Roscrea blitzed by slick Moycarkey

GAA: FBD Insurance County Senior Hurlin Championship Group 2 Round 1

Moycarkey/Borris 3-24

Roscrea 4-12

Moycarkey/Borris produced a fantastic opening half full of skill and accurate striking which they kept going in the second half to ensure they secured a valuable win over Roscrea in this County Senior Hurling Championship Group 2 game in Templemore on Saturday evening.

Despite the absence of Kieran Morris and Joe Egan from the starting team, the Mid runners-up immediately got going by creating chances and keeping the scorekeeper busy with Jack Hayes, Max Hackett, and player of the match Kyle Shelly in top form.

Three first-half goals with Shelly striking two and another bullet from the talented Hackett, fired to the left of Daryl Ryan in the Roscrea goal, ensured there was no way back in the second half for the North men.

After just seven minutes, Moycarkey raced into a 1-7 to 0-1 lead before Conor Sheedy got Roscrea’s second point from play, however, there was no mercy from Moycarkey who struck a second goal on eleven minutes to lead 2-9 to 0-2.

The onslaught continued with the third goal on two minutes later pushing Moycarkey 3-9 to 0-2 clear as they kept going tagging on three further points without reply.

Eoghan Hayes was having a stormer at centre back, Jack Fallon and Joe Maher were winning a serious amount of ball and Kyle Shelly was lethal in the forwards.

The running of Max Hackett and Jack Hayes meant that Roscrea couldn't find any rhythm and were under constant pressure.

In defence, Stephen Walsh, Peter Melbourne, and Tom Ryan used the ball cleverly setting up fast attacks on the dry sod which suited the mobile team.

Alan Tynan tried to rally Roscrea, and Luke Cashin too, and they found the net finally after some good work by the forwards earned them a penalty which goalkeeper Daryl Ryan blasted to the right of Rhys Shelly on nineteen minutes.

From the puckout though, Moycarkey took the bounce out of the Northerners revival as they went down the field and struck another point. Owen Tynan and Glen Loughnane points before the break brought Roscrea a little closer but Moycarkey were in total control leading 3-16 to 1-6.

The second half was a more even encounter with a highlight being a full length diving save from Rhys Shelly late on.

In the half, Moycarkey hit 0-9 while Roscrea struck 3-6, however, the intensity dropped significantly as the half wore on and thoughts for many were on the next game.

The gap on the scoreboard meant that when Roscrea finished off a trio of late goals from Evan Fitzpatrick, substitute Sam Dooley and a late consolation strike from Alan Tynan there still wasn't room for a revival.

Overall, Moycarkey/Borris looked sharp and skilful with coaches Brian Moran and Niall Corcoran having the side well-prepared for the championship. Afterward Moran admitted the Mid final loss to Loughmore "had stung them" adding that "the response was excellent".

If they can maintain this form for the championship they could go far. The balance looks good to the team with the tone set from Rhys Shelly right up to his brother Kyle who was excellent on frees and in open play.

The backs used the ball intelligently while the midfielders were accurate with their ball toward the full forward line and in Max Hackett they have a player who has the potential to take the tournament by the scruff of the neck.

They still have plenty to work on with concentration levels dropping late on - and the concession of late goals - a cause for concern as well as some wides which on another day, against more efficient opponents, would need to be converted but overall, it was a quality Moycarkey/Borris performance so there is plenty to build on.

Moycarkey will play Thurles Sarsfields in round 2 while Roscrea have to bounce back to play Mullinahone.

Player of the Match: Kyle Skelly (Moycarkey/Borris)

Moycarkey/Borris: Rhys Shelly (0-2, 1f, 8); Stephen Walsh (7), Peter Melbourne (7), Tom Ryan (7); Tom Hayes (6), Eoghan Hayes (7), Pat Molloy (0-1, 7); Kieran Cummins (0-1, 7), Jack Fallon (0-2, 8); Chris McCullagh (7), Max Hackett (1-4, 9), Joe Maher (0-2, 7); Jack Hayes (0-3, 8), Bill Flanagan (0-1, 6), Kyle Shelly (2-9, 0-7f, 9).

Subs used: Rory Ryan (6); David Costigan (6); Niall Heffernan (6).

Roscrea: Daryl Ryan (1-0 pen, 7); Glen Loughnane (0-1, 6), Shane Davis (6), Luke Seacy (6); Dan Ryan (7), Darragh Tynan (6), Darren O'Connor (6); Luke Cashin (0-3, 2f, 7), Owen Tynan (0-1, 6); Alan Tynan (1-1, 7), Conor Booth (0-1, 6), Evan Fitzpatrick (1-1, 7); Conor Sheedy (0-1, 7), Conor Dooley (6), Kenny Lee (0-2f, 6).

Subs used: Sam Dooley (1-1, 7), Leigh Loughnane (6).

Referee: Sean Everard (Moyne-Templetuohy).