Stradbally simply sublime - Stradbally 3-18 An Rinn 1-3

 

Stradbally created 31 scoring opportunities last Saturday night. That’s a whopping total in slightly over sixty minutes of fare. They generated 29 in the quarter final.

On another night, Shane Ahearne could have finished with fifteen or sixteen points alongside his name. He settled for twelve, including nine from play. Several assists came from brother Robert as the two dovetailed effortlessly in the central attacking positions. On kickouts, An Rinn got crucified. If Michael Walsh or Paddy Kiely failed to catch the leather cleanly, one of the half forwards (John Coffey, Shane Ahearne or Tommy Connors) soaked it up. Brick again moved to his own beat. He started moves from far flung places like the full back line and he pushed them gently forward.

After a shockwave just seventy seconds in from Bilí Breathnach, Stradbally moved like a well oiled machine. This cold blooded destruction was based around clinical execution, support play and work ethic. They were far too slick in their movement for An Rinn. And when they monopolised midfield, Aonghus Ó hEochaigh didn’t know where to kick it. Led by the Ahearnes, the Stradbally scoring machine continues to purr. 12 goals and 105 points in the space of seven games. That’s around 2-14 per game. The second and third goals came courtesy of careful construction. Tony Grey slalomed through three tackles before placing Robert Ahearne inside and he curled his shot to the corner. A patient build-up set up substitute Luke Casey who trashed the ball in off the crossbar.

An Rinn were hit by an express train. Donie Breathnach succumbed to injury and failed to feature. An Rinn craved his calmness in possession and creativity from centre forward. They needed to field with their strongest fifteen to stand any chance. The positioning of Liam Ó Lonáin at midfield left their ace attacker too far away from the target. Any ground gained was in areas of the field that the Stradbally defence were comfortable with. They were shaken off the ball in the tackle far too easily at times and didn’t show the patience or persistence to chip away at the Red wall. A couple of forward finds will aid their development in 2014.

Any stopping the 8/13 title favourites? They look hungrier than ever even with all the medals making their pockets rather heavy. The sense lingers that they will enter a battle before the Conway Cup is claimed but they are braced for it.