DJ-Carter combo topples Tullaroan
DJ has been the main man for the Gowran side in this championship run, and yesterday he again led by example, foraging, providing and winning the frees with Tullaroan full-back Ken Coogan in trouble throughout.
Carter it was however who really caught the eye. Six points from play in any company is good going; six points against a tough-tackling Tullaroan defence in a Kilkenny SHC semi-final, all under pressure, is pure class.
Carter still has it in abundance.
The first-half was a close affair, made especially so by the only goal of that period, an 11th minute ground shot from Tullaroan corner-forward Barry Teehan that was set up with a fine catch and pass by full-forward Michael Walsh.
That score helped to keep Tullaroan's noses in front until the 24th minute, when Charlie, after a great run by DJ, tied it up, 0-7 to 1-4. Seconds later, DJ put Young Irelands in front for the first time.
He added to that with another pointed free before the short whistle, making it 0-9 to 1-4 at the break.
Given that Gowran had been playing with the slight advantage of a breeze, that two point margin didn't look at all conclusive.
After the break Tullaroan opened the scoring with a point from one of their own inter-county men, Jimmy Coogan. However, the latter's shooting was a little off on the day (Tullaroan's five wides tally were all hit by Coogan). Given that he wasn't getting a lot of scoring support on the day, that meant trouble.
Gradually, inexorably, Young Irelands began to turn the screw.
Their defence was hurling magnificently and even as Tullaroan struggled for scores, the points started to come at the other end. Five from the Carter brothers, Charlie (3), Ollie, and David, to two for Tullaroan (one each from freetakers Coogan and Shane Hennessey), had it 0-14 to 1-7 in the 46th minute with Gowran firmly in the driving-seat.
Tullaroan kept battling and with sub Tom Fitzgerald beginning to threaten inside, they managed another couple of points via Hennessey from a free and Ned Sweeney from play.
But Young Irelands were not to be denied as they finished this one out in total control. Four more points were followed by the coup de grace in the fifth minute of injury time when a low slider from corner-forward David Carter went between the legs of Tullaroan keeper Richie Holland for a goal.
Onto the final then for Gowran, seeking their third title, after previous success in 1996 and 2002. Back to the drawing-board for a young Tullaroan side with a good League run on which to build.
A question, though: precocious inter-county star Tommy Walsh was named to start in the forwards but didn't. He spent almost the full hour at wing-back and was anonymous.
Why was he not moved forward earlier? When he did in the dying moments, he set up Sweeney with a sharp, instinctive, incisive pass.
With his skill and natural hurling intelligence, he would certainly have asked more questions of that Young Irelands defence than his colleagues.
: Young Irelands: C. Carter 0-6; DJ Carey 0-6 (all frees); D. Carter 1-2; O. Carter 0-2; D. Carroll, C. Phelan, 0-1 each. Tullaroan: J. Coogan 0-5 (0-3 frees); B. Teehan 1-0; S. Hennessey 0-3 (0-2 frees).
: M. Carey; C. Carroll, E. Farrell, C. Fitzgerald; S. Byrne, T. Drennan, D. Phelan; J. McDermott, J. Fitzgerald; T. Carroll, O. Carter, D. Carroll; C. Carter, DJ Carey, D. Carter. Subs: C. Phelan (T. Carroll 24); M. Carter (D. Phelan 42); P. Carroll (McDermott 60); P. O'Neill (O. Carter 60+4).
: R. Holland; E. Campion, K. Coogan, M. Maher; T. Walsh, S. Maher, R. Butler; E. Brennan, C. Maher (c); S. Hennessy, J. Coogan, P. Doheny; B. Teehan, M. Walsh, N. Maher. Subs: T. Fitzgerald (N. Maher 37); P. Kennedy (Brennan 55); N. Sweeney (Teehan 55).
: J. Guiney (Lisdowney).
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