Coolderry perfect in their final advance

Coolderry 1-18 Ballyboden St Enda's 0-15: NOVEMBER HURLING is not supposed to be like this. It's supposed to be slow, laboured, heavy – not slick, swift, fiery.

And you’re not supposed to get a headache from listening to the small band of Coolderry supporters sitting directly below the press box, who at times made it feel like the microcosm of a championship summer.

But with Parnell Park positively balmy for this time of year, the stage was perfectly set, although in the end only one team truly delivered on their potential. After trailing by three points midway through the first half, Coolderry suddenly pressed the turbo button – soon establishing a six-point lead which they effectively maintained until the finish line.

With that they set up a fascinating Leinster final showdown with Oulart-the-Ballagh.

In the meantime Coolderry can reflect on a near-perfect performance that, despite the shaky start, had them comfortably and deservedly in control of the Dublin champions. Cathal Parlon inflicted major damage at full forward – hitting six brilliant points from play – and Eoin Ryan chipped in with four, while Damien Murray hardly missed a placed ball.

Barry Teehan riffled home their goal just before half-time that ultimately gave them the confidence to go on and win, but there were solid demonstrations of hurling throughout the field, from goalkeeper Stephen Corcoran to the typically reliable Joe Brady and Brian Carroll.

It means Ballyboden St Enda’s must be content with a fifth successive Dublin title this season, which should still bring plenty of satisfaction, although there’s little doubt their impact on the provincial competition was lessened by the absence of Stephen Hiney and Conal Keaney who watched helplessly from the stand.

There was no arguing that Coolderry proved worthy winners, and yet Ballyboden didn’t do themselves any favours with some slack defending, while also failing to convert four fairly open goal chances.

Probably the best of those fell to Paul Ryan, who was dangerous whenever he was on the ball, when his late shot at goal forced a fine save by Corcoran. Ryan, who hit 0-5, also shot at goal from a free with about 10 minutes remaining, but that was blocked out for a 65.

At the other end, Coolderry were consistently and determinedly assaulting the Ballyboden goalmouth; having fallen 0-6 to 0-3 in arrears after 15 minutes, when Simon Lambert and David O’Connor looked dangerous for Ballyboden, they promptly drew level, on 20 minutes, and prompter still went three points up, the pick of which came from Eoin Ryan.

The goal on 31 minutes was sweetly taken – Parlon passed off to Murray, who spotted Teehan unmarked on his left and it was finished superbly, leaving them 1-11 to 0-8 up at the break.

Ballyboden did tighten things up a little in the second half, as Darragh Spain, who did not enjoy a good afternoon, was taken out of full back, while in went Malachy Travers. They got back to within four points, twice, including on 50 minutes. But when Lambert failed to finish off a threatening charge at goal the sense was it wasn’t their day, especially with Parlon firing over scores with increasing swagger.

Conor McCormack also had a goal chance for Ballyboden that could have brought them back into contention, but there was something slightly lethargic about their attack that possibly suggested the Dublin campaign had taken the best out of them.

“Hurling well,” was the modest reaction of Coolderry manager Ken Hogan, who knows too that they’ll need to repeat this sort of display to beat Oulart-the-Ballagh.

But they’re in the final with the prospect of a first Leinster title for the Offaly club, and that’s good enough for now.

COOLDERRY: S Corcoran; B Kelly, T Corcoran, A Corcoran; D King, J Brady, B O’Meara; K Teehan, K Brady; B Carroll, B Teehan (1-0), M Corcoran; E Ryan (0-4), C Parlon (0-6), D Murray (0-8, all frees). Sub: K Connolly for King (52 mins).

BALLYBODEN ST ENDA’S: G Maguire; D Sweeney, D Spain, P Buckeridge; M Travers, S Nolan, D Curran; D Curtin (0-1), S Durkin (0-1, free); S Lambert (0-2), T Sweeney, D O’Connor (0-2); P Ryan (0-5, 0-2 frees, 0-1 65), C McCormack (0-1), N McMorrow (0-2). Subs: S O’Connor (0-1) for Spain (half time), J Doody for T Sweeney (52 mins), E Carroll for McCormack.

Referee: A Stapleton (Laois).

The Leinster club hurling final between Coolderry and Oulart-The-Ballagh will be played on Sunday, November 11th. Venue TBA.