Oranmore Maree retain SHC status with win over Cappataggle

AFTER wayward shooting from both sides prevented any major lead being built for the first 45 minutes, two of Ryan O’Donnell’s three goals arrived in the final quarter to put the game to bed as Oranmore Marre defeated Cappataggle 4-19 to 2-17 last Sunday in Gort.

Oranmore-Maree can breathe a sigh of relief and are now set to enter a ninth consecutive year in senior ranks in 2027. Navigating a group containing St. Thomas’, Sarsfields and Castlegar was no easy task without talisman Rory Burke, but Brian O’Connell’s charges had plenty in reserve by the end of this relegation semi-final, even leading by twelve with five minutes of normal time remaining.

Colm and Niall Burke were accurate for Oranmore-Maree early on, before Anthony Keady, making amends for three earlier missed chances, found the net after nine minutes for the 2018 Intermediate champions.

Cappataggle free-taker Liam Collins recorded four early points for his side, before Galway U20 captain Donnacha Campbell closed the gap to just one. Jarlath Mannion opened up the Oranmore-Maree defence before setting up Ronan Garvey for a goal, as Cappataggle led 1-5 to 1-3 after 17 minutes.

Ronan Hanniffy and Keady added scores for Oranmore-Maree, however a brace of points from the in-form Mannion, as well as efforts by Oran Finn and Collins from a free, extended Cappataggle’s lead to four.

Oranmore-Maree hit a purple patch as Conor Butler, Niall Burke from a free and O’Donnell struck consecutive points. Though Campbell cushioned Cappataggle’s lead, O’Donnell rifled home his first goal to reverse the lead and give Oranmore-Maree huge impetus heading into the second half. Hanniffy added a point as Oranmore-Maree led 2-9 to 1-10 at the break.

The second half began in stop-start fashion, as Cappataggle also struggled to regain their earlier rhythm in attack. Daniel Nevin’s score from an indirect free was ruled out, while Oran Finn also failed to convert from close range as a second goal eluded Cappataggle.

Though Collins converted a free for the 2024 SHC runners-up, points from O’Donnell, Burke from a free and Keady extended Oranmore-Maree’s lead. Michael Garvey, who registered 4-4 in the group stages for Cappataggle, pointed from play to reduce the deficit to three.

Further goals for O’Donnell arrived on the 45th and 55th minutes, sealing the contest. Both were assisted by substitute Ruben Davitt, as Oranmore-Maree’s attack proved too much for Cappataggle to contain in the final quarter.

Burke and O’Donnell added to their tallies, while Davitt and Aaron Doyle also chipped in. With the score reading 4-18 to 1-15 after 55 minutes, the contest was long since decided.

Cappataggle remained over-reliant on Collins for scores, and though Mannion added another score from play and Campbell a late consolation goal, they could not find a way back into the contest.

Cappataggle must now regroup quickly ahead of a relegation battle with Moycullen in two weeks’ time, with senior status for the 2014 Intermediate champions in 2027 on the line.

ORANMORE-MAREE: J Grealish; G Carr, P Burke, T Blake; R Malone (captain), G McInerney, C Sweeney; C Butler (0-1), C Burke (0-2); A Keady (1-2), A Doyle (0-1), D Hanniffy; R O’Donnell (3-3), N Burke (0-7, 0-4 frees), R Hanniffy (0-2). Subs: R Davitt (0-1) for D. Hanniffy (halftime); J Keady for R Hanniffy (46); N Geoghegan for Doyle (54).

CAPPATAGGLE: M Egan; D Cronin, J Garvey, C Delaney; D Dolan, D Campbell (1-2), D Malone; J Smyth, Oisín Finn; D Nevin, Oran Finn (0-1), M Garvey (0-1); L Collins (0-10, 0-8 frees), R Garvey (1-0), J Mannion (0-3). Subs: J Egan for Smyth (51); M Smyth for Cronin (57).

REFEREE: John Keane.