Ballymurn bag six goals
CROSSABEG-BALLYMURN 6-18 BALLYHOGUE 0-10
CROSSABEG-BALLYMURN hit Ballyhogue for six goals as they romped to a convincing victory in Division 4A of the Greenstar Under-20 hurling championship in Ballymurn on Wednesday.
Four of those majors came in the first period, helping the Wexford District side to a 4-9 to 0-6 half-time advantage, and there was never going to be a way back for the visitors after the turnaround.
The sides appeared to be evenly matched for the opening quarter, with Mark Byrne (two), Ronan Devereux, Luke Redmond and Peter O’Leary pointing for the hosts and Conor Rossiter, Enda Minogue, Liam Rossiter and Colm Parnell replying for Ballyhogue, but then the first goal came to well and truly open the floodgates.
Mark Redmond’s effort at the posts fell short and Ballyhogue goalkeeper Chris Byrne allowed the ball to slip through his fingertips and nestle in the back of the net to give Crossabeg-Ballymurn a 1-5 to 0-4 advantage.
The second goal came just two minutes later and was again of a fortuitous nature, with Luke Redmond’s attempt at a point from distance finding its way over the line.
The green flag was waving for a third time with 23 minutes on the clock and this time it was a more well-worked effort, with the impressive Mark Byrne playing in James White who made no mistake.
The luckless goalkeeper was again picking the ball out of the net two minutes before the break and it was a carbon copy of the opening two goals, with Luke Redmond’s effort falling short and dropping into the back of the net.
Crossabeg-Ballymurn continued to dominate proceedings after the interval, with captain Ronan Devereux knocking over a couple of nice points early in the half, and they grabbed a fifth goal in the 47th minute.
Luke Redmond’s effort was blocked by netminder Chris Byrne, but substitute Tony Laffan was on hand to bat the ball past him from close range.
Crossabeg-Ballymurn still had time to add one more goal to their handsome tally, with Redmond again doing the needful, with his first-time pull from 30 yards hitting the back of the net to put a further gloss on the scoreline.
Crossabeg-Ballymurn: Cathal Byrne; Michael Whelan, Robert Murphy, Stephen Cullen; Seán Reck (0-1), Ronan Devereux (capt., 0-4), Lorcan Murphy; James White (1-0), Alex Sludds (0-2); Evan Kinlough (0-1), Luke Redmond (3-2), Mark Byrne (1-5, 0-2 frees, 0-2 ‘65s); Lorcan Lacey (0-1), Lorcan Cummins (0-1), Peter O’Leary (0-1). Sub. - Tony Laffan (1-0) for White (24).
Ballyhogue: Chris Byrne; Ronan Byrne, Cian Rochford, Ian Donohoe; Darragh Byrne, Shane Fenlon (0-1 free), Edward Byrne; Colm Parnell (0-1), Enda Minogue (0-3); Tadgh Malone, Liam Rossiter (capt., 0-4, 3 frees), Darragh Rochford; Eoin Sullivan, Dean Doyle, Conor Rossiter (0-1).
Referee: Aidan Foley (Shelmaliers).