Alley in higher gear
No fireworks between neighbours
THOSE OF a neutral persuasion at Páirc Uí Shíocháin on Easter Sunday hoping for some fireworks between neighbours Buffers Alley and Monageer-Boolavogue were left unfulfilled as the former proved too strong on the way to securing a second consecutive The Courtyard Ferns Intermediate hurling championship Group A win in this rather tame encounter.
While two first-half goals did a lot of the spadework for Colm Morris’ charges, perhaps the most sobering take from Monageer-Boolavogue’s point of view is the feeling that the Monamolin-based side were playing at only three-quarters pace and never really had to go full throttle at any stage.
Even more worrying though for the losers is the loss of Pádraig Flynn to what looked like a serious lower leg injury after ten minutes, and considering his importance to their attacking play, they may well be one of the few teams grateful for the championship break.
Early points from Ross Donohoe (‘65) and Ciarán Murphy got the victors up and running, and although David Mernagh picked off a response for Monageer-Boolavogue on three minutes, the net was rattling at the other end from the resultant puck-out.
Oliver O’Leary can dispatch it a fair distance even in still conditions, but when his re-start carried in the wind towards Andrew Kenny at the edge of the square, he didn’t need a second invitation to thud the ball home.
Diarmuid Fenlon knocked over a free when play resumed after Flynn’s injury, while his replacement, Laurence Murphy, pointed from his first touch as Monageer-Boolavogue remained within sight early on (1-3 to 0-3).
The gap stayed at three points courtesy of two Fenlon placed balls (one free, one ‘65), before a perfectly weighted pass from Buffers Alley captain Pat Kenny located Willie Doran inside, and he flashed low to the net as their lead suddenly expanded to 2-5 to 0-5 by the 21st minute.
Kenny also did some excellent sweeping up before setting up John Farrell for a point, while emerging star Liam Walsh, a cousin of Monageer-Boolavogue’s Cathal and Mark Walsh, ensured they sat 2-9 to 0-7 in front at the change of ends.
Two quick points from Paul O’Leary kept the scoreboard ticking over, while Brian O’Loughlin replied with a long-ranger for Monageer-Boolavogue.
The next six scores were all of the dead-ball variety, three from Fenlon, two from O’Leary, and a ‘65 from Donohoe.
Late points from play from Kevin Roche and Andrew Kenny (two) consolidated the win for the side looking to make an immediate return to the Senior ranks, and going about it in the right manner.
Buffers Alley: Oliver O’Leary; Paudie Reidy, Seán Murphy, Barry Kenny; Bobby Kenny, Ross Donohoe (0-2 ‘65s), Ciarán Kenny; Pat Kenny (capt.), John Farrell (0-1); Ciarán Murphy (0-1), Willie Doran (1-1), Kevin Roche (0-1); Liam Walsh (0-2), Andrew Kenny (1-2), Paul O’Leary (0-8, 6 frees, 1 ‘65). Subs. - Shane Grannell for P. Kenny (52), Páraic Roche for K. Roche (57).
Monageer-Boolavogue: Morgan Gahan; Liam Gahan, Ger Daly, Niall O’Reilly; Mark Walsh (capt.), Brian O’Loughlin (0-1), Diarmuid Fenlon (08, 7 frees, 1 ‘65); Tommy Breen, Noel Rowsome; Stephen Lacey, Cathal Walsh (0-1), Matthew Dunne; Bertie Gahan, Pádraig Flynn, David Mernagh (0-2). Subs. - Laurence Murphy (0-1) for Flynn, inj. (10), Pádraig Walsh for Lacey (HT), Mark Gahan for B. Gahan (HT), Mick Sweeney for O’Reilly (41), Micheál Gahan for Daly, inj. (51).
Referee: Damian Donovan (Volunteers).