SHC quarter-final weekend
Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2014 9:53 pm
Some thoughts on this weekend’s quarter-finals
KILCORMAC-KILLOUGHEY V BALLINAMERE
There can be only one winner here, with the champions set to extend their winning streak (19 games now, a record) and their unbeaten record (21 games, still a bit off the record). Ciarán Slevin, Daniel Currams and Conor Mahon are all scoring too often. Ballinamere were not ten points inferior to Shinrone last time out, and while David Magner will get stuck into Currams, this is too big of a step up for last year’s Intermediate winners. K-K to cruise, something like 4-20 to 1-12.
BELMONT v ST RYNAGH’S
Again, I can see this going just the one way, with St Rynagh’s to advance. Yes, Belmont have beaten their neighbours across the canal twice in the last two years, but David Cox is a massive loss. Joe Maher caught the eye against Drumcullen and I felt he would make an impact here but gather there is some doubt about his participation.
Belmont still haven’t been playing well this year, and their win over Drumcullen last time out will remain 2014’s great mystery. Though still 3 points behind, you would have fancied Drumcullen to drive on after Conor Gath’s goal, but Belmont scored something like 9 points before Drumcullen scored again.
With a decent sized panel now that the emigrants are home from the USA, St Rynagh’s are going too well and should win with something to spare here. Something like 2-22 to 0-14.
COOLDERRY v SHINRONE
Not the draw Shinrone would have wanted, they have beaten neighbours Coolderry just twice ever in the SHC (1960 and 2000). Then again, these are the kind of matches where they need to make an impression if they are to make a serious breakthrough.
Coolderry’s forwards are in scoring form, and they have them in abundance. Brian Carroll and Kevin Connolly are scoring freely, Eoin Ryan showed signs of a return to form against Belmont. And against K-K they were back opening the scoring with a goal. Other hand, Cathal Parlon has scored just 1-5 in the championship so far, their half-forwards don’t win enough ball, and they are effectively working off a panel of 16.
Shinrone aren’t flush with sideline options themselves either. Still, Darren Crean is good at getting out in front (perhaps the best way to silence Eoin Ryan), and a half-back line of Conor Doughan, Michael Cleary and Shane McKelvey (or Joe Cleary, if he is fit to play) can win plenty of Coolderry puckout.
They depend on Seán Cleary in attack though, and while Cleary is hurling well, he is at a physical disadvantage directly opposing an tanc. The Corcorans should tie up the right side of the Shinrone attack, so Shinrone depend on Derek Morkan to score three points, win loads of ball, and cover for the defence as well. They seem to have played ‘Del’ on every line of the pitch so far this year, and I feel their countyman and leader is best deployed on the right side of midfield. How they cope with Kevin Brady on the other side of midfield is another problem.
Shinrone are not without hope here, but you couldn’t depend on them and a goal at any stage could kill them off. Coolderry to win, 2-18 to 0-15 or thereabouts.
BIRR v SEIR KIERAN
The one real ‘murder mystery’ of the weekend. First, the history bit. Clareen haven’t beaten Birr since the 1995 semi-final, Birr winning eight of the 11 SHC matches (three were drawn) between town and parish in the meantime. Still, they’ve met just three times in the last decade.
First thing to be considered – that half-forward line. Joseph Bergin will win his own ball; and score with it. Barry Bergin is hurling well and scoring this year; James Mulrooney likewise, and the latter’s contest with Seán Ryan (who shouldn’t hurl well at centre half-back, but is) will go a long way to deciding this quarter-final. Clareen have a goal threat on the inside too, though they need Tom Carroll to contribute a score more – he certainly has the potential.
Birr have stuttered – unconvincing against a poor Kinnitty team, winning a league Final (beating Clareen in the process) and losing to Tullamore (who themselves hadn’t beaten anyone else this year) does not inspire confidence. Leaving off three leaders for the craic against Tullamore was a misreading on the part of the manager of his own team and of the opposition The defence needs Paul Cleary to steady it, though Cleary is required to be the fulcrum of the attack. Eoghan Cahill is bright and breezy, but being opposed by the uber-consistent Dónal Coughlan is a big step up. Éanna Murphy won’t spare the timber either, and if he gets the better of Cleary then Birr are in bother. All that said, you’d at least expect Birr to be tuned in, which they weren’t against Shinrone or against Tullamore.
In recent years Coolderry and Kilcormac-Killoughey have made breakthroughs against Birr, matches that hinged on brief cameos. A Joe Brady fetch which led to Kevin Connolly’s goal; Killian Leonard’s amazing point. Clareen themselves might have made a breakthrough had Martin Walsh noticed Trevor Corcoran’s foul on Joe Bergin; instead, Coolderry drove on to reach Croke Park six months later. Three years on from that quarter-final that got away, Black and Amber stripes might have their day. 2-16 to 2-12 or thereabouts.
RELEGATION SEMI-FINALS
Kinnitty had a convincing win over Drumcullen at this stage last year. They might not win by as much here, but they will win nonetheless. Tullamore, with Shane Kelly hurling well all year, should account for Brosna Gaels.
KILCORMAC-KILLOUGHEY V BALLINAMERE
There can be only one winner here, with the champions set to extend their winning streak (19 games now, a record) and their unbeaten record (21 games, still a bit off the record). Ciarán Slevin, Daniel Currams and Conor Mahon are all scoring too often. Ballinamere were not ten points inferior to Shinrone last time out, and while David Magner will get stuck into Currams, this is too big of a step up for last year’s Intermediate winners. K-K to cruise, something like 4-20 to 1-12.
BELMONT v ST RYNAGH’S
Again, I can see this going just the one way, with St Rynagh’s to advance. Yes, Belmont have beaten their neighbours across the canal twice in the last two years, but David Cox is a massive loss. Joe Maher caught the eye against Drumcullen and I felt he would make an impact here but gather there is some doubt about his participation.
Belmont still haven’t been playing well this year, and their win over Drumcullen last time out will remain 2014’s great mystery. Though still 3 points behind, you would have fancied Drumcullen to drive on after Conor Gath’s goal, but Belmont scored something like 9 points before Drumcullen scored again.
With a decent sized panel now that the emigrants are home from the USA, St Rynagh’s are going too well and should win with something to spare here. Something like 2-22 to 0-14.
COOLDERRY v SHINRONE
Not the draw Shinrone would have wanted, they have beaten neighbours Coolderry just twice ever in the SHC (1960 and 2000). Then again, these are the kind of matches where they need to make an impression if they are to make a serious breakthrough.
Coolderry’s forwards are in scoring form, and they have them in abundance. Brian Carroll and Kevin Connolly are scoring freely, Eoin Ryan showed signs of a return to form against Belmont. And against K-K they were back opening the scoring with a goal. Other hand, Cathal Parlon has scored just 1-5 in the championship so far, their half-forwards don’t win enough ball, and they are effectively working off a panel of 16.
Shinrone aren’t flush with sideline options themselves either. Still, Darren Crean is good at getting out in front (perhaps the best way to silence Eoin Ryan), and a half-back line of Conor Doughan, Michael Cleary and Shane McKelvey (or Joe Cleary, if he is fit to play) can win plenty of Coolderry puckout.
They depend on Seán Cleary in attack though, and while Cleary is hurling well, he is at a physical disadvantage directly opposing an tanc. The Corcorans should tie up the right side of the Shinrone attack, so Shinrone depend on Derek Morkan to score three points, win loads of ball, and cover for the defence as well. They seem to have played ‘Del’ on every line of the pitch so far this year, and I feel their countyman and leader is best deployed on the right side of midfield. How they cope with Kevin Brady on the other side of midfield is another problem.
Shinrone are not without hope here, but you couldn’t depend on them and a goal at any stage could kill them off. Coolderry to win, 2-18 to 0-15 or thereabouts.
BIRR v SEIR KIERAN
The one real ‘murder mystery’ of the weekend. First, the history bit. Clareen haven’t beaten Birr since the 1995 semi-final, Birr winning eight of the 11 SHC matches (three were drawn) between town and parish in the meantime. Still, they’ve met just three times in the last decade.
First thing to be considered – that half-forward line. Joseph Bergin will win his own ball; and score with it. Barry Bergin is hurling well and scoring this year; James Mulrooney likewise, and the latter’s contest with Seán Ryan (who shouldn’t hurl well at centre half-back, but is) will go a long way to deciding this quarter-final. Clareen have a goal threat on the inside too, though they need Tom Carroll to contribute a score more – he certainly has the potential.
Birr have stuttered – unconvincing against a poor Kinnitty team, winning a league Final (beating Clareen in the process) and losing to Tullamore (who themselves hadn’t beaten anyone else this year) does not inspire confidence. Leaving off three leaders for the craic against Tullamore was a misreading on the part of the manager of his own team and of the opposition The defence needs Paul Cleary to steady it, though Cleary is required to be the fulcrum of the attack. Eoghan Cahill is bright and breezy, but being opposed by the uber-consistent Dónal Coughlan is a big step up. Éanna Murphy won’t spare the timber either, and if he gets the better of Cleary then Birr are in bother. All that said, you’d at least expect Birr to be tuned in, which they weren’t against Shinrone or against Tullamore.
In recent years Coolderry and Kilcormac-Killoughey have made breakthroughs against Birr, matches that hinged on brief cameos. A Joe Brady fetch which led to Kevin Connolly’s goal; Killian Leonard’s amazing point. Clareen themselves might have made a breakthrough had Martin Walsh noticed Trevor Corcoran’s foul on Joe Bergin; instead, Coolderry drove on to reach Croke Park six months later. Three years on from that quarter-final that got away, Black and Amber stripes might have their day. 2-16 to 2-12 or thereabouts.
RELEGATION SEMI-FINALS
Kinnitty had a convincing win over Drumcullen at this stage last year. They might not win by as much here, but they will win nonetheless. Tullamore, with Shane Kelly hurling well all year, should account for Brosna Gaels.