Terrific Templederry claim O Riain Cup glory

GAA: FBD Insurance County Senior Hurling - Séamus Ó Riain Cup Final

Templederry Kenyons1-25

Killenaule 1-15

Report: James Hayden in Semple Stadium

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Gearóid Ryan (Templederry Kenyons)

SCORERS – Templederry Kenyons: Eanna Murray 0-7 (6 frees); Sean Ryan 1-2 (0-1 free); Gearoid Ryan, Adrian Ryan 0-4 each; Odhran Murphy, Brian Stapleton 0-3 each; Matthew Hogan, Padraig O’Leary 0-1 each.

Killenaule: Ciaran O’Dwyer 0-9 (7 frees, 1 65, 1 s-cut); Eoin Barry 1-0; Dean O’Connor, John O’Dwyer 0-2 each; Joe O’Dwyer (free), Liam Meagher 0-1 each.

A terrific Templederry Kenyons second half performance saw them topple Killenaule to ensure an historic first county title at senior level following an absorbing Séamus Ó Riain Cup final on Sunday.

‘Templederry My Home’ echoed from the steps of Ardán Ó Riain as Gearóid Ryan lifted the Ó Riain cup high into the heavens, much to delight of the green and white Kenyon faithful following a performance that will live long in the memory of every man, woman, and child with links to famed Templederry club.

For years Templederry have yearned for success at senior level following intermediate titles in 2000 and 2008 and under the guidance of Ballinahinch native Cormac McGrath, selectors Alan Ryan and Damien Bourke and a dedicated backroom team they now find themselves ranked in the upper echelon of hurling in the Premier County having secured Dan Breen status for the 21/22 season.

In what proved a tactically intriguing encounter Templederry played second fiddle to a well-drilled Killenaule side in the opening half but astute tactical switches at the interval aimed at bringing the influential Seán Ryan into the game coupled with the hugely impactful introduction of Brian Stapleton reaped huge rewards for Templederry.

Killenaule spurned two goal chances as well as amassing seven wides in an opening half which the ‘Robins’ edged on the balance of play but failed to make count on the scoreboard. Although both sides were locked at 0-10 apiece at the break it was Templederry who were the happier as they re-grouped following a half where they struggled to reach the pitch of the game and impose their will on a determined Killenaule side.

TemplederryMATCH STATSKillenaule

8Wides15

21Frees Conceded10

21/31Own Puckouts won18/34

1Yellow Cards1

0Red Cards0

With little or no breeze to contend with, the Kenyons started brightly with two early Eanna Murray frees before Kenneth Browne’s charges hit back with points from Dean O’Connor and Ciaran O’Dwyer (free). O’Dwyer edged Killenaule ahead with a second from a placed ball on eight minutes before the hugely impressive Odhrán Murphy levelled proceedings again.

Both sides were to level on three more occasions in a tense, tight opening quarter with Matthew Ryan, Gearóid Ryan and Eanna Murray on target for the Kenyons while John ‘Bubbles’ O’Dwyer and Ciaran O’Dwyer (65’ and free) kept the scoreboard ticking for Killenaule. With the sides locked at 0-6 apiece at the water-break it was evident Templederry were clearly struggling to get their attack moving while Killenaule almost bagged a major on twelve minutes after Eoin Shaw’s effort on goal tailed to the right and wide.

Killenaule’s Paddy Codd and Joe O’Dwyer were marshalling their respective lines well but ace marksman, Eanna Murray edged Templederry in front again following the resumption of hostilities.

The ‘Robins’ responded with Tom Stakelum scything through the Templederry rear-guard but Tom McCutcheon in the Templederry goal was equal to Stakelum’s low drive and Killenaule’s goal opportunity went a begging.

Midfielder Odhrán Murphy fired over a fine long-range effort to put two between the sides in the 22nd minute but back came Killenaule once again with Ciaran O’Dwyer on target from a close-range free and a sublimely struck side-line cut.

The South side almost netted again on 27 minutes after Mark Stakelum saw his effort crack off the upright and away to safety before a long-range Joe O’Dwyer free from deep inside his own half handed Killenaule the initiative once more. Templederry again levelled through an Eanna Murray free as the tit-for-tat battle continued. Dean O’Connor responded for Killenaule in injury time before Eanna Murray (free) ensured the sides remained locked at 0-10 apiece at the interval.

Whatever the Templederry management and backroom team said at half-time it worked with the Kenyons thundering into the game following the interval. Seán Ryan and substitute, Brian Stapleton knifed over two quick-fire points before both linked up to conjure Templederry’s only goal of the game with Ryan crashing the sliotar to the back of the Killenaule net following Stapleton’s incisive delivery.

Cormac McGrath’s charges were really coming into their own at this stage and although Ciaran O’Dwyer rattled over a well-struck free in response, the Kenyons hit a cracking purple patch with four points on the bounce from Brian Stapleton, Gearóid Ryan, Odhrán Murphy, and Adrian Ryan.

John O’Dwyer, who was well-shackled by the Templederry defence throughout, replied with a fine point but Brian Stapleton hit his third point from play to ensure the men in green and white held a commanding 1-17 to 0-12 lead at the second water-break.

Killenaule enforced a double substitution in a bid to rejuvenate their flagging defence, but it mattered not a jot as Templederry went for the jugular. Adrian Ryan opened the gap out to nine points after almost netting his side’s second goal before excellent efforts from Gearóid Ryan, Seán Ryan and Padraig O’Leary fired the Kenyons into an unassailable twelve-point lead with the guts of ten minutes remaining.

Killenaule kept battling on though with Ciaran O’Dwyer firing over a long-range free before sub Eoin Barry netted to put a more respectable look on the scoreboard.

Templederry were dominant in all sectors though and really turned the screw in the closing stages with further points from Adrian Ryan (2), Eanna Murray (free) and Gearóid Ryan copper-fastening a fully deserved and merited ten-point victory.

Templederry were full value for their win with an impressive 1-19 from play in a performance full of guile and nous. In defence, Darragh Carey, Christy Coughlan, Dale Donnelly, Tom Stapleton, Liam McCutcheon, Mikey Ryan, and Brian Stapleton restricted the Killenaule forward line to just four points from play. Odhrán Murphy and Michael Ryan dominated the midfield exchanges while Gearóid Ryan, Adrian Ryan and Padraig O’Leary excelled in the half-forward line with Templederry’s number ten covering almost every blade of grass on the pitch and just edging the man of the match award ahead of Odhrán Murphy. The Kenyons inside forward line caused Killenaule serious problems once they got going with Matthew Hogan, Eanna Murray and Seán Ryan all getting on the scoresheet.

Impressive for Killenaule on the day were Joe O’Dwyer, Ciaran O’Dwyer, Jimmy Feehan and Liam Meagher.

TEAMS – Templederry Kenyons: Tom McCutcheon (7), Darragh Carey (8), Christy Coughlan (8), Dale Donnelly (7); Tom Stapleton (8), Liam McCutcheon (8), Mikey Ryan (7); Odhrán Murphy (8), Michael Ryan (7); Gearóid Ryan (Capt, 8), Adrian Ryan (8), Pádraig O’Leary (7); Matthew Hogan (7), Eanna Murray (7), Seán Ryan (8).

Subs: Brian Stapleton (8) for Michael Ryan (HT); Colm Murray (6) for O’Leary (55); Tom Ryan (NR) for Hogan (60+1).

Killenaule: Jonathan Gleeson (7), Killian O’Dwyer (Capt, 8), Paddy Codd (7), Jack Hassett (7); Jimmy Feehan (7), Joe O’Dwyer (8), Liam Maher (7); Tom Stakelum (7), Eoin O’Connell (7); Dean O’Connor (7), John O’Dwyer (7), Ciaran O’Dwyer (7); Mark Stakelum (7), Michael Doyle (7), Eoin Shaw (7).

Subs: Kieran Bergin (6) for Stakelum (41); Paudie Feehan (6) for O’Connor (48); Eoin Barry (1-0, 7) for Shaw (48).

Referee: John Dooley (Thurles Gaels).