Oranmore/Maree boys come up trumps in replay

Oranmore/Maree 1-11

Killimordaly 0-12

ORANMORE/Maree showed no shortage of grit and steel to overcome Killimordaly in the Pier Head minor ‘B’ hurling championship final replay in typically wet and windy wintery weather at Kenny Park on Sunday.

The match was rescheduled from the original Saturday fixture due to storm Clodagh, and, given the amount of water that fell, the pitch held-up well, and both sets of players should be credited with providing a highly entertaining decider.

But, given the challenging conditions, the scope for mistakes was ever-present and it was unfortunate that after two matches, and more than two hours of hurling in which the width of a cigarette paper separated the teams, an error that lead to a ‘soft’ goal, ultimately determined the outcome.

Goalkeeping is often a thankless job and a lonely position and after the final whistle had sounded, everyone in the ground couldn’t but feel sorry for Killimordaly custodian, Niall Cannon, whose uncharacteristic error midway through the second-half effectively turned this tie on its head

The context is this: Killimordaly impressed playing into the strong wind in the first-half, and managed to make it to the break just four points in arrears, 0-10 to 0-6.  With the elements now at their backs, Eamonn Daly’s charges tore into their opponents after the break and levelled matters inside 15 minutes.

All the momentum was with Killimordaly and it was looking a bit ominous for Oranmore/Maree who appeared shell-shocked and on the back-foot until they converted an opportunistic goal.

Full-back Sean Bannon cleared his lines as far as key influence, Ross Malone, who from about 65 metres out attempted a long range point. The sliotar looked to be sailing over the crossbar but a gust of wind held it up and it dropped short. ‘Keeper Cannon instinctively put his paw up to gather it but he fumbled and it crossed the line into his own net.

It was a crushing blow to Killimordaly and a massive confidence booster to Oranmore/Maree who, having been pegged back in the third quarter, now had their noses in front again, 1-11 to 0-11, with a lead they successfully defended in the closing stages.

It is hard to escape the fact that the goal was decisive and in almost every department the sides were evenly matched. Oranmore/Maree recorded six wides to Killimordaly’s five; both sides had four scorers, and six scores apiece from play.

Full report in this week’s Connacht Tribune.