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Coolderry's Joe Brady celebrates with supporters at the end of today's Offaly SHC final at O'Connor Park, Tullamore. Donall Farmer/INPHO
County final

Late drama in Offaly as Coolderry seal their 30th SHC title

A 22-year wait goes on for St Rynagh’s.

Coolderry 2-15

St Rynagh’s 1-16

A GOAL FROM Joe Brady in the second-last minute of normal time saw Coolderry crowned Offaly senior hurling champions today for the 30th time.

Coolderry trailed St Rynagh’s by two points entering the final moments at O’Connor Park in Tullamore — 1-14 to 1-16 — until Brady found the net in the 59th minute.

With Coolderry leading by the bare minimum, Brian Carroll pointed a free in added time to give his side their first Offaly SHC title since 2011, while a 22-year wait will go on for St Rynagh’s.

Coolderry’s first goal came after just 24 seconds of the game, courtesy of man-of-the-match Kevin Connolly. They led from there until the end of the half. It was 1-9 to 0-7 at the break, with Rynagh’s staying in touch thanks to the free-scoring ability of Stephen Wynne.

Rynagh’s reduced the gap to just two points — 0-13 to 1-12 — midway through the second-half, before they took the lead for the first time in the game thanks to a 47th-minute goal from Ben Conneely.

Kevin Connolly with Joseph O'Connor Coolderry's Kevin Connolly battles for possession with Joseph O'Connor of St Rynagh's. Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

Connolly brought Coolderry back on level terms, but three unanswered points — two from Wynne and one from Conor Hernon — left Rynagh’s in the driving seat with just four minutes left on the clock.

Damian Murray reduced the gap to two; then Joe Brady struck to score Coolderry’s crucial goal and Carroll added a point to seal a dramatic win.

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