Winning margin not enough as Our Lady’s exit

Our Lady’s 3-12 Douglas CS 3-7

Our Lady’s failed to make the knock-out stages. The Tipperary school needed to win by a far greater margin to claim second spot in their group - an honour that fell to Midleton CBS. It was disappointing for Our Lady’s. They played their best hurling of the championship, out-hurled a Douglas side that needed to win, but conceded a couple of soft goals that cost them dear. The Tipperary lads had the best player on view 30 in Shane Scully, who contributed 1-5 and Douglas had no answer to his silken skills. It wasn’t a one man show however. Ian Delaney was superb at centre back, while Kieran McGrath and Diarmuid Brennan also made major contributions to their side’s victory.

Despite conceding three goals, Douglas ‘keeper Denis O’Riordan played soundly, making one magnificent save late in the game. Outside him Alan Barry, Pat Carroll and David Olden held their end up well, and will benefit from the experience.

Team captain Colin Lahive had his moments at centre back as had Eoin Cadogan and Stephen Bermingham at midfield, while only Fintan O’Leary and Stephen Moylan threatened in attack.

With the wind to their backs, Our Lady’s, hurling with far greater authority, were quickly off the mark with two points, but a were rocked by a Peter Casey goal in the fifth minute following excellent work by O’Leary and Moylan.

However, Douglas struggled to contain the pacy Shane Scully who rifled over three glorious points in a row and the signs looked ominous for the city side as Our Lady’s led 1-9 to 1-1 coming up to the break.

Sustained pressure in the closing minutes earned Douglas a badly needed goal when Colin Lahive’s 65 broke out to Eoin Cadogen who first timed the sliothar to the net. A Five points deficit didn’t look insurmountable as they turned to play with the wind.

A Fintan O’Leary point seconds after the resumption raised Douglas hopes, but in a devastating eight minute spell, Our Lady’s struck for two goals, the second one a superb individual strike by Shane Scully to put real daylight between the sides. Douglas battled on bravely and managed to reduce the deficit to five points, following an excellent goal by Stephen Moylan, but a resolute Our Lady’s defence, in which corner backs Diarmuid Brennan and Colin Campion were excellent, held firm. Scorers for Our Ladys: S. Scully 1-5 (0-2 frees); K. McGrath 1-1; D. Costigan 1-0; M. Butler 0-3 (0-2 frees, 0-1 65); N. Rusell, J. Ryan, P. Murphy 0-1 each.

Douglas: F. O’Leary 0-5 (0-4 frees); P. Casey 1-1; E. Cadogan, S. Moylan 1-0 each; C. Lahive 0-1 (free).

OUR LADY’S: J. Scully; D. Brennan, R. Burke, C. Campion; P. greed, I.

Delaney, N. Russell; J. Ryan, M. Butler; S. Scully, K. McGrath, G. Ryan; P.

Murphy, D. Costigan, J. Egan.

Sub. M. Ryan for Butler.

DOUGLAS: D. O’Riordan; D. Olden, A. Barry, P. Carroll; K. Murphy, C. Lahive, R. Griffin; S. Bermingham, E. Cadogan; B. O’Connor, F. O’Leary, M. O’Callaghan; P. Casey, S. Moylan, R. O’Keeffe. Sub. K. O’Donovan for O’Keeffe.

Referee: D. O’Farrell (Mitchelstown).