Stafford on a scoring spree
Martin’s in a different class
ST. MARTIN’S 4-27 D’TOWN-C’CUDDY 1-13
THERE WAS no room for sentiment in Killurin on Saturday when the son of a former Davidstown-Courtnacuddy stalwart led the charge as St. Martin’s romped to a runaway 23-point win in this one-sided Permanent TSB Junior hurling championship Group B mis-match.
John Stafford gave dedicated service to the Enniscorthy District club over many years, but on this occasion the main man was Seán, the victors’ captain, who finished with a magnificent 2-16 to his name.
The grand total of 2-6 of that haul came from play, and he had 1-2 on the board before Davidstown-Courtnacuddy realised the game had started.
The goal was flicked home from a long delivery in the third minute, and it set the tone for a half of total Martin’s dominance as they established a runaway 3-16 to 0-4 interval lead.
Stafford contributed 2-10, including 2-5 from play, with his second goal coming in the 23rd minute after Kyle Firman had finished superbly earlier with a clever flick to the corner of the net at the end of a solo run down the middle.
The touch, pace and movement of St. Martin’s was simply too much for Davidstown-Courtnacuddy to deal with.
Their impressive brand of hurling wouldn’t have looked out of place two grades higher, and they must be rated strong favourites for the county title if they don’t lose any more players to their Senior team.
The losers may take a small bit of consolation from the fact that they were at least competitive in the second-half, with James Kelly, David Dunne and Johnny Delaney contributing some good scores. The latter goaled from close range in the 35th minute after Dunne teed him up.
There was probably another gear in St. Martin’s that they didn’t need to use however, although Philip Waters did add goal number four after Nicky Greene caught an opposition puck-out and fed him in the 39th minute (4-20 to 1-5).
St. Martin’s: Dylan Byrne; Jack Whelan, Philip Dempsey, Sam Audsley (0-1); Michael Codd (0-1), Adrian Ryan, Johnny Hamilton; Eoin O’Leary, Ben Stafford; Adam Cantwell (0-1), Philip Waters (1-3), Nicky Greene (0-2); Liam O Lionáin, Seán Stafford (capt., 2-16, 0-9 frees, 0-1 ’65), Kyle Firman (1-3). Subs. - Diarmuid Barry for Codd (42), Pádraig Rossiter for Dempsey (42), Callum Quirke for Byrne (45).
Davidstown-Courtnacuddy: Stephen Dunbar; Ger Martin (capt.), Michael Murphy, Kevin Keane; Daniel Delaney, Mark Byrne (0-3, 2 frees), Daryl Freeman; Mark Murphy (0-1), David Dunne (0-2); James Kelly (0-3), David O’Dwyer, James Doyle; Alan Hickey, Johnny Delaney (1-4, 0-1 free), Stephen Kennedy. Subs. - Kieron McCabe for Kennedy (43), Mick Power for Delaney (45), Brian Ormonde for Hickey (52).
Referee: Stephen Burke (Volunteers).