Taghmon-Camross spring surprise with merited narrow win
GRANTSTOWN PLAYED host to a remarkable game in Group B of The Courtyard Ferns Intermediate hurling championship on Saturday.
A hotly-fancied St. James’ were ground down in the second-half by a battling Taghmon-Camross side that finally found a victory in what has been a difficult season.
On paper, there was only one result: St. James’ were in good form, whereas Taghmon-Camross have struggled, especially with key players overseas.
They were down by five at half-time, and it should have been more. St. James’ left them in it, and a number of factors combined to give an unlikely result.
There was thunder, lightning, rain and a strong wind during the first-half.
In contrast, there was sunshine and only a light breeze for the second.
The play was like the weather – very mixed. The men from Ramsgrange set the tone.
Their combination play, general handling and movement had Taghmon-Camross chasing shadows.
Shane Murphy was on fire at full-forward, with Kevin O’Grady’s pace beside him a feature also. Matthew O’Hanlon was conducting the orchestra from the half-back line.
Murphy was out in front for everything, and landed great scores. Tommy Walsh, Paul Walsh and Kevin O’Grady also chipped in with points as the Jimmies dictated the play.
On 27 minutes, they almost finished off their opponents, only for Kevin O’Grady’s strike on the run to come back off the crossbar.
At this point, Robert Nolan’s side had only three pointed frees on the board, having played with the wind.
Their first score from play came in the 30th minute, with Michael Foley collecting a Conor Murphy ball in before slotting over, and they trailed 9-4 at half-time.
A few early scores from St. James’ in the second-half, and they could run riot.
Taghmon-Camross tore up the script. Though a Murphy free made it a six-point gap on 32 minutes, then came 1-3 without reply from their opponents.
A Conor Murphy point was quickly followed by a rarity in hurling – an own goal. Goalkeeper Jack Dunne’s free came off the hurl of O’Hanlon, redirecting it the other way into the net.
A minute later, Jason Barron had a foul awarded against him for holding the hurl of half-time substitute Chris Cullen – with the full-forward adding significantly to his side’s attack for the second period. Dunne’s 20-metre free went over the bar.
Two Murphy efforts (one free) gave St. James’ a two-point lead, but they now realised they were in a serious battle.
The tackles were going in hard and fast. Players were squaring up to one another. There was one red card; there could have been a second. There was a real championship cut and thrust feel to it.
Between the 42nd and 45th minutes, Taghmon-Camross landed points through Barry O’Gorman, Chris Cullen and a Michael Foley free. St. James’ didn’t look beaten, but they were rattled.
In the next ten minutes they dropped a ball short into the goalkeeper and struck four wides. On 51 minutes Tomás Barron bore down on goal, only to see his shot fly wide of the target.
Three minutes later, the game looked to have turned again. Alan Walsh turned and set sail for goal, and he managed to tap over a score while being fouled.
O’Gorman, already on a yellow, was shown a second yellow and sent to the line. A point down, six to play, with 14 men – was the brave Taghmon-Camross effort about to fall short?
It was helter-skelter in the last few minutes. A Foley free tied up matters on 56 minutes. Now both sidelines and the supporters were in full voice. Cullen won a free, but Jack Dunne’s effort tailed wide.
On 60 minutes, the winning score was landed. Darren Hayden was the provider, and Conor Murphy made a good catch before lofting over.
A few more minutes of mayhem followed. The final whistle then sounded to a huge cheer of relief from Taghmon-Camross.
This victory will inject badly-needed confidence into the squad. It’s a defeat that could well ignite St. James’ too.
Taghmon-Camross: Jack Dunne (0-2, 1 pen., 1 free); David O’Keeffe, Alan Nolan, Shane Lacey; Tom Banville, Barry O’Gorman (0-1), Conor Foley; Michael Foley (0-6, 5 frees), Ryan Cashin; Conor Mernagh, Darren Hayden, Cathal Murphy; Aaron Hanley, Conor Murphy (0-2), Adam Sinnott. Subs. – Chris Cullen (0-1) for Cathal Murphy (HT), James Kelly for Cashin (61).
St. James’: Graeme Molloy; Darragh McPhillips, Jason Barron, Paul Barron; Robbie Barron, Matthew O’Hanlon, Colum Fitzgerald; Ciarán McPhillips, Ben McPhillips; Tomás Barron, Alan Walsh (0-1), Paul Walsh (0-1); Kevin O’Grady (0-1), Shane Murphy (0-10, 5 frees), Tommy Walsh (0-1). Subs. – Darragh Glynn for C. McPhillips (39), Michael O’Grady for P. Walsh (54).
Referee: Stephen Burke (Na Fianna Clonard).