County Hurling League Review

By Liam Hogan

DIVISION 1

Group 1

Nenagh Eire Og 2-18 Drom & Inch 2-24

Drom & Inch secured their second league win with a six-point win over Nenagh Eire Og in Nenagh on Sunday in a game that was in doubt right up to the final whistle.

Nenagh, who were looking for their first win of the campaign, did all the right things and after scores were level four times they moved into another gear when taking a 0-11 to 0-7 lead inside twenty minutes. Cillian Malone (4), Michael Heffernan (2), Conor Hennessy, Aodhan O’Connor, Cian O’Farrell and Paddy Murphy had a share in the scoring.

However, a Paudie Kinane goal in the 23rd minute helped steer Drom back into the frame but a goal by Killian Malone had Nenagh back in charge and three minutes later Jamie Cottrell had their second and by half time it was Nenagh 2-13 Drom 1-12.

Drom hit the ground running in the second half and after two early points, a goal by David Collins had them in front. Michael Heffernan equalised but Drom regained the lead with three unanswered points. Nenagh reduced the margin to two but in remaining seven minutes Drom went for broke with Johnny Ryan 0-9 and David Collins (1-5) finding the target.

Kilruane MacDonaghs 0-19 Toomevara 3-19

An impressive last quarter saw Toomevara make it three wins out of three games after they defeated Kilruane MacDonaghs in Cloughjordan on Sunday.

Adam Hall’s goal in the fifth minute gave Toome an early 1-3 to 0-1 lead but Kilruane recovered to take a 0-10 to 1-5 lead approaching half time before Jack Delaney’s goal sent Toomevara in leading 2-6 to 0-10.

It was nip and tuck in the third quarter. Eoin Hogan edged Kilruane 0-15 to 2-8 in front with sixteen minutes remaining. Kevin McCarthy levelled but after Willie Cleary put Kilruane in front with a free in the 47th minute before Toome moved three clear. Eoin Carroll left two between the teams 2-13 to 0-17 in the 53rd but a minute later Mark McCarthy’s side-line ball went all the way to the net for Toome’s third goal. From there it was one-way traffic as the points followed with Jack Ryan, Robbie Quirke, Adam Hall, and Kevin McCarthy on target to seal the win. Kevin McCarthy scored nine points and Jack Delaney picked up 1-4.

The other group game between Thurles Sarsfields and J K Brackens will be played this coming weekend.

Group 2

Kiladangan 1-24 Moycarkey/Borris 1-17

Kiladangan had to come from behind to claim their second win of the league when they defeated Moycarkey/Borris in Puckane on Saturday.

The home side took an early three-point lead, but Moycarkey fought back to level at 0-6 each after eleven minutes. Kyle Shelly was Moycarkey’s lead scorer and helped Moycarkey take a 0-10 to 0-6 lead on eighteen minutes. The visitors were still in front at half time after Conor Byrne reduced the margin to four, 0-13 to 0-9, and by after Bryan McLoughney 36th minute point the margin was down to one. There was more from the North men who then took the lead after Paul Flynn found the net. Three Billy Seymour frees enhanced Kiladangan’s grip on the game but a Kieran Morris goal in the 54th minute had the margin back to four points, 1-19 to 1-15. Kiladangan went five clear, but Kieran Cummins reduced the margin to four once again.

However, the home side were the masters in the concluding stages and with Billy Seymour on target from frees (0-13 including four from play) they also had plenty to spare for their second win out of three games.

Upperchurch/Drombane 2-18 Borris-Ileigh 2-15

With the help of 2-13 from Paudie Greene, Upperchurch/Drombane had three points to spare over Borris-Ileigh at Drombane last Sunday.

After an even first twenty minutes it was Upperchurch who went four clear approaching half time before goals by Jack Hogan and JD Devaney had the visitors 2-5 to 0-8 in front.

However, Upperchurch didn’t waste time in getting back in the grove after half time when Paudie Greene scored 2-2 in the opening five minutes and by the 50th minute they had opened up a five-point lead, 2-14 to 2-9. However, Borris kept close and had the margin down to three after a point each by Shane McCormack and Shane Kenny with seven minutes remaining. Two Paudie Greene frees eased Upperchurch’s worries. Brendan Maher’s fifth point kept Borris in contact but another Greene free brought the league points to the Black and Amber.

Mullinahone 1-16 Clonoulty/Rossmore 1-21

Clonoulty/Rossmore travelled south and secured their first win when they had five points to spare over Mullinahone on Sunday.

The visitors had 1-1 on the board inside the opening three minutes with Stephen Quinn finding the net. Mullinahone responded with four unanswered points to level after nine minutes. Clonoulty regained the lead, but Mullinahone fought back to take a 0-9 to 1-4 lead by the 23rd minute with Jack Shelly to the fore for the home side and they continued to hold on to the lead for the remainder of the half as the scoreline read 0-11 to 1-7 at the changeover.

On the resumption, Clonoulty regained the lead with three quick points, but Mullinahone regained the lead with an unanswered 1-2 the goal coming from Michael Dunne.

In a game littered with frees, Cathal Bourke scored three for Clonoulty and by the 48th minute Mullinahone led 1-14 to 1-13. Unfortunately, they went fifteen minutes without scoring and Clonoulty took advantage with Michael Ryan (Winnie) introduced and scored three points which enabled his side to take the lead, a lead they held onto for the remainder of the game as Cathal Bourke (0-15) and Ronan Heffernan sealed the win with valuable scores.

DIVISION 2

Group 1

Gortnahoe/Glengoole 0-22 Carrick Swan 1-14

It’s three wins out of three for Gortnahoe/Glengoole following their five-point home win over Carrick Swans on Sunday.

Killenaule went on to claim second place on five points after their 2-22 to 0-14 win over Loughmore/Castleiney.

The Templederry v Portroe will be played this Friday.

Group 2

Eire Og Annacarty 0-21 Holycross/Ballycahill 0-25

Holycross/Ballycahill maintained their one hundred percent success when defeating Eire Og Annacarty in Annacarty on Sunday.

Cashel King Cormacs 0-22 Roscrea 1-23

After their surprising defeat at the hands of Clonakenny in round two, Roscrea got back on the winner’s podium with Jack Lee’s goal in the 45th minute helping them defeat Cashel King Cormacs who were looking for their first win so far.

DIVISI0N 3

Group 1

Lorrha 0-18 Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams 0-16

Lorrha bounced back from their defeat to Ballingarry by getting the better of Knockavilla Kickhams in Tony Reddin Park on Sunday.

The home side started sluggishly but scored the last five points of the first half to give them a two-point half-time lead, 0-11 to 0-9. Darragh Guinan impressed with three points from play from midfield, while Colm Fogarty top scored for the home team with 0-5, including two from placed balls.

Kickhams could have come away with a positive result but for errant shooting in both halves. Stephen Browne scored five of his 0-7 tally from frees, while Paudie Slattery picked off 0-4 from play for the visitors.

Ballina 3-18 St Mary’s 0-17

With the help of three goals Ballina secured their first win of the league thanks to an impressive ten-point win over St Marys in Ballina on Sunday.

George Kealy scored the first goal after five minutes to put Ballina 1-2 to 0-1 in front, but the home side trailed 0-11 to 1-7 at half time. However, they steadied the ship in the second half and goals by Donie Whelan 42nd minute and Brian Hurley a minute later set them up for victory.

Ballingarry 1-17 Sean Treacys 1-11

Ballingarry secured their third win and maintained their one hundred percent return thanks to a six-point win over Sean Treacy’s in Ballingarry on Sunday.

Treacy’s struggled to find their rhythm in this game and couldn’t quite make the comeback that looked inevitable. Special mention to Darragh Carr who scored on 1-1 on his second competitive start.

Group 2

Silvermines 0-16 Borrisokane 2-15

Goals by Mike Heenan and Kevin Cleary helped Borrisokane to their first win of the league thanks to victory over Silvermines in Dolla on Saturday evening.

Orrie Quirke (free) got the Mines off the mark in the second minute, but the visitors hit back with three points on the bounce before a ninth minute goal by Michael Heenan fired Borrisokane 1-3 to 0-1 clear. Silvermines struggled to cope with a physically stronger Borrisokane side in the opening quarter but once they found their rhythm, they narrowed the gap to two points with four unanswered points in a three-minute spell mid-way through the half. Silvermines continued to pick off some fantastic points from tight angles though before a 29th minute goal by Kevin Cleary helped Borrisokane lead 2-8 to 0-12 at the break.

Silvermines did their utmost to reduce the deficit in the opening exchanges of the second half. Gerard Leamy came agonisingly close to a goal, but his effort ricocheted off the crossbar. Borrisokane were the better side in the closing stages though rattling off five points without reply between the 51st & 59th minutes to ensure a hard-fought victory for Seamus Gleeson’s charges.

Skeheenarinky 1-16 Newport 0-19

Newport had to come from behind to salvage a draw with Skeheenarinky in Ballyporeen on Sunday.

The visitors played against a strong breeze in the first half and trailed 0-12 to 0-9 at half time. Newport, with Colin Floyd top scorer 0-7, levelled matters within five minutes of the restart. However, Skeheenarinky found another gear as James Barry goaled in the 40th minute to steer his side 1-13 to 0-13 in front. Newport hit back with four unanswered points as Floyd, Pa Ryan and Jack Delahunty contributed. With the game entering the final seconds, Newport went one in front but Tom Vaughan’s free levelled matters for a share of the spoils.

Moneygall 1-17 Moyne-Templetuohy 0-21

Moneygall came up just short as they hoped to get their league campaign back on track before losing narrowly to Moyne-Templetuohy in Moneygall on Sunday.

The home side got off to a good start with Mark Fanning’s goal giving them an early 1-1 to 0-3 lead. However, the sides were level after thirteen minutes and the home side appeared to have lost their way in the second quarter as Moyne stepped up to take a 0-14 to 1-7 lead at half time.

Moneygall recovered in the third quarter cutting the margin to one by the 52nd minute. Moyne, however, hit two unanswered points over the next four minutes but Moneygall kept nibbling at the Moyne lead but could never get closer.

DIVISION 4

Group 1

Cappawhite 0-13 Kiladangan 3-15

Kiladangan came from behind to defeat Cappawhite in Cappawhite on Sunday.

The winners trailed 0-8 to 0-6 at half time and the home side led by top scorer Dara McCarthy (0-12) continued to hold the lead as his eleventh point had them 0-12 to 0-10 in front before the floodgates opened with Niall Cahalan leading the way with a point followed by an Eoghan Sharkey goal in the 49th minute. Kiladangan continued to press and in the 54th minute Aidan Ryan had goal number two and when Eoghan Sharkey scored his second three minutes later, the points were heading Kiladangan’s way. Shane Gleeson was Kiladangan’s top scorer with 0-12 including three from play.

Moyle Rovers 1-21 Ballinahinch 3-20

Ballinahinch travelled south to Clonmel and did enough to hold out against a spirited Moyle Rovers side last Sunday. The sides were level 2-6 to 0-12 at half time.

Boherlahan-Dualla 2-20 Carrick Davins 0-16

Boherlahan made it three wins out of three in this top of the table clash played at Boherlahan last Sunday. The winners led 0-19 to 0-8 at half time.

Group 2

Golden Kilfeacle 1-9 Upperchurch/Drombane 0-12

Golden Kilfeacle maintained pole position thanks to a share of the points against Upperchurch Drombane in a low scoring clash in Golden on Friday.

The home side played with the breeze in the first half they managed to take a 1-6 to 0-5 lead thanks to a Jack Bergin goal. However, they were unable to maintain the advantage and Upperchurch, who won their opening game, fought back to force a draw, and take second spot on three points.

Shannon Rovers 5-15 Arravale Rovers 0-16

Shannon Rovers took full advantage of home pastures when defeating a weakened Arravale Rovers in Ballinderry on Sunday to record their first win of the campaign.

Having lost their opening game against Golden Kilfeacle, they didn’t hang around for long and first half goals by Austin Tierney (10th), John O’Meara (25th) and Tom Hogan (29th) had them heading to the dressing rooms leading 3-5 to 0-9.

Tom Hogan was the game’s top scorer with 2-7 and with an assist from Sean Belfry, the Rovers sharpshooter had his second goal in the 35th minute, making it 4-8 to 0-11. From there it was pretty much one-way traffic and entering the final minutes Austin Tierney had his second goal in the 55th minute.

Clonoulty/Rossmore 1-18 Ballybacon/Grange 3-20

Ballybacon/Grange travelled to Clonoulty on Sunday and got their campaign back on track with a big win over Clonoulty/Rossmore.

They made the best possible start with Brian Dillon finding the net in the tenth minute to see them 1-5 to 0-3 in front. The winners conceded a goal in the fifteenth minute but continued to hold on to their lead, consolidated with the help of an Oisin Ryan goal which helped them lead 2-14 to 1-9. Ballybacon continued to lead throughout the third quarter and after Gerry Cronin secured his side’s third goal there was no looking back.