February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
Even if Galway were marginal favorites going into last Sunday’s final in Thurles, the confidence generated by the earlier triumphs at Croke Park seemed to flow through the Under-21 players as they picked off their scoring chances. Galway, by contrast, had a miserable day in attack with not one of their original six forwards managing a point from play.
In fact, it was another disappointing chapter in the Connacht county’s recent history at this level as they slumped to a sixth defeat in the last seven finals. “It was one of those days when we couldn’t make the space,” said losing manager John Hardiman. “We thought we could retrieve it at halftime, but Kilkenny’s second goal left us chasing the game. The better team won.”
Not even the highly promising Ger Farragher could make the difference. He got the scoreboard ticking from frees. However, his contribution from open play was uncharacteristically muted. It was only when one of the stars of the minor team, Niall Healy, was brought on as a substitute that Galway began to seriously threaten the Kilkenny defense.
Healy hit two points, but by that time Kilkenny were already on their way to victory thanks to a pair of goals from Aidan Fogarty and Conor Phelan. The second goal by the emerging Phelan, who finished with 1-4, put the winners six points clear and given that the Galway attack was misfiring so badly, the gap was always going to be insurmountable.
Healy’s influence, despite the impressive play of Kilkenny halfbacks J.J. Delaney, Jackie Tyrell and Ken Coogan, did reduce the deficit to 4 at one stage late in the game, but Kilkenny responded immediately for fire over four more points to seal the county’s eighth Under-21 title.
Questioned about the significance of the treble, winning manager Martin Fogarty wasn’t getting carried away. “It doesn’t matter at all, really, winning one is just the job,” he said. “The players deserve so much credit for all the hard work they’ve put in since January when they were stuck to the ground in the frost at Thomastown. The clubs who brought the players up must also get some credit. I’m just lucky enough to be given the role of manager. My job is to tog them out.”
CAMOGIE FINAL
TIPP 2-11
CORK 1-11
With Kilkenny ruling the roost in hurling, one county continues to dominate in camogie. Last Sunday at Croke Park represented a fifth All-Ireland senior final appearance for the women of Tipperary in as many years, and they celebrated with a fourth title, so avenging last season’s loss to Cork.
While Cork were able to plunder four goals in the 2002 decider, Tipp had clearly worked on their defense and this time the losers? solitary goal by Gemma O’Connor came in injury time when the destiny of the title was already assured.
If the scoreline suggests a close-run contest, it was never that tight following Deirdre Hughes’s second-half goal and 4 points in succession by the outstanding Emer McDonnell. Earlier, McDonnell had burst through to kick a first half goal and her contribution in attack was crucial.
Elsewhere, Philly Fogarty dominated midfield and Una O’Dwyer was the controlling presence in defense. Manager Raymie Ryan admitted that much of his team’s focus had been on keeping the Cork attack at bay, and if Fiona O’Driscoll had effectively won the game for Cork last year with a hat trick of goals, she was confined to three frees on this occasion.
Cork had the misfortune to lose the dangerous O’Connor with a hand injury, although she would later return as a sub to score that late goal. There were also good performances from Stephanie Dunlea, Rachel Moloney and Noelle Kennedy.
U-21
FOOTBALL SEMI
DUBLIN 3-10
WATERFORD 1-7
Tommy Lyons’s Dublin qualified to meet Tyrone in the All-Ireland Under-21 decider when they defeated Waterford in last Sunday’s semifinal in Thurles. It was the end of the line for a brave Waterford side which had sensationally defeated both Cork and Kerry in the Munster championship.
Dublin’s twin attacking threat of Alan Brogan and Declan O’Mahony made the difference, scoring 2-5 between them, while Declan Lally struck for the first goal. Shane Walsh had a goal for Waterford, who were in contention until O’Mahony got through for the winners’ third goal 6 minutes from the end.
“Things aren’t all gloom and doom in Dublin football,” reflected Lyons who is now hoping to guide the county to a first All-Ireland title at this level. “We have every chance of beating Tyrone. That was the sort of performance we wanted before a final and we worked hard for it. Overall, I thought we were the better, more composed team.”
COUNTY FINALS
The Meath county title went to Blackhall Gaels for the first time when they defeated Simonstown by 2-9 to 1-9 in last weekend’s final at Navan with Tadhg Brosnan and Robert Cox scoring the vital goals.
Round Towers took the Kildare championship for the first time in five years with a 2-14 to 1-9 win over Kilcock at Newbridge, while Clara triumphed in Offaly by beating Rhode 1-9 to 1-7 at Tullamore. Cavan Gaels won the Cavan crown with a 3-6 to 1-8 success over Mullahoran at Breffni Park, and in Monaghan, Castleblayney secured a 37th title with a 0-10 to 0-6 win against Latton at Clones.
There were draws in Westmeath with the Downs and Athlone finishing level, 0-9 to 1-6, in Longford, where John Lennon’s late point earned Ballymahon a 1-8 to 0-11 tie with Clonguish, and in Louth, where Shane Hynes’s injury-time goal earned St Patrick’s a replay with St Mary’s on a scoreline of 3-7 to 0-16.