Four-goal Garryspillane blaze a trail towards first county title

Garryspillane 4-16 Croom 1-20

And if this power-packed display was any guide, then ‘The Bouncers’ will surely start favourites to win their first title.

This was a Croom side that came with a hard-earned and well-deserved reputation, boasting big names in a number of vital positions - Ger Flynn, goal-keeping star of the Limerick minor team that reached this year’s All-Ireland final, senior star Michael Cahill at corner-back, dual player Mark O’Riordan at full, Stephen Lucey outside him at centre-back and Allstar contender Peter Lawlor in midfield.

Unfortunately for them however, where Croom were strong in spots, Garryspillane were a force throughout the park. Keeper Darren Hayes was safe as a lighthouse; John Sheehan, though caught for the Croom goal, anchored a dominant full-back line; captain David Ryan was inspirational, hitting three long-range pointed frees and subduing Croom captain Hugh Flavin. In midfield, another Limerick minor star, James Ryan, was prominent, ably backed by Micheal O’Donnell.

Up front, however, was where Garryspillane really tore Croom apart. Five of the six starting forwards scored, while Vincent O’Connell, who replaced Eoin Burke, also managed to get in on the act.

It was a game display by Croom, and 1-20 is fair scoring, but on an evening and on a pitch that was tailor-made for hurling, they were simply overpowered. Onward and upward then, for the Bouncers.

It all started so brightly for Croom. Three unanswered points in as many minutes, two from captain Flavin, suggested that after a couple of years of near-misses they might finally be about to live up to their billing as potential Limerick champions.

Soon, however, the cracks began to show, in their defence especially. Limerick star Donie Ryan got the first Garryspillane score, a goal, in the eighth minute, to tie the game.

Within two minutes of the Ryan goal, Garryspillane could have had two more but were denied by last-ditch flicks off the sticks of Carroll and Ryan, by Cahill and O’Riordan, respectively.

The Bouncers were piling on the points, however, Frankie unerring from frees, TJ Ryan making his presence felt at wing-forward, where he was to enjoy a very successful hour, so that at the 15-minute mark, they led by four, 1-5 to 0-4.

Croom fought back, half-forwards Thomas Carmody, Flavin and free-taker Peter Cregan (2) tying it up again in the 23rd minute. That was to be the last time they were level.

A long centre from the impressive James Ryan was broken by big Frank, now being marked by Lucey. Donie picked up the pieces, stepped inside Pa Reidy and gave Flynn no chance.

Another couple of points, one in reply by Cregan, left it 2-7 to 0-9 at the break and Garryspillane in control.

Courtesy of centre-forward Pat Tobin and midfielder Ryan, Garryspillane were a further two points to the good, and two goals clear within two minutes of the restart.

Credit to Croom, again they fought back, came to within a point by the 36th minute, following points from midfielder Niall O’Riordan and substitute James Carroll and a well-taken but softly-conceded goal by Carmody, now on the edge of the square.

Instantly, Garryspillane replied with a superb solo goal from wing-forward Maurice O’Brien, points from David Ryan and Frankie (2), and again there was clear water between the teams.

For the last quarter, and despite having a man red-carded (Pa Reidy, for a late hit on Frankie Carroll), Croom kept it interesting, managing another eight points, but when TJ, in the 53rd minute, matched the earlier solo and net-bursting shot by O’Brien on the other wing, it was curtains.

With Donie Ryan now acting effectively as sweeper between the two lines of defence, Croom were never again going to breach the Garryspillane rearguard.

Garryspillane are the only unbeaten team in the Limerick championship (a round-robin system operates for the early rounds), but that will count for nought if they lose the big one.

Their mission this year, as stated by team coach Tony Considine, wasn’t to get back to a county final. It was, and remains, to win that final. There will be no resting on laurels, because there are yet no laurels to rest on.

Scorers: Garryspillane: Donie Ryan 2-1; TJ Ryan 1-3; F Carroll 0-5 (frees); M O’Brien 1-0; David Ryan 0-3 (frees); P Tobin 0-2; J Ryan, V O’Connell, 0-1 each. Croom: P Cregan 0-9 (0-6 frees 0-1 65); H Flavin 0-4; T Carmody 1-1; J Carroll 0-3; J Barry, N O’Riordan, M Cregan, 0-1 each.

GARRYSPILLANE: D Hayes; S Bourke, J Sheehan, A Noonan; C Hickey, David Ryan (c); B O’Donnell; J Ryan, M O’Donnell; TJ Ryan, P Tobin, M O’Brien; Donie Ryan, F Carroll, E Burke. Subs: T O’Donnell (Hickey inj 42); V O’Connell (Burke 55); C Hickey (Tobin inj 58).

CROOM: G Flynn; M Cahill, M O’Riordan, P Reidy; K Cregan, S Lucey, S Lawlor; P Lawlor, N O’Riordan; P Cregan, H Flavin (capt.), T Carmody; M Lenihan, A McNamara, J Barry.

Subs: J Carroll (McNamara 30); N Cregan (S Lawlor 39); M Cregan (Barry 44); B Crofton (N O’Riordan 44).

Referee: M O’Connor (Na Piarsaigh).