Griffin holds his nerve as Éire Óg edge Lorrha epic finale

FBD Insurance County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship Quarter-Final

Éire Óg Annacarty 1-27

Lorrha 3-19

Two match-winning points in added time were just about enough to see Annacarty get over Lorrha in as dramatic a contest as one would wish to see when the sides met at a sun-splashed Fr Kenyon Park, Templederry, last Sunday afternoon.

Having trailed for most of the hour, it was a goal by Kevin Fox that gave Éire Óg the lead for the first time as the game reached the hour mark. Lorrha, a man down since the dismissal of James Guinan in the 54th minute, came back level with a Colm Fogarty free, but Annacarty were on the rise and two points, including one from a penalty by man of the match Aidan Griffin, sealed the win and a place in the semi-final.

But one wonders what might have happened had Lorrha finished the day with fifteen men. The extra man told as Éire Óg appeared to have been energised by the outcome. Scores became easier to create in a game mainly dominated by the excellent marksmanship of Éire Óg’s Aidan Griffin and Colm Fogarty of Lorrha.

Griffin finished up with 0-15, including two points from play, much deserving of a man of the match performance, with Paudie Bradshaw and Dinny Crosse not far behind, while Conor O’Brien and especially Dan Kelly caught the eye in front of a hard-working full-back line. Colm Fogarty made no mistake with his 0-12, including 0-10 from frees, while Ciaran Haugh, Cillian Fitzgerald, Michael Dolan, Niall McIntyre, Conor Kennedy and Liam Donoghue never gave up.

The pity was there had to be a loser because it was a very entertaining contest from start to finish for two teams longing to get back to senior grade, a grade they spent many a long day involved in. There was a frantic start to the game as Conor Kennedy had the ball in the Annacarty net inside fourteen seconds. By the second minute, Brian Hogan had added a long-distance free before Annacarty replied with three accurate frees by Aidan Griffin.

The teams had barely time to get settled before Niall McIntyre was cutting strides towards the Annacarty goal before blasting past Darragh Mooney, while the same player added a point as Lorrha led by five after seven minutes.

The rest of the half was mainly a battle royal between Aidan Griffin and Colm Fogarty from placed balls as the first thirty minutes saw Griffin score seven frees as against four for Fogarty, with the Lorrha marksman scoring his first from play after eleven minutes, making it 2-3 to 0-5.

Apart from Griffin, the Annacarty side could rely on Dinny Crosse and Kevin Fox to score from play, but Lorrha would have the lead out to five after Christopher Fogarty split the posts in the 17th minute at 2-6 to 0-7. After Paudie Bradshaw reduced the margin to three, Lorrha went four in front once more when Donnacha O’Meara scored a fine point from close to the wing with seven to half-time. From there to the break, it was Griffin and Fogarty taking turns before Paudie Bradshaw had his second, leaving it Lorrha 2-8 Annacarty 0-12 at the break.

The resumption saw both Griffin and Colm Fogarty swapping frees before Lorrha went three in front after Christopher Fogarty scored his second point. The ever-present Paudie Bradshaw was a shining example in midfield, taking every chance, and he scored his third in the 34th minute. Colm Fogarty replied with a free. The evergreen Conor O’Brien hit back from play, but another Fogarty free meant Lorrha were three in front once more before Griffin (free) and Donal O’Dwyer from play had the margin at the minimum on forty minutes.

Seconds later, it was as if Moses had parted the Red Sea when Niall McIntyre had open ground in front of him and, with only Darragh Mooney to beat, his shot was saved by the outstretched leg of the former Tipp keeper. Inspired by the drama, the excitement levels increased as Griffin replied with an equalising point from play. Two Colm Fogarty frees had Lorrha in front again. Connie Bradshaw hit back before Liam O’Donoghue made use of a Patrick Bonner assist to make it 2-15 to 0-19 with eleven minutes remaining.

There was more drama. Lorrha won a free around fifty metres from the Annacarty goal when Brian Hogan’s high drive landed in the small square and the bounce deceived Darragh Mooney. Lorrha were suddenly five in front and ideas of victory must have entered the minds of their supporters.

However, Lorrha’s one ailment was the concession of needless frees and, with Aidan Griffin continuing his accuracy, true to fashion he hit back-to-back frees in the 51st and 52nd minutes before more Annacarty pressure saw Dinny Crosse score his third a minute later.

Then came James Guinan’s dismissal, which was harsh because his attempt to hook Aidan Griffin made contact with the head, which was accidental and minimal. However, they are the rules and the offence resulted in a second yellow card plus a red for the Lorrha man as Griffin converted the resulting free from much closer to the Lorrha goal.

Lorrha replied with three unanswered points through Eoin McIntyre, Colm Fogarty and a long-distance free by Brian Hogan. But the extra man was a factor and Annacarty excelled with wonderful scores through Paudie Bradshaw and Dinny Crosse before Kevin Fox goaled in the 60th minute when Tom Fox, who switched from six to the attack, plus Griffin were involved in the build-up. Lorrha were caught napping as Annacarty were in the lead for the first time.

Colm Fogarty levelled with a free two minutes later, but Annacarty saw their chance to conquer as Aidan Griffin secured the deal with two late points, the first from a penalty and one from play. It was a popular victory for Annacarty, as verified by the sight of their spectators huddled in the middle of the field after the long whistle.

Éire Óg Annacarty: Daragh Mooney; Mixie Bradshaw, David Fox, Paul Devlin; Conor O’Brien (0-1), Tom Fox, Dan Kelly; Connie Bradshaw (0-1), Paudie Bradshaw (0-4); Aidan Griffin (0-15, 0-12f, 0-1 pen), Donal O’Dwyer (0-1), Dinny Crosse (0-4); Brian Fox, Kevin Fox (1-1), Darragh Kelly.

Subs used: Darragh O’Brien for D Fox (26); Seanie Ryan for D O’Dwyer (50); Liam Og O’Dwyer for Darragh Kelly (64).

Lorrha and Dorrha: Brian Hogan (1-2f); Tom Duggan, Ciaran Haugh, Killian Fitzgerald; Denis O’Meara, Michael Dolan, James Guinan; David Sullivan, Niall McIntyre (1-1); Colm Fogarty (0-12, 0-10f), Christopher Fogarty (0-2), Conor Kennedy (1-0); Cian Hogan, Eoin McIntyre (0-1), Donnacha O’Meara.

Subs used: Patrick Maher for C Hogan (HT); Liam O’Donoghue (0-1) for O’Sullivan (41); Darragh Guinan for D O’Meara (47).

Referee: Shane O'Neill (Ardfinnan)