An ugly melee involving players and mentors just before the end marred this relegation play-off game at Cusack Park last Saturday, but it was Delvin who deservedly claimed victory and guaranteed their place in the senior hurling championship next year.
DELVIN: 2-13
CROOKEDWOOD: 1-10
By Damien Maher
Crookedwood make the drop to intermediate hurling after a very gallant performance in which they came from 10 points down after 22 minutes to within two point as the game entered its last 10 minutes. Delvin held their nerve and finished the game well, scoring 1-2 in the last 12 minutes (including injury-time) to ensure victory.
In truth Delvin have made good progress this season and with a little more composure and belief may well have avoided last Saturday’s scenario. They have been rewarded for a renewed effort and will get the opportunity to build on it next season, after they led by 1-11 to 1-5 at half-time and held firm against a resurgent Crookedwood side.
DELVIN DOMINANT
Both sides were drinking at the last chance saloon, but Delvin dominated the opening 22 minutes building up a lead of 1-10 to 0-3. Ironically it was Crookedwood who took the lead through a Barry O’Mara point (free) after just 44 seconds, but a John Cogan point levelled matters and with Killian Murphy to the fore, Delvin took a real grip.
Murphy (0-2, 1 free) and Dan Clune pucked scores as Delvin went three points clear; Murphy (65’) and Cogan (with a fine score from play) added further minors to leave Delvin four clear by the 11th minute and the lead would have been greater but for an important ‘hook’ by Damien Grifferty on Alan Clune. Frank McGrath shot a fine point from about 60 metres out near the sideline and when when Murphy converted a 16th minute free, Delvin led by 0-9 to 0-2.
Crookedwood were lethargic and Delvin punished them severely when Patrick Farrington found the net after 18 minutes: the wing forward’s shot lacked power but Crookedwood ‘keeper, Aaron Orme could only get a partial touch on the ball and it crept into the bottom corner.
Crookedwood showed real character to respond, though and an injury-time goal by Richie Crowley (following a goalmouth scramble) threw them a lifeline. At the break Delvin were six points clear, but still not out of danger.
RESURGENT
CROOKEDWOOD
Crookedwood’s resurgence continued after the interval and they dominated the next 20 minutes, closing the gap to just two points. O’Mara (three frees) and Antoin Savage, who shot a great point from play, got important scores: Savage played a one-two with O’Mara from a line ball and pucked a terrific point. That left Crookedwood just two adrift (1-9 to 1-11) with 11 minutes remaining. To compound matters, Delvin lost wing back Tosh Clune to a second yellow card on 44 minutes.
A Delvin response was required and it came when Darragh Clinton shot over from 50 metres for their first score of the second half, that after 20 minutes. Clinton popped up with another important point and in the 59th minute, Killian Murphy’s run led to Patrick Farrington finding the net. (Both players had a swipe at the loose ball, but Farrington got the final touch). That sealed victory for the men in maroon and white.
The closing stages of this game are best forgotten as an unseemly fracas spoiled what had been a sporting contest. Referee Mick Murtagh issued red cards to Ger Brennan and Frank McGrath initially, before applying the same sanction to Tony Clune and Antoin Savage. A mentor’s name was also noted but it was impossible for the match official, who could easily have handed out further red cards.
SCORERS – Delvin: P Farrington 2-0, K Murphy 0-4 (0-2f, 0-1 65’), D Clinton 0-4, J Cogan 0-2, A Clune, F McGrath and D Clune 0-1 each. Crookedwood: B O’Mara 0-8 (6f, 1 65’), R Crowley 1-0, A Savage and N Yourell 0-1 each.
DELVIN – John O’Shaughnessy; Tony Clune, Patrick Clune, Alan Cox; Tosh Clune, Niall Williams, Stefan Ennis; Killian Murphy, Alan Clune; Patrick Farrington, Frank McGrath, Patrick Farrelly; John Cogan, Darragh Clinton, Dan Clune. Subs: Graham Daly for Ennis (53).
CROOKEDWOOD – Aaron Orme; Finian Newman, Damien Grifferty, Enda Murray; Richie O’Neill, Shane McGovern, Seamus Savage; Eddie Nally, Antoin Savage; Simon McCarthy, Noel Yourell, Barry O’Mara; Richie Crowley, Brian McLoughlin, Kevin Orme. Subs: Ger Brennan for McCarthy (38), Ciaran Yourell for K Orme (44), Noel Kiernan for Grifferty (inj, 59).
REFEREE – Mick Murtagh (Clonkill).
