Treacys miss out as Newport head into relegation battle

GAA: FBD Insurance Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship Group 1

Sean Treacys 1-22

Newport 4-11

Report: Michael Dundon at FBD Semple Stadium

Three goals in the last ten minutes were not enough to save Newport whose defeat by neighbours Sean Treacy’s in this County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship, clash on Saturday lands them in the relegation play-offs for the second year in a row.

Both sides had everything to play for, but it was Treacys who showed the greater urgency in their game as for fifty minutes they dominated their rivals to an extent nobody expected.

In Patrick Carey, Treacys had a match-winner whose accuracy from placed balls was really impressive and he led the way with eight points, one from play, as they established a 0-14 to 1-5 lead by half-time.

Newport were struggling to gain a foothold. Even Darragh Carroll’s fifth minute goal off Colin Floyd’s pass, which left them 1-0 to 0-4 adrift, was not enough to mobilise them and though Treacys were only six points ahead at the break, they were by far the better team.

Newport’s concern was reflected in the introduction for former county defender Conor O’Mahoney at half-time in a bid to bolster their attack, but it made little difference as the sides each shot four points in the third quarter.

In the 49th minute, Treacys struck what looked a decisive blow when Patrick Carey’s free was deflected into the net and he immediately added a point for a 1-19 to1-9 lead and a winning margin that would have secured a quarter-final spot for them.

Things took a dramatic change then. Firstly, Darragh Carroll netted for Newport in the 52nd minute; Patrick Carey countered for Treacys, but in the 56th minute Carroll buried a penalty for Newport when Colin Floyd was fouled to cut the deficit to five points (1-20 to 3-9).

And it didn’t stop there. After Patrick Carey again pointed for Treacys, Aidan Moloney punished poor Treacys defending with Newport’s fourth goal in the 58th minute, to leave just a goal in it 1-21 to 4-9.

Carey steadied Treacys with a pointed free to which Conor O’Mahoney replied for Newport in the 62nd minute.

Time was very much against Newport now, but Peter O’Sullivan had one last effort for them which sailed over the bar.

Though victorious, there was disappointment in the Sean Treacys camp that the quarter final spot which looked to be theirs so close to the finish had eluded them as they missed out to Burgess to second place on score difference.

Perhaps they became over-confident and relaxed their concentration, or perhaps their earlier exertions were taking their toll, but, while deserving winners, their year is over. The challenge for them is to build on this campaign for the future and they surely have the talent available to do so.

Patrick Carey’s accuracy from frees is a huge asset while such as Jodie Ryan, Andy O’Brien, Seanie Ryan, Pat Deegan, Darragh Kennedy, Stevie Carr, and Paul Nolan all contributed handsomely to their win.

Newport have to be frustrated at their performance. Cleary there is more in this team than was seen and when they did get moving, they looked a formidable side.

They paid dearly for their sluggish first half but will take encouragement at how they finished the game as they face into the relegation play-offs.

Conor, Odhran, Colin & Keelan Floyd all did well for them. Darragh Carroll was their main attacking threat while Robert Houlihan was another to give it everything.

Player of the Match: Patrick Carey (Sean Treacys)

Sean Treacys: Eoin Dunphy (6); Paul Nolan (6), Sean Hickey (6), Emmet Ryan (6); Stevie Carr (7), Tom Hickey (6), Brian Carey (6); Seanie Ryan (0-3, 7), Andy O’Brien (7); Pat Deegan (0-1, 6), Matt Feehan (6), Mike Feehan (0-2, 6); Patrick Carey (1-12, 0-10f) 9), Jodie Ryan (0-2, 7), Darragh Kennedy (0-2, 7).

Subs: Sean Fahey (6) for Matt Feehan (42); Donncha O’Brien (NR) for Carr (60+2).

Newport: Paul Hogan (6); Conor Hickey (6), Robert Houlihan (7), Jordan Young (6); Cian Flanagan (6), Conor Floyd (7), Odhran Floyd (7); Aidan Ryan (6) Keelan Floyd (0-2, 7); Daniel Carew (6), Darragh Carroll (3-7, 1-6f) 7), Oran Connor (6); Thomas Floyd (6), Colin Floyd (7), Pa Ryan (6).

Subs: Conor O’Mahoney (0-1, 6) for A Ryan (HT); Aidan Moloney (1-0, 6) for P Ryan (38); Peter O’Sullivan (0-1, 6) for Carew (44); Diarmuid O’Riordan for Connors (50).

Referee: John Lillis (Drom & Inch)