Egan holds nerve to hit GOH leveller
LIAM MELLOWS 1-12 GER. O’HANRAHANS 2-9
THE RELIABLE Dylan Egan held his nerve to nail a late ‘65 as Geraldine O’Hanrahans claimed a precious share of the spoils with a 2-9 to 1-12 draw with Liam Mellows in Sunday’s competitive Top Oil Intermediate ‘A’ hurling championship Group B opener at a wet Blackwater.
Very little has separated these sides whenever they have met in recent years, and this game went along similar lines as the lead fluctuated back and forth in the second-half, only for Egan to ensure parity over three minutes into injury-time.
Brandon Gardiner demonstrated his acumen at shot-stopping on a couple of occasions for the Geraldines, and he was called to action immediately from the off when Eoin Cullen cantered in, only to be denied by the netminder.
Cullen converted the resulting ‘65 and also added a free one minute later as Mellows established an early lead.
Stephen Somers responded with the New Ross opener before Yusuf Frih made ground down the sideline and supplied Brendan Halpin to make it 0-3 to 0-1.
Barry Roche and Eoin Kelly restored parity by the eleventh minute, but a quick handpass from Cullen played in Colin Kennedy, and he launched an exocet across Gardiner for a fine goal two minutes later.
However, their lead was shortlived as Ned Connors was bustled over in front of goal and Egan made no mistake from the penalty.
Still, Mellows would have been relatively happy with their lot when they created a 1-8 to 1-5 lead by the end of the half, with Kennedy pointing over his shoulder, Ross Cody turning on the after-burners before splitting the posts, and Cullen knocking over a free after another soaring catch from the imperious Danny Gardiner.
But the leaders didn’t trouble the scoreboard again until the 47th minute and looked to be in considerable trouble as the Geraldines turned the tables in their favour.
Egan was successful from a free and a ‘65 to make it a one-point game, and he then got his side in front with a brilliant individual goal on 39 minutes.
There didn’t seem to be too much on when he stole possession around the half-forward line, but he weaved his way through the defence, juggled himself into position and slapped home for a 2-7 to 1-8 advantage.
Cody, Cullen (free), Halpin and Kennedy looked to have done just enough for Mellows, only for Egan to deservedly have the final say with that nerveless ‘65.
Liam Mellows: Darragh Murphy; Marc Halpin, Conor Cleary, Risteárd Kinsella; Joe Gardiner, Frank Roche, Aaron Condren; Danny Gardiner, Rory Heffernan; Stephen Moloney, Ross Cody (0-2), Yusuf Frih; Eoin Cullen (0-6, 4 frees, 1 ‘65), Colin Kennedy (capt., 1-2), Brendan Halpin (0-2). Subs. - Robbie Brooks for Moloney, temp (16-20), Brooks for Moloney (HT), Andy Merrigan for Condren (32).
Geraldine O’Hanrahans: Brandon Gardiner; Diarmuid Kehoe, Conor Cleere, Michael Cleere; Barry Kelly, Enda Kelly, Tony Murphy; Jack Foran, Pádraig Bailey; Eoin Kelly (0-1), Dylan Egan (2-5, 0-4 frees, 1-0 pen., 0-1 ‘65), Brian Haberlin; Barry Roche (0-2), Stephen Somers (capt., 0-1), Ned Connors.
Referee: John Carton (Monageer-Boolavogue).