County Hurling League Round 2 Review

By Liam Hogan

Division 1

Drom & Inch 1-15 Thurles Sarsfields 1-18

Patrick McCormack’s penalty save from opposite number Eoin Collins meant Thurles Sarsfields held on to defeat Drom & Inch at The Ragg on Saturday.

Thurles Sarsfields led 1-7 to 0-9 at half time with Robbie Stapleton (1-2) getting the goal. Aidan McCormack was their scorer-in-chief with 0-9 (7 frees) while Pa Bourke added 0-2. Joey Maher was Drom’s goal-scorer. John Campion was their top scorer with 0-6 (4 frees) with Podge Campion adding 0-3.

Borris-Ileigh 1-29 Kilruane MacDonaghs 1-13

Borris-Ileigh made it two wins out of two when easily defeating Kilruane MacDonaghs in Borrisoleigh on Sunday.

The home-side started well with six unanswered points. A missed goal chance energised Kilruane who began to recover as they dominated between the tenth and twentieth minutes before Borris-Ileigh took charge in the lead up to half time which helped them lead 0-15 to 0-8 at the break.

A Jerry Kelly goal (1-2) three minutes into second half enhanced Borris’ lead. Michael Cleary replied with a similar score, three minutes later, but his team struggled to stay in touch as scores by Pa Ryan 0-7 (6 frees), Eddie Ryan 0-6 and Tom Delaney 0-3 (2 frees) made victory possible for the Maroons.

Nenagh Eire Og 0-21 Clonoulty/Rossmore 1-16

Nenagh Éire Óg got a win against Clonoulty/Rossmore at MacDonagh Park on Sunday.

The first couple of minutes were point for point until Nenagh found their groove, shooting seven points in a row, courtesy of the three Heffernan brothers, midfield duo Conor Ryan & Adam Healy and centre forward Sean Phelan. Nenagh went 0-10 to 0-4 in front before a Jack Ryan goal in the 24th minute brought Clonoulty back into contention. Nenagh were quick to reply with Tommy Heffernan and Ben West slotting over a point each before Clonoulty got the final score of the half as Nenagh headed towards the dug out ahead 0-13 to 1-6.

In the second half, Clonoulty, led Donnchadh Quirke, Jack Ryan and Mikey Heffernan were back in contention as Jack Ryan hit three frees in the space of four minutes. Mikey Heffernan’s accuracy added to Nenagh’s tally with Ben West prominent also. The last ten minutes saw Clonoulty score three points with no response, leaving just two points between the sides but Nenagh held out to win.

Roscrea 2-18 Lorrha 2-21

Lorrha earned their first points of the County League after holding off a Roscrea fightback at St Cronan’s Park on Sunday.

The visitors laid the platform for the victory in the first half, when backed by the breeze, they opened up a nine point lead at half time, 2-12 to 0-9. An early Donnacha O’Meara goal gave them the tonic start with the game thereafter being nip and tuck until Lorrha scored a second goal on 27 minutes, O’Meara fouled for a penalty which Colm Fogarty converted.

Fogarty was in superb form, contributing 1-14, 0-5 from play, maintaining their advantage until the 40th minute when a Shane Fletcher goal gave the home side some impetus. Lorrha managed to reassert their control until a 55th minute Luke Cashin goal (1-6) gave Roscrea some hope of getting something from the game and they reduced the arrears to one point but two late points from Lorrha helped them to a three point win with Conor Kennedy and Eoin McIntyre also the fore for the victors while Evan Fitzpatrick and Darragh Tynan were to the fore for the Rossies.

Moycarkey/Borris 3-19 JK Brackens 3-24

JK Brackens came from behind to secure their first win of the league when they defeated Moycarkey/Borris in Littleton on Sunday.

The home-side began best helped by an early goal from Bill Flanagan. Brackens were back on level terms by the sixth minute with a Michael Cahill goal which helped them to a 1-14 to 1-8 lead at the break.

In a frantic second half, Moycarkey got off to a good start when a free was moved forward to the twenty metre line and Kyle Shelly blasted to the net. Midway through the half, some good work by Brackens forced a turnover and they worked the ball to Ciaran O’Shea for a goal.

Thurles CBS stars Jack Hayes and David Costigan were introduced in the 52nd minute, and Costigan pounced to bring Moycarkey within one. However, Brackens came back and six minutes from time a Shane Doyle goal gave them a deserved five-point win.

Toomevara 1-23 Kiladangan 4-14

Three unanswered points in the closing minutes helped Toomevara earn a draw against Kiladangan at St Michael’s Park on Sunday.

Toomevara took up the initiative and after conceding a goal to Dan O’Meara after three minutes they managed to take the lead after six minutes. Then it was Kiladangan’s turn to take up the running as they scored 2-5 without reply with goals coming from Conor Culhane (13th minute) and Mathew Cleary four minutes later to lead 3-5 to 0-5. However, Toome hit back with a spell of 1-4, a goal by Barry O’Connell helped them cut the deficit to one by half time, 3-6 to 1-11.

Toome continued with their run as an Austin Duff point gave them a narrow lead by the 34th minute. However, their lead was short lived as a quick riposte in the shape of a Tadgh Gallagher goal had Kiladangan back in front. The visitors went 4-10 to 1-15 in front before Toome began staging a comeback thanks to points by Mark McCarthy. Time was running out and Kiladangan seemed safe as Paul Flynn (0-3) made it 4-14 to 1-20. But Toome re-grouped and points by Jack Ryan (two) and an equaliser by Kevin McCarthy insured a share of the spoils. McCarthy was top scorer with 0-14 (11 frees). Shane Gleeson scored 0-7 all from frees for Kiladangan.

Upperchurch/Drombane 3-18 CJ Kickhams Mullinahone 2-22

Despite a late fightback, Upperchurch/Drombane came up just short against a high scoring Mullinahone side in Drombane on Sunday.

The visitors played with the wind in the first half and sped into a 1-17 to 1-7 lead at half time. Eoin O’Dwyer, the goal-scorer for Mullinahone. O’Dwyer doubled his green flag account early in the second half but the elements began to tell as Upperchurch fought back at the end and two goals almost helped them claim a win.

Cashel King Cormacs 1-19 Carrick Swan 0-20

In a repeat of last year’s Premier Intermediate decider, Cashel King Cormacs again defeated Carrick Swans at Leahy Park on Sunday.

Cashel did the running in the first half as two Devon Ryan frees gave them a sound start. Swan replied to level matters but a goal by Brian O’Donoghue gave the home-side a lead they never lost and by half time led 1-10 to 0-5.

The Swan came more into the game in the second half but were unable to overturn the deficit as Cashel had marksmen Conor Dwyer, Ross Bonnar and the impressive Devon Ryan on target to ensure back to back wins.

Division 2

Moneygall 0-20 Boherlahan-Dualla 4-16

Boherlahan-Dualla made it two wins from two when they came away with a win from Moneygall on Saturday.

Moneygall took up the initiative as wind-assisted went 0-5 to 0-1 in front. However, two Boherlahan goals in the 14th & 19th minutes and by half time the scores were level at 2-7 to 0-13.

A third goal in the 41st minute put Boherlahan four clear. Despite Adam Hogan’s accuracy 0-13 (11 frees) and Eoghan Doughan (0-4) in his first adult game, Moneygall were unable to close the gap and a fourth goal in injury time wrapped it up for Boherlahan.

Ballina 1-19 Clonakenny 2-16

Ballina remain unbeaten after being held to a draw by Clonakenny in Ballina on Sunday.

The home side dominated the first half with David Kelly (0-2) and Tom Shanahan (0-3) leading the way. Matthew Power also contributed as his tally reached 1-10 (0-8 frees) but Clonakenny began to grow late on and forced stalemate at the end of the hour.

Silvermines 2-17 St Mary’s 2-21

An injury hit Silvermines lost to St. Mary’s in Dolla on Sunday.

Silvermines were very much outplayed by a strong St. Mary's side in the opening half and trailed 2-11 to 0-6 at the break. Second half goals from Sean Nolan and Danny Quinn coupled with points from the stick of free-taker Ronan Cunneen and Pa Leamy served to bring the 'Mines within striking distance late in the game but St. Mary's added a late point to ensure a deserved four point victory.

After their first round win Gortnahoe/Glengoole remain unbeaten when they defeated Burgess 0-16 to 0-13 in Kilcolman on Sunday.

Division 3

Golden Kilfeacle 1-23 Cappawhite 2-17

Golden Kilfeacle got the better of West rivals Cappawhite in Golden on Sunday.

Cappawhite led 1-2 to no score after five minutes with Daire Duggan getting the goal. Jack Leamy opened the Golden account from a free and quickly followed up with a well-worked green flag. The hosts outscored their opponents 0-8 to 0-5 for the rest of the half with Leamy scoring 1-5 of the Golden total, who led 1-10 to 1-7 at the break. Willie Barry had supplied 0-5 of the Cappawhite total.

Golden started the second half brightly and stretched their lead to five by the 40th minute. Another burst from Cappawhite reduced the margin to one with a second Daire Duggan goal in the 50th minute. But it was Golden’s day and they finished on a positive note thanks to Jack Leamy who brought his total to 1-10 (0-7 frees) and Ben Currivan 0-5.

Newport 0-20 Portroe 0-20

Conor Floyd’s equaliser helped Newport secure a share of the points with Portroe at Lacken Park last Sunday.

Portroe led at half time 0-10 to 0-9 with Sam Madden earning the man of the match award with six points to his credit. John Sheedy scored 0-8 (6 frees) while Newport replied with Cillian Collins 0-9 (7 frees) earning them their first league point.

Shannon Rovers 3-20 Knockavilla-D Kickhams 1-14

Shannon Rovers secured their first win by defeating injury hit Knockavilla Kickhams at Ballinderry on Sunday.

The Reds proved too good for the westerners who had centre back David Butler sent off after just two minutes. But despite having the advantage of the extra man, it took Rovers a while to get going. Ben Ryan’s goal followed by Cormac Carr’s point had Knockavilla leading 1-2 to 0-2 after six minutes. Rovers soon settled and Eamon Hough, who produced a man of the match performance with 2-4 from play, scored his first goal in the 15th minute.

Knockavilla, who had eight scorers by half time, including Elliott Thomson, Stephen Browne, and Michael Gleeson as each raised white flags but three minutes from the break, Hough secured his second goal as Rovers led 2-10 to 1-9 at half time.

Now helped by the breeze the home side began to dominate the second half as they increased their lead as Conal Moran, John O’Meara and Andrew Byrne found the target.

Rovers continued to find holes in the Knockavilla defence and when Aaron Hogan had Rovers third major in the 53rd minute there was no way back for Knockavilla.

Borrisokane 5-19 Moyle Rovers 0-15

After their disappointing first round defeat, Borrisokane made amends when they trounced Moyle Rovers at Gardiner Park on Sunday.

Divisions 5 & 6

Kilruane MacDonaghs fell to a narrow home defeat to Lattin Cullen in division 5 while in division 6, Knockshegowna came back with a point from their trip to Rosegreen.