DONAL O'GRADY: Determination and desire key for hurlers of Offaly
Offaly champions Kilcormac-Killoughey understood this theory very well, being more aggressive and fighting harder for loose ball, particularly around midfield against Thurles Sarsfields on Saturday.
They won the 50/50 tussles and made things happen while their opponents hurled as if they expected things to fall into place for them.
Sars, apart from their forceful comeback that reduced a five-point lead to just one in the middle 10 minutes of the second half, were a little flat. One could argue the Tipperary champions were at least equal if not ahead in the skill department but overall they were well behind in the effort and commitment required.
It was work rate, commitment, as well as supreme effort throughout the field, allied to a high degree of skill, that saw the Leinster champions hurl impressively down the crucial final stretch. The psychological body blows dished out to Thurles Sars at critical times — Dan Currams’ goal before half time in response to the Thurles goal two minutes earlier; four unanswered points at the beginning of the second half; five unanswered points from the 53rd to 58th minutes and a superb save from keeper Conor Slevin to deny Richie Ruth in the 46th minute — ultimately decided this contest. Determination is the word that best describes the winners’ attitude while Sars were too casual up front where they spurned many good opportunities.
Thurles Sars started well. When low ball was played in, corner-forwards Richie Ruth and Pa Bourke caused problems for their markers. But, overall, their forwards’ touch and option-taking looked a little off.
Kilcormac-Killoughey, like all the good Offaly teams, were economical and led by a point at half time, while Thurles were wasteful before the interval, hitting six poor wides.
Bourke scored 1-5 for the losers, however his work-rate and application didn’t mirror the high standard of his Munster campaign and in a scoring position he dropped a good pass from Pádraic Maher, leading to a turnover score at the other end.
Denis Maher was excellent in the provincial campaign but was a little below his best. He had some poor wides and might have been more decisive with his passing when colleagues were in better positions.
Lar Corbett, effective in the second half, was forced to forage too far from goal in the opening half. He never threatened to get into good scoring positions and he may have benefited from a move inside. Although Bourke grabbed one high delivery and goaled, persisting with the tactic of high deliveries in the second half played into the hands of the Kilcormac-Killoughey defence. The Offaly side won all the big battles over the hour.
Crucially Dan Currams, who didn’t get a great supply, was highly effective at the edge of the square, scoring 1-1 and assisting for three points. Centre-forward Conor Mahon chipped in with two points and limited the influence of the usually dominant Pádraic Maher.
The strength of Damien Kilmartin in midfield eventually brought dominance to this sector and the springboard for their late point-fest.
Winning captain and right half-forward Ciarán Slevin was outstanding. He played very deep in the second half making it difficult for his marker to contain him while also helping out the defence. He hit two points from play — his final score a superb long range effort — and nine from placed balls. In games at this time of year discipline is key and a team cannot afford to cough up 10 points from frees as Thurles did.
Referee Colm Lyons kept up with play and while some free were innocuous, he may have been following strict interpretation as laid down by Croke Park.
Judging by this performance Kilcormac-Killoughey will fancy their chances no matter who they play in the final on St Patrick’s Day.
