and James Keane has his ban overturned.. Roll on Sunday, C'mon the blues!

No surprises with the county boards decision...... May the best team win on Sunday...

[Aweflee]

The objection has been thrown out and James Keane has his ban overturned.. Roll on Sunday, C'mon the blues!

I wonder what Tullamore supporters on here think about their club appealing Keane's straight red? Should they not have "taken it on the chin" as a lot of people seem to think K/K should've done in relation the incorrect sending off/inadequate amount of injury time played?

And by the way I don't think Keane deserved to be sent off at all. From what I saw a yellow card would've sufficed for himself and Joey Dunican. They were only sent off because of the row that started after, which is wrong in itself. It's right that he'll play in the final.

[townman]

The objection has been thrown out and James Keane has his ban overturned.. Roll on Sunday, C'mon the blues!

I wonder what Tullamore supporters on here think about their club appealing Keane's straight red? Should they not have "taken it on the chin" as a lot of people seem to think K/K should've done in relation the incorrect sending off/inadequate amount of injury time played?

And by the way I don't think Keane deserved to be sent off at all. From what I saw a yellow card would've sufficed for himself and Joey Dunican. They were only sent off because of the row that started after, which is wrong in itself. It's right that he'll play in the final.

Well i say the same thing would have happen with joey Dunican if K/K had to win the semil he would have been cleared to play in the final as would Ciaran Slevin
be able to play in the final with just getting the two yellows. there is a difference between getting a players red card appeal to play in a final than appealing
to a game that you lost and get a replay because the ref didn't play 3 minutes over time or because a player got two yellow cards and was off if K/K had to win
there wouldn't be a word about it at all lets all move on now.

[jimbob17]

wasnt at the semi but by all accounts, james keane was harshly sent off and the appeal went to the county board. the appeal apparently was based on video evidence of what actally happened regrding keane and dunican, not on any heresay. therefore the county board had no option but to disregard the refs decision to send the two lads off and reinstate keane for the final. i know also that at least one member of the KK management team has stated that Keane should not have been sent off so there is no argument whatsoever with his reinstatement. the same would have happened for kk had they won the game but they didnt so they started trying to find another avenue which doesnt really reflect well on them as they are a good hurling club with plenty of good hurlers. in my opinion, they have the hurlers to win a championship but the fact that so many of them live in the village where the obsession of the fans and all the back slaps give them an inflated ego of themselves and think they are better than they are, and dont work hard enough when the big day comes. as for tull, they have an exceptional set of aggressive backs that work really well as a unit and get the absolute max from themselves and are well marshalled by damien fox in goal. Coolderry no doubt have better hurlers but they have bottled it so many times in the last few years they are probably unsure of themselves and wont really know how tullamore will play on the day. they will think that if they play to their potential they will win, but will they be let?? tullamore are a championship team with proven credentials and despite what people say they have much more than shane dooley to help them thro the game. they fear nobody, have beaten Birr in significant championship games the last 3 years, KK the last 2 years, banagher last year, the so called elite of offaly hurling so they have nothing to fear. they got closer to Ballyhale last year than most teams in the country and gave away one pisser of a goal and missed two clear goal chances in the last ten mins. they never got credit for this either. they were worthy champions last year and are back in the final this year not by chance. the only team they have yet to beat are coolderry and i feel if they can play with the same intensity and passion while holding their nerve they will have nothin to fear. there was little between the teams early on in the year and there wont be much on sunday but i certainly feel the bookies are way off on their prices and should have learned their lesson last year.

[Laoisman]

Great boost for Tullamorec - James Keane exonerated and clared to play by CB following review of video.

[tacmot]

YES i didnt tink anyting else would have come from the county board as regards the james keane objection. Typical taking the east way out. Why dont the look at the video evidence and see Keane and Dunican wrestling one another to the ground, id call that fighting in any sense. Also they might see the 3/4 of Tullamore subs run across OCP and join into the row. No suspensions there. Easy to close our eyes when we need/want to.

[Plain of the Herbs]

Well if the two lads were reported for striking and the video proves conclusively that neither struck, then the appeal had to be upheld.

I wonder if Kilcormac had the cop-on to appeal Dunican's suspension? While a month now won't make much difference he also has to serve a one-match suspension, and will have to sit out the first round next year.

[jimbob17]

YES i didnt tink anyting else would have come from the county board as regards the james keane objection. Typical taking the east way out. Why dont the look at the video evidence and see Keane and Dunican wrestling one another to the ground, id callthat fighting in any senset. Also hey might see the 3/4 of Tullamore subs run across OCP and join into the row. No suspensions tothere. Easy close our eyes when we need/want to.


come on, this sounds like a lazy response from a bitter KK man/woman. Yes they were on the ground clearly, holding each other, call it wrestling if you wish, but there was absolutely no striking. this happens all the time in games and players get a yellow card at the most. the county board had clear evidence for making a decision based on the video evidence and have acted according to the rules. it would have been totally unfair if they made up their own rules and suspended a lad from playeing in a co final when the suspension is not warranted. does the player not have the right to fair play, the same way that video evidence is used to catch players who pull dirty strokes, this video evidence has exonerated Keane and rightly so. besides some of the KK management were also admitting of the fact that keane should not have been sent off. you seem tacmot to want to sespend keane for no apparent reason which sounds ridiculous. as for the subs, that is a totally different issue, it should never happen. Shaun martin went in trying to separate them and never threw any punch and this shouldnt have happened either, but he did it in the best interest of what he saw at the time. However dont come across bitter and anti tullamore as this has to be impartial and justice has been served on this issue. as for favouritism from co board, kevin martin is still suspended for wrestling a lad to the ground after the full back broke his hurley off him in an off the ball incident. a tullamore mentor was also suspended at the time for entering while a Brosna Gaels mentor came in with fists flying with no suspension. we will say nothing about the KK idiot who came out of the stand to have a go!!! Let them down big time. as for KK putting in an objection, it looked like sour grapes, and no, im not from tullamore.

[Plain of the Herbs]

If Tullamore win this they will look back at the night James Keane’s suspension was lifted as the night they believed they would win it.

Imagine the boost. The uncertainty of who would fill in – would there be a straight swop or a whole raft of changes – in what, for Tullamore is a crucial position. The mood when next they gather in O’Brien Park will have a different air about it.

It’s no coincidence that Tullamore’s fortunes changed this year with the restoration of the Kelly / Keane midfield partnership. In fact, they’ve built their whole attack around it. Keane on the right, Kelly on the left, both hug the tramlines leaving acres of room for Dooley to cover ground behind midfield from the centre-forward position. The only mystery is why they started Dooley at corner-forward against Birr and Kilcormac – and kept him there for so long in each match.

For what it’s worth now, my own opinion was that Shane Dooley himself was Tullamore’s best candidate for midfield. Dooley could still move around as he ordinarily would from the right side of midfield, moving infield onto his left side and still be in scoring range, which for him is still a fair distance.

It would also force Martin Corcoran to make a decision – follow him or leave him go. Coolderry prefer keeping the eldest Corcoran in a deep role on the left of midfield, seemingly to protect David King. He’ll directly oppose James Keane now anyway and that choice will still have to be made by Coolderry. Kelly and Keane should have the edge over Corcoran and Kevin Teehan.

On Sunday the opening minutes will be absolutely crucial. In recent weeks Coolderry have unmercifully blitzed their opponents in the opening minutes. They don’t hang around for the settling-in period. And why should they? This generation of green and white have waited long enough to add a second County title.

On the other hand Tullamore are notoriously bad starters and could have been put away by both Birr and Kilcormac had either brought their shooting sticks. Birr had chances to tag on a succession of points while Kilcormac created goal chances which Messrs. Ryan, Parlon, Connolly and friends will certainly put away should they arise. Noticeable too was how the Tullamore full-back line was opened up in those early stages.

Expect Coolderry to take the wind should they win the toss. Tullamore’s preference would be to let the opposition take the wind in the first half, soak up the pressure and strike, wind assisted in the final quarter. I wonder would they take that chance should Jody Duffy call Brian Gavin’s 20c correctly.

The match will be decided on puckouts. Coolderry’s half-back line gobbled up opponents puckout after puckout against Shinrone and Kinnitty, their dominance providing the platform for success. If Coolderry are scoring readily (or even hitting wides) they should be well capable of staying on the front foot. Shnrone

Thing is that Damien Fox’s puckout is not particularly lengthy, particularly into the wind. That may actually be to Tullamore’s advantage as it suits them having Fox’s deliveries landing on midfield, where Kelly and Keane (and probably Dooley) will be the recipients. James Dempsey pucked out almost 40 times in the semi-final compared to Stephen Corcoran’s 15 restarts and so Coolderry’s dominance continued. Coolderry moving Kevin Brady to midfield in a switch with Kevin Teehan might be no bad thing.

Thing is Coolderry have struggled under their own puckout, where a half-forward combination of Brian Carroll, Barry Teehan and Damien Murray aren’t geared to dealing with the dropping ball. Indeed, of these, Carroll is probably the best equipped to compete for the dropping ball, and it’s not a source of possession they depend on. Corcoran hardly pucked out at all in the semi-final, but he had to puck out quite a number of times in the second half against Shinrone – when the two Morkans won ball after ball.

Shinrone didn’t carry the belief needed to beat Coolderry and they were never going to overcome that early deficit. Force Coolderry to puck out repeatedly and Coolderry are lost.

Some personal duels to keep an eye on as a barometer – Trevor Corcoran and Francie Kerrigan will wire into each other and it may well be advantage Coolderry here. Joe Brady will be faced with Shane Dooley for much of the second half. Coolderry can’t afford to let Dooley travel around the middle unaccompanied. Neither can they let Joe Brady abandon the centre of defence. Might be Barry Teehan, with his defensive experience, is delegated to pick up the wandering Dooley? And can Tullamore avoid clearing ball to Brady standing on his own if that’s the case? Advantage to whoever gets it right. And Kevin Brady will not get it all his own way when faced by Gary Mannion.

At the other end there’s Brian Carroll v Hugh Treacy to consider. Hard to know. Brendan Dagg v Barry Teehan is advantage Tullamore – Dagg is hurling too well for it not to be and he has a critical advantage under the dropping ball. As does Nigel Mannion.

Mark Conlon’s return from long term injury is a huge boost to Tullamore. He coped well with Ger Healion’s htreat the last day – now he faces his biggest test in Cathal Parlon. If Parlon can get a decent supply, get out in front of Conlon, then his ball-winning and distribution would put Coolderry in a very strong position. If Parlon can gain an edge here and the scores follow (and it’s a big if – full forwards depend on a decent supply of ball after all) Coolderry would be in business.

Which leaves the corner-forwards. Much of Coolderry’s fortunes depend on Kevin Connolly and Eoin Ryan. This time they are faced by two of the best corner-backs in the County. No better men than Alan Martin and Stephen Egan to get out in front and cut out the supply.

If the pair are to score they will need to do so early on, which is an aim of Ken Hogan’s teams of late – Joachim Kelly said as much when quoted in the aftermath of the Camogie All-Ireland. There’ll be more space inside the 45 for them early on as half-backs and half-forwards keep outfield. As the match progresses the space will be less as opposition half-backs drop further back. Stephen Corcoran’s longer puckout will be counter-productive too as his half-forwards push up to the 45 and beyond.

Coolderry are largely untested which is a worry for them. That’s not their fault as they could only beat what was put in front of them and they couldn’t do anything about Shinrone’s lack of physique and belief; of Kinnitty’s lack of spirit. They’ve been in this position before though, comfortably overcoming weaker opposition only to be found wanting when the pressure came on later in the year. Other than Birr, only K/K (2007) and Clareen (last year) have beaten them in the group stages since this generation emerged in 2001, yet they’ve flattered to deceive. What’s different this time? On the other hand Tullamore mightn’t cope too well with an early and considerable deficit.

On their day Coolderry are capable of running up 2-18 or 2-20, which would comfortably see them take the cup home. Thing is, if their attack runs aground on a sea of blue-in-white they might do well to hit 2-8. Win or lose, Tullamore will hit around 1-12. Tullamore are doughtier and if they can resist Coolderry’s early advance they could well get stuck in for the long haul.

Coolderry by an early knockout or Tullamore to go the full 15 rounds. I was leaning towards Coolderry when it seemed James Keane would miss out. His reinstatement has swung the pendulum towards the blue-in-white corner. Tullamore on points for me – 1-13 to 1-11 or thereabouts.

[townman]

If Tullamore win this they will look back at the night James Keane’s suspension was lifted as the night they believed they would win it.

Imagine the boost. The uncertainty of who would fill in – would there be a straight swop or a whole raft of changes – in what, for Tullamore is a crucial position. The mood when next they gather in O’Brien Park will have a different air about it.

It’s no coincidence that Tullamore’s fortunes changed this year with the restoration of the Kelly / Keane midfield partnership. In fact, they’ve built their whole attack around it. Keane on the right, Kelly on the left, both hug the tramlines leaving acres of room for Dooley to cover ground behind midfield from the centre-forward position. The only mystery is why they started Dooley at corner-forward against Birr and Kilcormac – and kept him there for so long in each match.

For what it’s worth now, my own opinion was that Shane Dooley himself was Tullamore’s best candidate for midfield. Dooley could still move around as he ordinarily would from the right side of midfield, moving infield onto his left side and still be in scoring range, which for him is still a fair distance.

It would also force Martin Corcoran to make a decision – follow him or leave him go. Coolderry prefer keeping the eldest Corcoran in a deep role on the left of midfield, seemingly to protect David King. He’ll directly oppose James Keane now anyway and that choice will still have to be made by Coolderry. Kelly and Keane should have the edge over Corcoran and Kevin Teehan.

On Sunday the opening minutes will be absolutely crucial. In recent weeks Coolderry have unmercifully blitzed their opponents in the opening minutes. They don’t hang around for the settling-in period. And why should they? This generation of green and white have waited long enough to add a second County title.

On the other hand Tullamore are notoriously bad starters and could have been put away by both Birr and Kilcormac had either brought their shooting sticks. Birr had chances to tag on a succession of points while Kilcormac created goal chances which Messrs. Ryan, Parlon, Connolly and friends will certainly put away should they arise. Noticeable too was how the Tullamore full-back line was opened up in those early stages.

Expect Coolderry to take the wind should they win the toss. Tullamore’s preference would be to let the opposition take the wind in the first half, soak up the pressure and strike, wind assisted in the final quarter. I wonder would they take that chance should Jody Duffy call Brian Gavin’s 20c correctly.

The match will be decided on puckouts. Coolderry’s half-back line gobbled up opponents puckout after puckout against Shinrone and Kinnitty, their dominance providing the platform for success. If Coolderry are scoring readily (or even hitting wides) they should be well capable of staying on the front foot. Shnrone

Thing is that Damien Fox’s puckout is not particularly lengthy, particularly into the wind. That may actually be to Tullamore’s advantage as it suits them having Fox’s deliveries landing on midfield, where Kelly and Keane (and probably Dooley) will be the recipients. James Dempsey pucked out almost 40 times in the semi-final compared to Stephen Corcoran’s 15 restarts and so Coolderry’s dominance continued. Coolderry moving Kevin Brady to midfield in a switch with Kevin Teehan might be no bad thing.

Thing is Coolderry have struggled under their own puckout, where a half-forward combination of Brian Carroll, Barry Teehan and Damien Murray aren’t geared to dealing with the dropping ball. Indeed, of these, Carroll is probably the best equipped to compete for the dropping ball, and it’s not a source of possession they depend on. Corcoran hardly pucked out at all in the semi-final, but he had to puck out quite a number of times in the second half against Shinrone – when the two Morkans won ball after ball.

Shinrone didn’t carry the belief needed to beat Coolderry and they were never going to overcome that early deficit. Force Coolderry to puck out repeatedly and Coolderry are lost.

Some personal duels to keep an eye on as a barometer – Trevor Corcoran and Francie Kerrigan will wire into each other and it may well be advantage Coolderry here. Joe Brady will be faced with Shane Dooley for much of the second half. Coolderry can’t afford to let Dooley travel around the middle unaccompanied. Neither can they let Joe Brady abandon the centre of defence. Might be Barry Teehan, with his defensive experience, is delegated to pick up the wandering Dooley? And can Tullamore avoid clearing ball to Brady standing on his own if that’s the case? Advantage to whoever gets it right. And Kevin Brady will not get it all his own way when faced by Gary Mannion.

At the other end there’s Brian Carroll v Hugh Treacy to consider. Hard to know. Brendan Dagg v Barry Teehan is advantage Tullamore – Dagg is hurling too well for it not to be and he has a critical advantage under the dropping ball. As does Nigel Mannion.

Mark Conlon’s return from long term injury is a huge boost to Tullamore. He coped well with Ger Healion’s htreat the last day – now he faces his biggest test in Cathal Parlon. If Parlon can get a decent supply, get out in front of Conlon, then his ball-winning and distribution would put Coolderry in a very strong position. If Parlon can gain an edge here and the scores follow (and it’s a big if – full forwards depend on a decent supply of ball after all) Coolderry would be in business.

Which leaves the corner-forwards. Much of Coolderry’s fortunes depend on Kevin Connolly and Eoin Ryan. This time they are faced by two of the best corner-backs in the County. No better men than Alan Martin and Stephen Egan to get out in front and cut out the supply.

If the pair are to score they will need to do so early on, which is an aim of Ken Hogan’s teams of late – Joachim Kelly said as much when quoted in the aftermath of the Camogie All-Ireland. There’ll be more space inside the 45 for them early on as half-backs and half-forwards keep outfield. As the match progresses the space will be less as opposition half-backs drop further back. Stephen Corcoran’s longer puckout will be counter-productive too as his half-forwards push up to the 45 and beyond.

Coolderry are largely untested which is a worry for them. That’s not their fault as they could only beat what was put in front of them and they couldn’t do anything about Shinrone’s lack of physique and belief; of Kinnitty’s lack of spirit. They’ve been in this position before though, comfortably overcoming weaker opposition only to be found wanting when the pressure came on later in the year. Other than Birr, only K/K (2007) and Clareen (last year) have beaten them in the group stages since this generation emerged in 2001, yet they’ve flattered to deceive. What’s different this time? On the other hand Tullamore mightn’t cope too well with an early and considerable deficit.

On their day Coolderry are capable of running up 2-18 or 2-20, which would comfortably see them take the cup home. Thing is, if their attack runs aground on a sea of blue-in-white they might do well to hit 2-8. Win or lose, Tullamore will hit around 1-12. Tullamore are doughtier and if they can resist Coolderry’s early advance they could well get stuck in for the long haul.

Coolderry by an early knockout or Tullamore to go the full 15 rounds. I was leaning towards Coolderry when it seemed James Keane would miss out. His reinstatement has swung the pendulum towards the blue-in-white corner. Tullamore on points for me – 1-13 to 1-11 or thereabouts.

well POTH i say they are glad in coolderry that you have went for tullamore as you went for Kinnitty to beat them in the semil