Big Bunclody win
THE VASTLY superior fitness levels of HWH-Bunclody powered them to a very comfortable 21-point win over a struggling St. Joseph’s side in this Amber Springs/Ashdown Park Hotels Intermediate football championship Group B mis-match in St. Patrick’s Park, Enniscorthy, on Saturday.
The signs were ominous for the Bishopswater side from the off, with free-taker Jamie John Murphy and midfielder Pádraig Sinnott popping over early points before a fine pass by Aidan Nolan teed up Peter Atkinson for a third-minute goal.
Kevin Dunne then widened the gap to six and, although Jason Murphy pointed a free for the Joseph’s in the seventh minute, they didn’t register again in that one-sided opening half.
Another quality delivery from Nolan picked out overlapping corner-back Billy Kelly to rattle Eoin Kinsella’s net once more midway through the first quarter, and HWH-Bunclody went on to lead by 2-8 to 0-1 at the break after further unanswered points from Murphy (three, two frees), Cathal Doyle and the strong-running Eoin Kelly (free).
The scraps of comfort were few and far between for St. Joseph’s on the re-start. Substitute T.J. Paige did kick a sweet point from a very tight angle near the right corner, while Paul Murphy was one of the best players on the field but lacked support, even though Paddy Harnett and Shaun Mullins did try hard.
It remained a stroll for HWH-Bunclody, despite the absence of county player Martin O’Connor through injury, while midfielder Seán Kenny had to leave the fray at half-time with a dead leg.
Their third goal arrived in the 33rd minute when Eoin Kelly hammered the ball against the back staunchion at the country end after former county hurler Peter Atkinson broke a Cathal Doyle delivery into his path.
After that they were content to pick off their points without over-exerting themselves, as Kelly (free and two from play), Jamie John Murphy (play and free), Byron Byrne, Atkinson (two) and Kevin Dunne all contributed to that healthy winning margin.
HWH-Bunclody: Patrick Kavanagh; Jamie Kavanagh, Colm Farrell (0-1), Billy Kelly (1-0); Byron Byrne (0-1), John Dunne, Ciarán Kavanagh; Seán Kenny, Pádraig Sinnott (0-1); Cathal Doyle (0-2), Eoin Kelly (1-4, 0-2 frees), Aidan Nolan; Jamie John Murphy (0-6, 4 frees), Kevin Dunne (02), Peter Atkinson (1-2). Subs. - Conor Crean for Kenny, inj. (HT), Josh Martin for Farrell (49).
St. Joseph’s: Eoin Kinsella; Gary Roche, Paddy King, Calum Frankis; Shaun Mullins, Paddy Harnett, Eddie Lawlor; Jim Berry, Paul Murphy (0-1); Tommy Sheridan, Derek Bergin, Dean Roche (0-1); Josh Guerrine, Steven Brosnan, Jason Murphy (0-4, 3 frees). Subs. - T.J. Paige (0-1) for Guerrine (36), Darragh Whelan for Berry (45), Guerrine for Bergin, inj. (55).
Referee: John O’Loughlin (Monageer-Boolavogue).