Late show undoes Ulster Colleges’ great showing in Croke Cup
March 16, 2013
Croke Cup quarter-finals
Ulster Colleges 1-14 Connacht Mercy Colleges 2-12
Inexperience, not hurling ability, is why Ulster Colleges are not preparing for a Croke Cup semi-final with holders Kilkenny CBS next Saturday.
They managed to lose a game they were in control of and indeed at times dominated by not putting Mercy Colleges from Connacht away when they were 8 points up with less than 20 minutes to play.
Add in a couple of very harsh refereeing decsions in injury time and the full disappointment of an excellent effort at Ashbourne on Saturday is realised.
This is a game Ulster should not have lost. But there were periods at the start and end where a little more experience at this level of competition could have taken them across the line and allowed them to build on the experience.
The team seemed very nervous for the first 15 minutes and took a long time to settle into any real pattern of play. During the second quarter though they were dominant and began to play some excellent hurling, epitomised by a point taken by Eamon Kearns that came at the end of 4 super passes into space that players had created, leaving Kearns with a clear target from 40 metres out.
We led by double scores at the break 0-10 to 0-5, with 6 super frees from Mattie Lennon. Conor Johnson had a brilliant half, taking two excellent points but opening up play with his speed and awareness.
Midfield was fairly crowded at times, but the physical strength of the northerners gave them the upperhand, while the defence had by now taken control and didn’t look as if it could be breached.
Within 15 seconds of the re-start, Domhnall Nugent fired home a goal. Although Flynn hit back with two points, Lennon from a free and a 65 left his side 1-12 to 0-7 ahead after 42 minutes.
The next 10 minutes was probably where the game was lost – and more experience at this level could have helped with the decision-making.
In the 44th minute, two Ulster defenders committed to a high delivery that went over both leaving dangerman Flynn with a clear run on goal. That score was a turning-point as it gave Mercy Colleges hope they hadn’t had up until now.
It also panicked Ulster a little. Although Lennon slotted over a free in response, Chris Egan had a couple of great runs on goal that should have delivered at least 2 points. A couple of handy frees were conceeded at the back and Mercy edged closer.
Ulster still led by 1-14 to 1-11 entering injury time, when referee David Hughes award Mercy a 21 metres free when Conor O’Neill looked to have fairly tackled Eoin Morrissey. It was a contentious decision. Jason Flynn levelled the tie by burying the free.
From the puck-out, Lorcán McMullan, one of the Ulster side’s top-performers, was clearly tripped as he went clear. Referee Hughes waved play on and the sliotar was picked up by Shane Caulfield who launched a massive strike from 90 metres that sailed over the bar to break Ulster hearts.
Ulster proved that they had prepared well enough to compete on an equal footing at this level. However they hesitated a little when exposed to the white heat of competition and ultimately fell on that sword.
I have no doubt in my mind that, had they survived here, their semi-final performance would have been turbo-charged by the confidence that comes with victory. Sadly that notion will not be proven for another 12 months at least.
Ulster team : Colin Hayden (St Killian’s Garron Tower), Tomas Ó Ciaráin (St Mary’s CBGS), Rian Brannigan (St Colman’s Newry), Maol Connolly (St Killian’s), Conor Costello (Aquinas), Conor O Neill (St Patrick’s Downpatrick), Paddy Burke (St Killian’s), Lorcán McMullan (Knock) 0-2, Chris Egan (Knock), Conor Johnson (St Mary’s CBGS) 0-2, Ryan McCambridge (CPC Ballycastle), Eoghan Campbell (CPC Ballycastle), Mattie Lennon (St Patrick’s Armagh) 0-9, 0-8 frees, 0-1 65, Domhnall Nugent (La Salle) 1-0, Eamon Kearns (St Killian’s) 0-1.
Subs : Subs : Eoghan Sands (St Patrick’s Downpatrick) for D Nugent (42), John McManus (St Patrick’s Downpatrick) for P Burke (54), Pearse óg McCrickard (St Colman’s Newry) for R McCambridge (57), John McGoldrick (St Patrick’s Belfast) for M Connolly (57).
Subs not used : Daniel Doran, Brooke Byres, Caolan Taggart (all St Patrick’s Downpatrick), Paddy McBride (CPC Ballycastle), Declan Traynor (St Louis Ballymena), Gerard Walsh (St Mary’s CBGS), Ryan McNulty (Rathmore Grammar), Ruari Devlin (St Patrick’s Academy), Daniel Mone (St Patrick’s Keady), Cormac Ross (St Malachy’s Belfast), Christy McNaughton (St Killian’s).
Mercy : Cathal Touhy, Stephen Pierce, Conor Nevin, Ronan Fahy, Oisin Coyle, Shane Caulfield 0-1, Peter English, Martin O’Brien 0-2, Luke Uniacke, Kevin McHugo, Daniel Sweeney, Jason Flynn 2-9, 1-7 frees, 0-1 65, Geroid Loughnane, Eoin Morrisey, Cormac Dillon.
Subs : Cathal Kelly for C Dillon (25), conor Gardiner for G Loughnane (38).
Referee : David Hughes.