THE NATIONALIST
Saturday 12th April 2003

Last gasp O'Connor winner puts Scoil Ruáin into final

All-Ireland Vocational School Semi-final

Scoil Ruain, Killenaule 2-8, Causeway, Kerry 1-10

• In a thrilling finish to the All-Ireland Vocational Schools' Senior Hurling semi-final, Scoil Ruáin scored a dramatic point in injury time to seal victory over a gallant Causeway Comprehensive School in a most entertaining game in Feenagh on Saturday 5th April, much to the delight and relief of their supporters.
  
  Centre-forward Michael O'Connor was the toast of Killenaule after grabbing the vital score from play right at the death when it seemed that the tie would end in stalemate and extra time would be required.
  
  The South Tipperary school will be mightily relieved to have come through this test as they never really played to their full potential over the hour, despite scoring two goals in the space of a minute midway through the second half in a game in which they played catch-up for long periods.
  
  It was Causeway Comprehensive who settled first and dictated the pace for the entire first half as the Killenaule boys seemed very nervous and tentative in their play. With Declan McCarthy and Barry O'Grady in particular dominant at midfield, Causeway gave the Scoil Ruáin defence a torrid time in the opening period and were first to the ball in key areas of the field.
  
  Causeway raced to a 0-6 to 0-1 lead inside the opening quarter with points from Ray Galvin (0-3), Michael Bowler and Gerry O'Grady and it seemed that Scoil Ruáin were in for a drubbing. To make matters worse, they lost centre-back Niall Teehan in the twentieth minute with a hip injury following a tackle on a Causeway player.
  
  Midfielder Michael Heffernan was drafted to the pivotal defensive position, Michael O'Connor came to centre field, Keith Holohan to centre forward and Shane Long to full forward. William Coleman, who would have a major influence on proceedings later, came on at corner forward. Only then did the Scoil Ruáin boys settle and begin to come to grips with the game.
  
  To compound matters for Scoil Ruáin, they let several good scoring chances go abegging in the first half and the tally of eight wides to two for the Kerry team tells its own story. Having struggled in so many areas. Scoil Ruáin were lucky to be going in at the break only four points in arrears, 0-6 to 0-2. Whatever was said in the Scoil Ruáin dressing-room at the interval seemed to have the desired effect, the side in much more purposeful mood on the resumption. Causeway continued to apply the pressure and were six points ahead after five minutes. Enter William Coleman. The first half substitute rounded his man and headed for goal, his shot beating Kelleher in the Causeway goal via an upright.
  
  This was just the tonic the lethargic Tipp boys needed and a minute later John Coleman emulated his brother by crashing to the net after collecting a long clearance from Michael Heffernan. Scoil Ruáin were now in the driving seat and had a sustained period of attack which, unfortunately, yielded only three points. Other opportunities to put the game beyond Causeways reach were not availed of as the Killenaule lads sought goals when points would have been a more judicious option.
  
  To their credit, Causeway never wilted when the pressure came on and fought back valiantly. A tricky situation in the Scoil Ruáin goalmouth was averted by a good interception by goalkeeper Gerry Kennedy who received a nasty facial injury when attempting to clear. Causeway were rather fortunate to be awarded a 65 in the circumstances and were doubly fortunate when wing-forward Ger Lovett doubled on the incoming ball to glide it into the roof of the net. With five minutes remaining the sides were deadlocked, 2-6 to 1-9 and set up a hectic finish.
  
  Causeway edged in front with a point from Michael Bowler and it looked ominous for Scoil Ruáin. Keith Holohan, however, kept his nerve to slot over a pressure free from 55 metres and O'Connor became the hero with his last gasp winner from the left.
  
  As a game, the standard was mediocre at times, with Scoil Ruáin showing only brief passages of their most fluent hurling. Causeway had some very talented individuals in their side but lacked the finesse in scoring which could have made all the difference in this closest of contests. Indeed, had the Kerry side a substitute of the quality of Coleman to bring in, it may have been a different result.
  
  Best for Scoil Ruáin were Jonathan O'Dwyer, Mark McCormack and Kevin Kenny in defence, while Michael Heffernan made a vast contribution to this sector when moved there. Killenaule improved significantly at midfield in the second half, letting the ball go much more directly than in the first. In attack, Shane Long won an amount of possession and always looked dangerous. Keith Holohan battled hard when moved to centre-forward and the Coleman brothers took their scores well.
  
  For Causeway, Barry O'Grady. Declan McCarthy, Ger Lovett, Michael Bowler and Ray Galvin did best in an effort which fell just short of success. Scoil Ruáin will be the first to admit that this sluggish performance will not suffice in the final against Loughrea on Easter Sunday. There is character and determination in abundance in the side but the quality of their play will worry their mentors. They will hope that their injuries heal quickly as a full selection will he essential against the defending champions.
  
  Scorer for Scoil Ruáin: K. Holohan 0-4 (Frees): W. Coleman 1-1; J. Coleman 1-0; S. Long 0-2; M. O'Connor 0-1.
  
  Causeway: R. Galvin 0-6 (0-4 frees); G. Lovett 1-0; M. Bowler 0-2; G. O'Grady and D. Walsh 0-I each.
  
  Scoil Ruáin: Gerry Kennedy (Killenaule), Jonathan O'Dwyer (do), Mark McCormack (St. Patrick's), Edward Stokes (Gortnahoe-Glengoole), Kevin Kenny (do). Niall Teehan (do). David Maguire (Killenaule), Michael Heffernan (Gortnahoe-Glengoole), Jamie McCormack (Fethard), Mark O'Brien (Mullinahone), Michael O'Connor (Killenaule), John Coleman (Gortnahoe-Glengoole), Shane Long (do). Keith Holohan (do), John Holohan (Ballingarry). Subs: William Coleman (Gortnahoe-Glengoole) for Niall Teehan: Sean Cahill (Ballingarry) for Mark O'Brien.
  
  Causeway: S. Kelleher, J.M. Pierce, T. Murnane, M. Quitter, P. Bowler, K. Leahy, D. McCarthy, B. O'Grady, O. Lovett, D. Walsh. G. O'Grady, M. Bowler, R. Galvin. D. O'Connor. M. Boyle. Subs: J. Houlihan for O'Connor: D. O'Connor for Boyle.