Barrow Rangers 2-21; Mooncoin 0-19.
John Power at Danesfort GAA Grounds.
A controlled and highly impressive performance from start to finish enabled Intermediate grade newcomers Barrow Rangers to record a comprehensive victory over fancied Mooncoin at the Danesfort GAA Grounds on Sunday evening last. The Paulstown-based side produced arguably their best display of the season when it mattered most, taking control of this first knockout round encounter from the opening whistle and never allowing Mooncoin to settle into any sustained rhythm.
There had been plenty of expectation surrounding Mooncoin ahead of the game, but they arrived carrying the added burden of a bereavement which had affected members of the panel. On the day, they simply could not match the intensity, work-rate and determination of a Barrow Rangers side that looked hungry for success.
Barrow Rangers got off to the perfect start, registering three early points through Keith Flavin, Gary Hill and Billy Hanlon. Mooncoin responded with a fourth-minute point from the lively Killian Hogan, but the reply was immediate as Joe Healy converted a free for the Paulstown side.
Hogan added another for Mooncoin, but Barrow Rangers continued to find gaps in the Mooncoin defence and points from Kieran O’Neill and Patrick Purcell stretched their advantage to 0-6 to 0-2. Hogan, from a free, reduced the deficit with his third score in the 12th minute, but the response from Barrow Rangers was emphatic. Over the following five minutes they hit four unanswered points, with Joe Healy contributing two, while Killian Rudkins and Jack Kelly also found the target.
At this stage Barrow Rangers were dictating the pace of the contest and Mooncoin were struggling to contain their opponents’ movement and attacking threat. Mooncoin did manage to stem the tide as the game approached the 20-minute mark. Cormac Kinsella, Paul Hennebry and Martin O’Neill all registered points to bring the score back to 0-10 to 0-6. However, just when Mooncoin appeared to be building some momentum, Barrow Rangers struck for the game’s opening goal.
A poor Mooncoin puck-out was punished and Joe Healy finished clinically to the net, giving the Paulstown side a major boost. Healy then added a pointed free as Barrow Rangers once again began to pull away.
Mooncoin responded with their best spell of the opening half, registering four unanswered points over the next six minutes as they attempted to get themselves back into contention. But Barrow Rangers were not prepared to surrender their advantage. Their second goal arrived shortly afterwards, with Billy Hanlon finding the net to put further daylight between the sides. Killian Rudkins then added a pointed free and, by half-time, Barrow Rangers had established a commanding 2-12 to 0-10 lead.
Mooncoin needed a strong start to the second half if they were to have any realistic chance of producing a comeback. Instead, it was Barrow Rangers who resumed in determined fashion. The Paulstown men completely dominated the opening stages of the second half, outscoring Mooncoin by 0-5 to 0-1 by the 39th minute. Their hurling was composed and direct, while their ability to win possession around the middle third of the field ensured Mooncoin were unable to build the platform required for a sustained revival.
With 12 minutes of normal time remaining, Billy Hanlon added another Barrow Rangers point to leave the scoreboard reading 2-20 to 0-14. At that stage, Mooncoin faced a mountain to climb. To their credit, they never stopped battling. They continued to press forward and scored five points to Barrow Rangers’ one during the closing stages. There was also a determined attempt to find the goal that might have provided them with a lifeline.
But the Barrow Rangers full-back line stood firm. Hooking and blocking were a feature of their defensive display throughout the game and, when Mooncoin did manage to create openings, the Paulstown defenders were equal to the challenge. They defended collectively, covered intelligently and refused to allow their opponents the clear goal chance they desperately needed.
Indeed, the outstanding feature of the Barrow Rangers display was the contribution of every member of the team. This was not a day when one individual could be singled out as the difference between the sides. From goalkeeper Richie Doyle right through to Shane McDonnell at number 15, Barrow Rangers produced a genuine team performance. Every player appeared to understand his role and, more importantly, was prepared to work for his teammate.
For a side new to the Intermediate grade, the composure shown in a knockout championship game was particularly impressive. They never appeared overawed by Mooncoin’s reputation and, once they established an early lead, they played with increasing confidence.
Mooncoin, meanwhile, will be disappointed with the outcome and, more importantly, with a performance that never reached the levels they would have expected. There was plenty of character shown during the closing quarter and they continued to battle right to the final whistle. However, by then the deficit was simply too large and Barrow Rangers had already done the damage.
The Paulstown men now face an even sterner examination, having been drawn against last year’s beaten finalists James Stephens in the quarter final. That will provide a major test of their credentials, but if Barrow Rangers can reproduce the same level of intensity, discipline and teamwork displayed against Mooncoin, they will certainly enter that encounter with confidence.
For now, however, they can savour an outstanding knockout-round victory – one which underlined that these new boys to Intermediate hurling are not simply here to make up the numbers.
SCORERS
BARROW RANGERS: Joe Healy (1-6, 0-5 frees), Billy Hanlon (1-3), Jack Kelly (0-4), Killian Rudkins (0-2), Keith Flavin, Gary Hill, Kieran O’Neill, Patrick Purcell, Mikey Doyle, Shane McDonald (0-1 each).
MOONCOIN
Killian Hogan (0-8, 0-3 frees), Martin O’Neill (0-3), Paul Hennebry (0-2), Robbie Doherty (0-2, 0-1 frees), Liam Hogan (0-2, 0-1 frees), Cormac Kinsella, Adam Croke (0-1 each).
TEAMS
BARROW RANGERS: Richie Doyle, Paul Delaney, Martin Drea, Kevin Brennan, Cillian Rudkins, Kieran O’Neill, Patrick Purcell, Jack Kelly, Marc Drennan (C), Kevin Flavin, Billy Hanion, Mikey Doyle, Joe Healy, Gary Hill, Shane McDonald. Substitutes: Brian Kelly for Gary Hill, Cathal Purcell for Kieran O’Neill (blood sub), James Hogan for Patrick Purcell.
MOONCOIN: Donnacha Hogan, Ryan Carroll, Cormac Daly, Ben O’Hanion, Aidan Doyle, Liam Hogan, Cormac Kinsella, Mark Kearns, Killian Hogan, Paul Henebery, Jim Delahunty, Robbie Doherty, Martin O’Neill, Billy Delahunty, Adam Croke. Substitutes: Aidan Carroll for Martin O’Neill, James O’Keeffe.
Referee: John Kennedy (Shamrocks Ballyhale).
