Fethard have happy knack of scoring goals

ST. MOGUE’S (FETHARD) 3-11 RATHGAROGUE-CUSHINSTOWN 0-16

WILY FETHARD showed all their experience as they turned opposition defensive lapses into goals that helped them to a deserved four-point victory over a battling Rathgarogue-Cushinstown in this exciting The Courtyard Ferns Intermediate hurling championship Group A game in Taghmon on Sunday.

It may not have been as fluent as one would have expected, but Fethard battled their way through a teak-tough challenge from their opponents. And their ability to avail of the three goal chances that came their way separated the sides in the end.

Little divided the teams through the opening exchanges, with Matthew Cody and Mark Wallace (free) exchanging early points.

The sides continued to trade points through Mikie Dwyer and Eoin Porter, and they were still deadlocked at 0-4 each when the game’s opening goal arrived in the 17th minute.

Mark Wallace struck a sideline cut into the danger zone, and Mikie Dwyer was alert to the breaking ball and sent an unstoppable first-time ground stroke to the net.

While Rathgarogue-Cushinstown battled back with two Ollie Bolger pointed frees, disaster struck in the 26th minute.

After battling their way back into a 0-8 to 1-4 lead, ‘keeper Nicky Sinnott had a sudden rush of blood. Having emerged far from goal with possession of the ball, his handpass was intercepted by Darren Foley who had all the time to shoot to an empty net, a score that helped his side to an eventual 2-6 to 0-9 interval lead.

Points from Mark Wallace (two, one free) and Mikie Dwyer extended their side’s lead within nine minutes of the re-start, leaving their opponents with a lot to do.Credit to Rathgarogue-Cushinstown as they pinned the Leinster Junior club champions back on defence for a period, bringing points from Jason Dunne and Matthew Cody, but Fethard still led by 2-10 to 0-12 when Edmund Power found the net from close in ten minutes from the end to secure victory.

Fethard: Seán Foley; Martin Power, Jesse Foley, Daniel Mullan; Joe Sutton, Kevin Rowe, Richard Waters; Garrett Foley (0-2), John Tubritt (0-1); Graham O’Grady, Mark Wallace (0-5, 4 frees), Mikie Dwyer (1-2); Ciarán Dwyer, Darren Foley (1-0), Edmund Power (1-1).

Rathgarogue-Cushinstown: Nicky Sinnott; Peadar Cody, Paudie McGrath, Ricky McGrath; Jason Dunne (0-2), Danny Martin-Carroll, Bryan Cody; Matthew Cody (0-4), Tadhg Cody; Ollie Bolger (0-5 frees), Brian O’Neill (0-2), Bernard Furlong (0-2); Christopher Kent, Eoin Porter (0-1), Patrick Murphy. Sub. - Daire Bolger for Kent.

Referee: Damien Donovan (Volunteers).