COLEMAN ON SONG!
Goals seal the deal for St Martin’s
ST MARTIN’S FAYTHE HARRIERS 2-13 2-12
ULTIMATELY it was two second half goals from Conor Coleman that propelled St. Martin’s to a hard earned single point victory over a battling Faythe Harriers outfit in this Under-20 Division 1A hurling championship game at Pairc Charman on Sunday afternoon last.
A St. Martin’s victory looked unlikely entering the final quarter as they trailed eight points, 2-11 to 0-9, for with the Harriers looking firmly in control they had left themselves with a huge mountain to climb to take anything from this game.
But it was substitute Conor Coleman who pounced for the two crucial goals, and while the sides were deadlocked on 60 minutes it still took a fine Eoin O’Leary point out of midfield to eventually separate the sides.
For Faythe Harriers, defeat was difficult to take. While they only led by two points at the interval having played with the wind, they showed immense improvement on the resumption as Conall Clancy looked hugely impressive in attack, while Daniel Lynch and Fiach Crowley gave them a real foothold in midfield.
However, they will be desperately disappointed to have let this game slip from their grasp, particularly when looking comfortable holding an eight point lead entering the closing quarter.
Both sides found it difficult to create a crisp tough through the opening exchanges, with the sides level 0-2 each after 12 minutes, with Eoin O’Leary and Jack Devereux pointing the eventual winners in front, while Conal Clancy and a James Henebery free responded for the town side.
Credit to Harriers they lifted their game with Jack O’Leary getting on the end of a long delivery to the fringe of the square, directing the ball to net.
Both sides were battling for crucial possession, but neither side managed to enjoy any real periods of dominance, as they continued to exchange points, with Kyle Firman sharing the St. Martin’s scores, while two Henebry frees along with a fine Fiach Crowley point, got on target for Harriers who led 1-6 to 0-8 at the interval.
With wind advantage, one expected St. Martin’s to power on, but the Harriers dug deep opening the second half with two excellent Clancy point.
They went on to lead 2-11 to 0-9 at the end of the third quarter, this after Cormac Byrne found the net from close range, after Martin’s keeper Caolan Quirke had saved superbly from Clancy.
But the Harriers impressive scoring rate dried up in the final quarter, as St. Martin’s dug deep, battling their way back into contention through 47th minute goal from sub Coleman who fired home after the defence failed to clear.
St. Martin’s still trailed by three points with five minutes remaining, but it was Coleman who once again pounced for fire home from an acute angle beating keeper Luc Doyle at his near post, leaving his side amazingly in front, 2-11 to 2-10.
As the sides were deadlocked entering additional time, it was Eoin O’Leary who popped up with a superb winning point out of midfield.
St. Martin’s: Caolan Quirke;Sam Audsley, Philip Dempsey, Rory Cullen; Stephen Doyle, Ben Maddock, Paddy Gallagher; Eoin O’Leary (0-3), Alan Cantwell; Philip McDermott, Kyle Firman (0-6 frees), Ben Stafford; Liam O L:ionain, Jack Devereux (0-3), Jack Roche. Subs: Conor Coleman (2-1) for McDermott; James Mernagh for Cullen; Rory Devereux for Roche.
Faythe Harriers: Luc Doyle; Killian Gahan, Cathal Kirwan, Jake Clancy; Conall Crowley, Cormac Byrne (1-0), Danny Walsh; Daniel Lynch (0-1), Fiach Crowley (0-1); James Henebry (0-3 frees), Sean Banville, Conall Clancy (0-4); Brian Mitchell, Jack O’Leary (1-1), Chris Glover (0-1). Subs: Daragh Reville for Mitchell; Paddy Glover for Glover; Ryan Furlong for Jake Clancy; Cian O Foirne for Walsh.
Referee: Dan Crosby (Kilmore).