Templederry secure second year in top flight

GAA: FBD Insurance County Senior Hurling Relegation Final

Templederry Kenyons 2-21

Eire Og Annacarty/Donohill 0-19

Report: Liam Hogan in Holycross

Matthew Hogan’s 59th minute goal put Templederry Kenyons out of Eire Og Annacarty’s reach and as a result their stay in the Dan Breen will last at least a second year following their eight-point win in this County Senior Hurling Relegation final on Saturday.

It was touch and go up to that for the side promoted just last year who found Eire Og a difficult task to overcome. Templederry did score their first goal twelve minutes earlier which eased their passage to victory but there are some who could arguably point out to two decisive moments which could have changed the colour of the game.

Templederry were 0-4 to 0-2 in front after eight minutes before wind-assisted Eire Og scored four unanswered points over the next six minutes. Then in the 17th minute, Eire Og had a great chance to stamp their authority on the game when they won a penalty after full forward Dinny Crosse was hauled down in the square. However, the penalty by goalkeeper Darragh Mooney was well saved by Templederry counterpart Tim McCutcheon. A five-point lead could have been major had the former Tipp custodian succeeded.

Templederry recovered to take a 0-9 to 0-8 lead when the busy Sean Ryan scored from almost an impossible angle, but Seanie Ryan replied for Annacarty with an equally good score before Darragh Mooney landed a second ninety metre free to bring his tally to three just before the changeover as the West side led 0-10 to 0-9.

The second half began with Annacarty suffering a setback when the highly influential Tom Fox was forced off with an arm injury. His powerful role at midfield was impressive up to then.

In the meantime, Odhran Murphy levelled, and Sean Ryan moved Templederry into the lead before Aidan Griffin posted a ninety-five metre free to level.

Then in the 37th minute the game reached another critical juncture when Darragh Mooney denied Odhran Murphy with a brilliant save. However, play was called back for a free which Sean Ryan converted. However, Annacarty took charge again with three unanswered points, two from Donal O’Dwyer either side of another Aidan Griffin free.

Another excellent point by Sean Ryan had the margin at the minimum but in the 46th minute Eoin Bradshaw had Annacarty two clear.

But one minute later the game turned again when Sean Ryan deceived the Annacarty defence when intercepting a well struck side-line ball and directing the ball past a wrong footed Darragh Mooney.

It was Templederry’s turn to turn the screw as Sean Ryan and Gearoid Ryan added points to increase the lead to three as the Kenyons defence held all the aces as Christy Coughlan, Tom Stapleton and Bryan Stapleton were very much to the fore.

However, Annacarty were far from spent and a point from the impressive Seanie Ryan left them two in arrears, but Adrian Ryan’s arrival was influential and his point in the 52nd minute followed by a Bryan Stapleton lengthy free had Templederry four in front, their biggest lead to date with seven minutes remaining.

That lead was reduced to three by Seanie Ryan in the 54th minute but Odhran Murphy had other ideas with his brilliant point from the touchline given them a four-point advantage for the second time.

In response, Aidan Griffin cut the margin to three with a free from halfway. In response Tim McCutcheon’s puckout was lengthy and his latest fell favourably for full forward Michael Hogan who found space and had little bother in directing a low show past Mooney. Game over!

Further points by Adrian Ryan, Odhran Ryan and Adrian Ryan had the lead stretched to nine but Conor O’Brien responded when his well-intended shot flying inches over the bar.

It was too little too late for Eire Og Annacarty whose sixteen year stay at senior level comes to an end. Templederry were safe and will take part in the Dan Breen 2023. With a better all round fifteen they just about deserved their win.

Player of the Match: Odhran Murphy (Templederry Kenyons)

Templederry Kenyons: Tim McCutcheon (7); Liam McCutcheon (7), Christy Coughlan (7), Tadgh McLoughlin (7); Michael Hayes (7), Tom Stapleton (7), Bryan Stapleton (0-1f, 7); Michael Ryan (P) (0-1, 6), Colm Murray (6); Gearoid Ryan (0-3, 7), Eanna Murray (6), Padraig O’Leary (6); Odhran Murphy (0-5, 1 s-cut, 8), Matthew Hogan (1-0, 6) Sean Ryan (1-8, 0-5f, 0-1’65) 7).

Subs: Adrian Ryan (0-3, 7) for O’Leary (39); Mike Ryan (Red) (6) for E Murray (42).

Eire Og Annacarty/Donohill: Darragh Mooney (0-3, 2f) 7); David Fox (6), Conor O’Brien (0-1, 7), Mikey Bradshaw (6); Paul Downey (7), Brian Fox (7), Paul Devlin (6); Daniel Kelly (6), Tom Fox (0-1, 8); Seanie Ryan (0-4, 7), Paudie O’Dwyer (0-1, 6), Paudie Bradshaw (0-1, 6); Aidan Griffin (0-5f, 6), Dinny Crosse (6), Donal O’Dwyer (0-2, 6).

Subs: Eoin Bradshaw (0-1, 6) for T Fox (32 inj); Kevin Fox (6) for Crosse (45); Connie Bradshaw (NR) for P O’Dwyer (56).

Referee: Michael Kennedy (Newcastle).