Late rally sees Crookedwood edge out Ringtown

Shane King

Kevin Orme's second goal and a strong finish helped Crookedwood pull clear of Ringtown to claim a deserved four-point victory in an entertaining Senior 'B' Hurling Championship clash at TEG Cusack Park on Saturday evening.

Ringtown looked the more threatening side for long periods and were left to rue a series of first-half wides and missed opportunities. Crookedwood, however, made the most of their chances, with Barry O'Mara proving influential throughout and Orme's first-half goal helping them establish a six-point interval lead.

The second half developed into an absorbing contest, with Ringtown battling back impressively. Jason Moran inspired the comeback while substitute Seán Boylan's early goal after the restart reignited their challenge. The sides were level with 10 minutes remaining, but Crookedwood found another gear when it mattered most.

Orme struck for his second goal before Barry O'Mara, Brian McLoughlin and Ian McGovern added crucial late points to secure a valuable victory that keeps Crookedwood firmly in the hunt near the top of the group. For Ringtown, meanwhile, the search for a first championship win continues as the threat of relegation grows.

Crookedwood made the brighter start with Lorcan O'Mara and Shane McGovern pointing inside the opening two minutes. Ringtown responded well, with Brian Brophy and Johnny Hardman levelling matters through two fine points from play.

Crookedwood then enjoyed a dominant spell. Michael Davitt split the posts before Barry O'Mara converted a free. Moments later came the first goal of the evening.

Feichin Óg Brennan's hook on Mark Cunningham prevented a certain Ringtown chance and sparked a swift counter-attack, with Lorcan O'Mara releasing Kevin Orme to finish clinically to the net.

Jason Moran and Barry O'Mara exchanged pointed frees before Ringtown gradually found their rhythm. Moran gathered a breaking ball for an excellent point from play before adding two frees, while Mark Cunningham also found the target to reduce the deficit to a single point.

Crookedwood responded through Anthony McGivney's fine long-range effort before Lorcan O'Mara battled through a crowded defence, saw his goal attempt saved by Darragh Moran and calmly converted the rebound over the bar.The contest became increasingly open as Paul Nangle claimed a superb catch before pointing for Ringtown, while Barry O'Mara replied with a converted 65’. Mark Cunningham and Jason Moran exchanged excellent scores before Moran landed another free to cut the gap to two.

Crookedwood finished the half strongly. Barry O'Mara pointed brilliantly from a tight angle before converting another free, while Shane McGovern added two excellent points from play. Darren Kilcoyne briefly responded for Ringtown, but Kevin Orme forced a turnover before splitting the posts to leave Crookedwood six points ahead at half-time.

Ringtown could hardly have wished for a better start to the second period. Within seconds of the restart, substitute Seán Boylan reacted quickest after Mark Cunningham's effort rebounded off the crossbar to fire to the net following good work from Johnny Hardman. Jason Moran then converted a free to leave just two points between the sides.

Shane McGovern and Lorcan O'Mara steadied Crookedwood with points before Moran replied once more. Barry O'Mara and Moran traded frees, while O'Mara and Emmett Corrigan exchanged points from play in a contest that continued to ebb and flow.

Moran converted a 65’ before Barry O'Mara restored Crookedwood's three-point advantage with another free. Ringtown then produced their best spell of the match, drawing level with three unanswered scores. Corrigan showed great strength to power through for a point before Moran converted a free and then caught Crookedwood off guard by taking another quickly to Mark Cunningham, who split the posts to level the game.

With the outcome hanging in the balance, Crookedwood finished the stronger. Seán Brennan's delivery found Brian McLoughlin, whose goal effort was brilliantly stopped on the line by Niall Moran, but Kevin Orme reacted first to drive the loose ball to the net and restore Crookedwood's advantage.

Barry O'Mara converted a free after excellent work from Adam Bate, who won a crucial puck-out, before Brian McLoughlin and Ian McGovern added points from play. O'Mara then capped another outstanding display with a superb score from near the terrace sideline to effectively seal the result.

Ringtown grabbed a late consolation goal when Darren Kilcoyne kicked the sliotar along the ground before finishing to the net, but it arrived too late to deny Crookedwood a deserved victory.

Scorers - Crookedwood: B O’Mara 0-10 (5f, 2 65’), K Orme 2-1, S McGovern 0-4, L O’Mara 0-3, A McGivney, M Davitt, Sean Brennan, B McLoughlin and I McGovern 0-1 each.

Ringtown: J Moran 0-10 (7f, 1 65’), D Kilcoyne 1-1, S Boylan 1-0, M Cunningham 0-3, E Corrigan 0-2, P Nangle, J Hardman, B Brophy 0-1 each.

Crookedwood: Alan O’Mara; Matthew Ryan, Feichin Óg Brennan, Edward Nally; Simon McCarthy, Damien Grifferty, Ronan Scally; Michael Davitt, Shane McGovern; Adam Bate, Lorcan O’Mara, Anthony McGivney; Sean Brennan, Kevin Orme, Barry O’Mara. Subs: Brian McLoughlin for Nally (35), I McGovern for L O’Mara (43), Noel Yourell for S McGovern (54), Liam de Clár for Orme (56).

Ringtown: Darragh Moran; Desmond Smyth, Niall Moran, Ryan Moore; Paul Nangle, Ciaran Moran, Callum O’Boyle; Owen Harper, Darren Kilcoyne; Emmett Corrigan, Johnny Hardman, Mark Cunningham; Jason Moran, Brian Brophy, Marc Davis. Subs: Sean Boylan for M Davis (24), Conor O’Grady for O’Boyle (46), Kevin Nea for Smyth (55), Dylan Brady for Brophy (58), Christopher Kiernan for J Moran (61).

Referee: Pat Fox (Rosemount).