Cappy throw down Co title gauntlet with quality show

Cappataggle 2-18

Loughrea 0-14

YOU’D just wonder have Cappataggle got inside Loughrea’s heads? Otherwise, it’s hard to account for why this derby senior hurling championship quarter-final collision ended up with such a decisive outcome at Duggan Park on Sunday evening.

Apart from a group win earlier in this year’s campaign, Loughrea’s fortunes against their neighbours over the past few years have been dismal, but this unexpected ten-point loss will surely prove the most difficult of all to absorb.

Loughrea knew what was coming down the tracks and though they started promisingly, leading by 0-6 to 0-4 after 17 minutes, their belief gradually dissipated in the face of a typically fiercely committed Cappataggle taking ownership of the key battles and asserting major tactical control.

It was soon clear that Loughrea were trying to win this quarter-final by shooting from out the field. Five of their opening six points came from distance and it initially compensated from having an under-staffed inside forward line. Incredibly, however, they would not score from play again in what was a frustrating evening.

Instead, Loughrea became heavily reliant on Jamie Ryan’s frees to stay in touch as they struggled to work a way through Cappataggle’s clogged and well-organised defensive lines. With several key players like Johnny Coen, Joseph Mooney and Sean Sweeney not having the anticipated impact either, Michael Ryan’s charges were a beaten docket long before the end.

In contrast, Cappataggle were sharper, more energetic and quicker thinking on the day. They were under pressure early on, but they gradually squeezed the middle third and started to turn over static Loughrea players in possession.

A high-quality individual goal from Michael Garvey in the 27th minute added to their momentum and though there were only three points between the teams at the break, 1-7 to 0-7, you already had the sense that Cappataggle were now dictating the terms of engagement.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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