High-scoring Rocks occupy first position
HIGH-SCORING Tara Rocks lead the way in Group A of the Top Oil Intermediate ‘A’ hurling championship after coming from behind to beat Shelmaliers at Páirc Uí Shíocháin on Saturday.
The Gorey District club have racked up an impressive 24 scores in both games so far, with 18 of their points in this contest coming from play. They were particularly impressive in the half-forward line, where their attackers continually found the space to prosper.
Five points might have separated the sides in the end, yet for all-but the last couple of minutes this was a hugely entertaining, honest and close-run game.
Both sides deserve credit for the way they approached the game, as does referee Martin Armstrong for giving one of the better displays of the championship so far.
There were 13 scores in the first twelve minutes and Shelmaliers had the majority of them (2-6 to 0-5).
Bobby Hughes and Joe Kelly had a brace each on the board but the Rocks trailed by 1-2 to 0-2 after Michael Feeney fired home from close range after three minutes.
Despite a fabulous effort from his own ‘45 by Peter Hughes, the Hollymount side continued to take their chances and hadn’t struck a wide by the time Kevin O’Leary pulled home a high Kelly ball on the edge of the square to give his club that early seven-point advantage.
After the breathless start, things slowed a little and Shelmaliers managed just two more first-half points.
They were sharing the scores around at the other end, as Hughes brought his tally to three, both midfielders were on the board, and Mark Boland and Dean O’Toole had a pair apiece as Tara Rocks closed to three by the interval (2-8 to 0-11).
Bobby Hughes was up to six as his side pulled within a single point in the 41st minute (2-11 to 0-16).
However, another brace from Joe Kelly ensured Shelmaliers took a three-point lead into the final quarter.
They did not score again though. On the other hand, Tara Rocks added eight points in the final eleven minutes to ease away.
O’Toole got four of them, while Boland also chipped in with a brace as the Rocks blitzed their way to victory.
Tara Rocks: Tom Hughes; Aidan Jones, Peter Hughes (0-1), Rhys Owley; Ben Morris, Niall Hughes, Lee Owley; Niall Breen (0-1), Paudie Hughes (0-2); Mark Boland (0-4), Dean O’Toole (0-8, 6 frees), Bobby Hughes (0-6); Patrick Fortune, Ben O’Connor, Conor Devitt (0-2). Subs. - Pat O’Connor for Fortune (36), Tom Mordaunt for O’Connor (36).
Shelmaliers: Adam Howlin; Adam Hearne, Ciarán Walsh, Eoghan Fitzgerald; Denis Kelly (0-1), Chris Cowman, Tommy Barron (0-1); Jody Donohoe, Willie O’Shaughnessy; Joe Kelly (0-9, 4 frees, 1 ‘65), Ryan Hanrahan, Michael Feeney (1-1); Kevin O’Leary (1-0), Kyle Roche, Liam Rockett (0-1). Sub. - Johnny Campbell for D. Kelly (48).
Referee: Martin Armstrong (Rapparees).