Oulart and Coolderry to meet in Leinster decider

Oulart-The Ballagh (Wexford) 3-12 Cluogh-Ballacolla (Laois) 2-11, Wexford Park

Ballyboden St Enda’s (Dublin) 0-15 Coolderry (Offaly) 1-18, Parnell Park

Oulart-the Ballagh survived a second half scare from Laois champions Clough/Ballacolla to register a 3-12 to 2-11 semi-final win in the AIB Leinster Club Senior Hurling Championship.

Oulart led by 1-4 to 0-1 after just 11 minutes, with Eoin Moore rifling home an early goal for their first score of the game at Wexford Park.

Clough/Ballacolla bounced back thanks to a Michael McEvoy goal after a great pass from Stephen Maher, but Oulart held a 1-8 to 1-2 interval lead.

A Willie Dunphy goal and a brace of points cut the deficit to the minimum on the restart, before Oulart claimed their second goal through Shaun Murphy.

The hat-trick was soon completed for the Wexford champions by Rory Jacob and despite the best efforts of Willie Hyland, the O’Moore men could not produce a shock result.

The title is destined for either Wexford or Offaly after Coolderry got the better of Dublin champions Ballyboden St. Enda’s in the other semi-final clash today.

Ken Hogan’s Coolderry side progressed to the November 27 final following an impressive 1-18 to 0-15 victory at Parnell Park.

They recovered from a sluggish start to hit nine of the first half’s last 11 scores, with Barry Teehan cracking a fine goal past Dublin goalkeeper Gary Maguire, who did well to keep out an effort from Eoin Ryan.

Ballyboden, who had taken an early lead through Niall McMorrow, were still in contention at the break trailing by 1-11 to 0-8.

David Curtin and David O’Connor added to Ballyboden’s tally early in the second period and they kept Coolderry goalkeeper Stephen Corcoran busy throughout.

But free-taker Damien Murray had the biggest influence on the game. He sent over eight successful placed balls and Eoin Ryan (0-4) and Cathal Parlon (0-6) were just as accurate from play.

Their combined efforts were enough to book the Offaly club’s first Leinster SHC final appearance since 1980, when they lost out to Ballyhale Shamrocks of Kilkenny.

It sets up a unique final pairing at the end of the month. Oulart, who lost last year’s decider to O’Loughlin Gaels, and Coolderry have never won senior provincial honours before.

The last winners from Offaly were Birr in 2007, while Wexford have not had Leinster champions since Rathnure triumphed back in 1998.