Cashel progress as Portroe falter

GAA: FBD Insurance County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship Group 4

Cashel King Cormacs 0-21

Portroe 1-13

Report: Michael Dundon at FBD Semple Stadium

Portroe’s aspirations in qualifying from the group stage of the County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship hang in the balance after this disappointing defeat at the hands of Cashel King Cormacs on Saturday.

Victory in their opening game against Carrick Swan had Portroe in a good place going into this clash with Cashel who were also first round winners, but on the day, Portroe simply failed to perform to their ability, and while they were always within striking distance of their opponents, they never really threatened to overtake the West lads who took charge from an early stage.

With Carrick Swan and Clonakenny also in this group, claiming a quarter-final spot was never going to be easy and this loss makes things more difficult for Portroe who must win their next game to stay in the frame, although they have a preliminary quarter final spot secured following their North Championship success.

Much was expected from this clash, but it was a modest enough encounter that lacked championship bite, both sides being guilty of poor decision making at times and frequent handling errors.

John Sheedy pointed a free after two minutes to give Portroe the lead but two quick-fire points from county man Ger Browne had Cashel in front two minutes later and there they stayed to the finish as Portroe struggled to establish a foothold. Cashel showed lots of energy and quality as they raced into a 0-8 to 0-8 lead after nineteen minutes, John Sheedy being Port’s only scorer.

Christopher Riordan prevented a certain Cashel goal soon after, expertly hooking Cashel danger man Paddy Fahey as he bore down on goal.

Portroe looked to have gotten the break they needed in the 21st minute when Mark Gennery created the chance for Anthony Bourke to fire home a goal leaving Portroe only one point adrift, 1-4 to 0-8 but the North lads did not build on that score and at half-time were trailing 1-5 to 0-10.

Portroe fans hoped for a better second half showing with the fresh breeze now favouring their team but though they raised their game, Cashel were not giving ground. Colm Gleeson began to have a positive influence for Portroe who were thankful to goalie Diarmuid Boyle whose smart save denied Ger Browne a Cashel goal after 36 minutes.

Anthony Bourke, AJ Willis, Colm Gleeson, Ian O’Donnell, and Sam Madden each registered points in the third quarter for Portroe who were trailing by just one point, 1-11 to 0-15, as the game moved into the closing twelve minutes. Port needed a final push to get over the line but instead it was Cashel who finished the strongest.

Points from Ross Bonnar, Eoghan Connolly (free) and Devon Ryan (free) extended the Cashel lead to four points. Colm Gleeson countered for Portroe; Ger Browne responded for Cashel before John Sheedy pointed a Portroe free after 58 minutes cutting the lead to three points. But it was Cashel who had the final say, Devon Ryan firing over two frees in injury time to give them a win they fully deserved.

Cashel have secured top spot from the group after their second win. They have a lot of quality in their team with Eoghan Connolly, Conor O’Dwyer, and Ger Browne bringing inter-county experience to the side. However, Paddy Fahey was their top performer, operating at full forward and creating huge problems for the Portroe defence.

Portroe’s hopes are riding on their next game against Clonakenny with lots of improvement required on this showing. Colm Gleeson was their most consistent player with Robert Byrne, John Sheedy, goalie Diarmuid Boyle, and Sam Madden also doing well.

Player of the Match: Paddy Fahey (Cashel King Cormacs)

Cashel King Cormacs: Jonathan Walsh (6); Conor O’Dwyer (7), Nathan Ryan (6), Simon Delaney (6); Jack McGrath (6), Eoghan Connolly (0-4, 3f) 7), Ciaran Quinn (6); Ger Browne (0-4, 7), Paddy Fahey (0-1, 9); Devon Ryan (0-6f, 6), Daniel Moloney (6), Cathal Quinn (0-3, 7); Ross Bonnar (0-1, 6), Aaron Browne (6), Conn Bonnar (0-2, 6).

Subs: James Cummins (6) for McGrath (10 inj), Ronan Connolly (6) for A Browne (50).

Portroe: Diarmuid Boyle (7); Brian Keating (6), Mikey Breen (6), Sam Madden (0-1, 7); Jack Maloney (6), Robert Byrne (6), Christopher O’Riordan (6); Colm Gleeson (0-3, 2f) 7), Kevin O’Halloran (6); Ian O’Donnell (0-1, 6), John Sheedy (0-5, 4f) 7), AJ Willis (0-1, 6); Ruadhan Mulrooney (0-1, 6), Mark Gennery (6), Anthony Bourke (1-1, 7).

Subs: Kieran McKeogh (6) for Gennery (46); John Moroney (6) for O’Riordan (55); Mark Gennery for O’Donnell (60).

Referee: Paddy Ivors (Ballingarry)