SHC Replay

[Rynaghs Biffo]

Unfortunatly couldn't make it to this one,

Anyone got any reports on this??

[Plain of the Herbs]

The curtain came down on the domestic hurling season in a welter of drama and excitement yesterday in Birr. Birr, though not firing on all cylinders ground out a win to claim their 20th county title. What a way to win it though, with a 57th minute winner from Paul O’Meara, the least heralded of their forward division. This was the only score during the last ten minutes of superb hurling when Birr overturned a four point deficit at the 50 minute mark with aid of a stunning goal from a Gary Hanniffy strike. This cancelled out an earlier scrambled Coolderry goal and subsequent point which looked to set Coolderry up for a famous win.

Coolderry will feel hard done by. They shouldn’t. When the dust settles in The Black Bull and the Mill House and they analyse this in the cold light of day they will see just how they threw it away. In truth, their half back line won enough possession to win, but their use of the ball cost them dear. A long, raking ball into full forward, continuously and ad nauseum. And what did it yield, apart from a ‘push-over try’ of a goal that was in the square anyway? Nothing. Nowt. Nil. Any scores got were from the half forward line. Any scoreable frees were from distance. Paul Cleary won the battle of the big men. Coolderry never once looked to vary the play, to play in a low ball or play the ball to the corners. Their front three could never create any space from the long delivery, and the corner forwards were unable to read any breaking ball. Murray could have stolen it with what would have been an audacious goal from a narrow angle at the death, but in fairness, Birr deserved to hold on.

Now Coolderry surprised many with the quality of their back-play and with their spirit and skill. Few expected them to challenge Birr to this extent. This final was a throwback to the halcyon era of club hurling in Offaly, the 1990’s and the memorable final clashes of Clareen and Rynaghs. In time we’ll grow tired of this Coolderry team winning finals. The oldest of the starting 15 is 25 years old. Remember this Birr team took a while to rise to the top level, losing semi finals in ’86, ’88 and ’89. 1990 saw a first win over St. Rynaghs in 15 years before they lost that years final to Rynaghs. They eventually won out in 1991, though it took them 3 more years to win a second title and three more years again to win a third.

For Birr, Mulrooney was solid (and busy) in goal. Cleary was superb at full back while Verney excelled beside him. The half back line again hurled well while Gary Hanniffy was their best forward. It will be interesting to see how they progress in Leinster. If they’re in the mood they’ll be a match for James Stephens, Ballyhale or any club in Kilkenny. Their forwards will need to improve but at least the talent is there and as winter approaches, winning targets will decrease with each passing week.

For Coolderry, O’Connor was good in goal, O’Meara was solid again at full back. The two Corcorans also hurled well, Trevor particularly. Kevin Brady dominated when Coolderry were on top, though a number of lofted clearances without first looking were at the root of Coolderry’s failings. John McLoughney scored a massive point early on to keep them in it, while each of Brian Carroll’s 4 first half points were as good as the other. Otherwise their forwards didn’t really function, and Carroll was less effective in the second half, hurling at midfield and marking Barry Whelahan.

As the woman says “the title rests where it truly belongs”.

The completion of the club scene marks the coming of winter. Hurling followers can divide the hurling calender into four seasons:- spring = league; summer = provincial and All-Ireland championship; autumn = county championship; winter = rest for the followers, winter training for the hurlers.

At this stage, I’d like to say a big thank you to those who had encouraging things to say about my cyberspace musings during the year. I’ll go into the winter period now and try dream it all up again for 2007. What started as a few observations kinda snowballed and I never dreamed it would turn out like it did. It’s been a pleasure to meet those of you whom I did meet at matches and I hope to meet more of ye in 2007. The ‘Welsh’ cup is only four months away. Slán tamaill.

[Rynaghs Biffo]

Thanks for the solid report POTH, as always!! Would of liked to see Coolderry doing the business but Birr will be the stronger team in Leinster and maybe stay in the championship till Paddys day.

[Lone Shark]

In time we’ll grow tired of this Coolderry team winning finals. The oldest of the starting 15 is 25 years old. Remember this Birr team took a while to rise to the top level, losing semi finals in ’86, ’88 and ’89. 1990 saw a first win over St. Rynaghs in 15 years before they lost that years final to Rynaghs. They eventually won out in 1991, though it took them 3 more years to win a second title and three more years again to win a third.

I'm not sure about this - it's a nice though and I can see where you're coming from in that they have a decent panel with no significant loss to retirement likely in the next few years. However in saying that, the Birr, Clareen and Rynagh's teams that won multiple titles in the nineties all had three or four lads that won all stars and will go down as hurling greats. I don't know if any of that Coolderry team have the makings of that in them. Even the Kinnitty and Rynagh's teams that managed to win a few titles in the 1980's could make that claim. I would say that that Coolderry team would be vulnerable to any rising power that had a few real top quality players in their ranks, and that's presuming that Birr will step back to meet the pack, which is far from being a given.

I understand that it'll require a lot less to win an Offaly title in the coming five years than it did before the millenium, but I just don't know if they have "dynasty" written all over them.

At this stage, I’d like to say a big thank you to those who had encouraging things to say about my cyberspace musings during the year. I’ll go into the winter period now and try dream it all up again for 2007. What started as a few observations kinda snowballed and I never dreamed it would turn out like it did. It’s been a pleasure to meet those of you whom I did meet at matches and I hope to meet more of ye in 2007. The ‘Welsh’ cup is only four months away. Slán tamaill.

The pleasure was all ours lad ....

[black and red exile]

A superb and accurate report P.O.T.H. I had the pleasure of meeting u at a couple of games recently and you're knowledge of our ancient game is next to none. Perhaps we'll meet up during Birr's Leinster campaign in the next eight weeks or so. All the best.

[Bogman]

I would like to echo Gracefield Exile's Comments. A pleasure to meet POTH in person at a few matches but most of all thanks for the perceptive in-depth yet heartfelt analyses. Keep up the good work!!

Wasn't the game a Cracker. Hard Luck on anybody who missed it!!! Let's hope it marks the beginning of a period of renewed intensity for Offaly hurling, Club and County.