It’s so tough to handle Con O’Callaghan.
The Cuala youngster was in top form again in Sunday’s Leinster senior hurling semi-final against St. Martin’s. He scored a first half goal to bring his tally to 5-7 from play in his Championship campaign so far.
The Wexford club got off to a flying start in Parnell Park, scoring the first two points of the game. Their powerful half forward Joe Coleman raised white flags from placed balls.
It wasn’t long before Mattie Kenny’s well-oiled Cuala maching began motoring, however, with their slick attacking outfit proving too hot to handle for the Martin’s defence.
Colm Cronin was getting on so much ball in the half forward line, and David Treacy was pointing from all angles and distances.
Inside, Con O’Callaghan was typically making a nuisance of himself and it wasn’t long before the Piercestown club were forced to move Wexford corner back Willie Devereux on to him.
The Young Footballer of the Year had already made his mark on the game, in a stunning minute of hurling. First of all, he played a pivotal role in setting up Jake Malone for the game’s opening goal.
Less than half a minute later, he raised a green flag of his own after a typically powerful run and finish.
The Wexford men, to their credit, fought back with Jack and Joe O’Connor registering. The loss of their lightening full forward Rory O’Connor, and number one full back through injury certainly didn’t help them, though.
The Dalkey outfit continued where they left off after the break, with Cronin, O’Callaghan and Treacy again shining.
In defence Sean Moran held the centre well while Oisin Gough was as tight as could be on the inside line.
It was all about O’Callaghan, however. He added three more points from play in the second half, bringing his tally to 5-10 in his year of hurling so far.
Surprise, surprise another goal for Con O'Callaghan! @CualaCLG lead @StMartinsGAA 2-07 to 0-8 at HT #TheToughest pic.twitter.com/j6U2U9YCLw
— AIB_GAA (@AIB_GAA) November 19, 2017
He’s also a team player, just like this whole Cuala team. When he was sent through one on one with the Martin’s goalkeeper, he selflessly laid off to teammate Cronin when he could easily have shot himself.
GOAL put on a plate for Colm Cronin by Con O’Callaghan who could really have went for it himself as he was one on one!! 👏🏼#TheToughest #LSHC2017 #Allianz #Gaa ↓↓↓ https://t.co/0pBqWdOPjy
— 𝘿𝙪𝙗𝙈𝙖𝙩𝙘𝙝𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙧 (@DubMatchTracker) November 19, 2017
It all went downhill for Martin’s from there, with two of their players receiving red cards.
O’Callaghan was withdraw to a standing ovation.
Job done for Cuala.
They march onto the final after a 3-17 to 0-15 victory.
As for Martin’s, they can hold their heas high after a fantastic year of success.
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