Two from two for Anne’s

ST. ANNE’S made it two wins from two in Division 4A of the Greenstar Under-20 hurling championship as they got the better of a resilient Forth and Bargy Gaels in Rathangan on Wednesday.

After opening up a lead of 1-4 to 0-1 after the first quarter, they were able to keep the visitors at arm’s length, despite some impressive scoring on the part of the St. Fintan’s/Our Lady’s Island/St. Mary’s (Rosslare) crew.

Dylan O’Brien’s goal was the main contributor to the Anne’s early advantage, working the ball over the line after Kyle Kennedy’s initial shot was saved.

Further Philip Rawson, Paddy White and Páraic Reville minors extended the lead before the roles in Rathangan’s opener were reversed and O’Brien’s work set up Kennedy to raise the green flag.

Forth and Bargy had only scored 1-3 of their final tally by half-time. Their main moment came from an intelligent Rees Broaders pass which Cian Meyler finished into the net.

St. Anne’s matched their first-half tally exactly in the second period and it was always likely to be enough to secure the win, despite the Gaels’ best efforts.

A powerful Rawson run from midfield resulted in Rathangan’s third major, moments after Broaders had cut the deficit by finishing to the left side of the goal.

Forth and Bargy racked up a series of minors afterwards, the majority coming from Broaders and David Pettit, but some time during this flurry of singles they badly needed someone to stick one or two beneath the crossbar.

When they did eventually raise their third green flag in the 61st minute, courtesy of a Philip Foley ground stroke, it was too late, as St. Anne’s had already added their fourth goal through Kennedy.

This, as well as a number of O’Brien, Kennedy, Rawson and Reville points, kept their tally ticking over and always just out of reach of the plucky Forth and Bargy Gaels.

St. Anne’s: Dylan Kavanagh; Vincent Carroll, Andrew Walsh, Kevin Redmond; Criostóir Reville (0-2), Brian Kavanagh, Michael Carroll; Páraic Reville (0-1), Phillip Rawson (1-3); Conor Ryan, Andy Kennedy (0-2), Adam Moore; Paddy White (0-1), Dylan O’Brien (1-5, 0-2 ‘65s, 0-1 free), Kyle Kennedy (2-2). Subs. - Eric Molyneux for Moore (10), Seán Staples for Molyneux (45).

Forth and Bargy Gaels: Eoin O’Callaghan; Shane Kehoe, Edmund Cleary, Ben Hayes; Dean Corish, Philip Lambert (0-1), Robert Cloney; Cian Meyler (1-1), Rees Broaders (1-2); Adam Devereux, Cathal Devereux, Philip Foley (1-1); David Pettit (0-6, 5 frees), Jason Ellard (0-1), Kevin Power. Sub. - Paul Cummins (0-1) for C. Devereux (30).

Referee: Niall McDonald (Crossabeg-Ballymurn).