Veteran Bolger the Cushinstown hero with winning goal
VETERAN OLLIE Bolger has given sterling service to Rathgarogue-Cushinstown at adult level for more than two decades at this stage, and his 48th-minute goal was the key score in O’Kennedy Park, New Ross, on Sunday as his side powered on to a second successive win in Group A of The Courtyard Ferns Intermediate hurling championship at the expense of Taghmon-Camross.
The sides were level (2-9 each), and the eventual winners were struggling to put wind advantage to full use, when the wily forward left his mark on this keenly-fought District derby.
The influential Tadhg Cody delivered a long ball that was taken down by Bernard Furlong, with Bolger on hand to apply the finish and Rathgarogue-Cushinstown never looked back.
An outstanding half-back trio of Robert Murphy, Matthew Cody and Eoin Porter drove them on to victory, although they did have one narrow escape before finishing with a flourish.
That occurred in the 52nd minute when Stephen O’Gorman soloed through with a goal on his mind, but his effort was deflected over the bar to leave three points dividing the teams (3-11 to 2-11).
Rathgarogue-Cushinstown were vastly superior in the closing stages though, with captain Brian O’Neill knocking over two frees on either side of an inspiring second long-range point from play by county footballer Eoin Porter.
As newcomers to the grade, Taghmon-Camross had done well to push Buffers Alley all the way in round one, and they almost goaled inside three minutes but Nicky Sinnott saved superbly from Cathal Doyle.
However, the net was rattling midway through the first quarter when a delivery by Barry O’Gorman broke favourably to Stephen O’Gorman who was clinical with his finish (1-2 to 0-1).
Rathgarogue-Cushinstown got back on level terms (1-3 each) with a fine goal in the 21st minute, with Danny Martin Carroll starting and finishing a move that also featured Tadhg Cody and Bernard Furlong, shortening his grip and batting home in similar fashion to the major he scored eight days earlier against HWH-Bunclody.
Taghmon-Camross went on to lead by 2-6 to 2-4 at half-time, with their second goal putting them 2-4 to 1-4 clear in the 26th minute after Ian Carty surged down the middle before picking out Cathal Doyle to his left with a handpass.
Rathgarogue-Cushinstown responded when Chris Kent tucked away the rebound after Jack Dunne saved from Tadhg Cody, but a sweetly-struck line ball from the left by Barry O’Gorman left Taghmon-Camross with that twopoint interval lead.
Although Rathgarogue-Cushinstown drew level inside 80 seconds of the re-start through Kent and Brian O’Neill, Taghmon-Camross dug in and led by one point on three separate occasions before that vital Bolger goal which ultimately decided the outcome.
Rathgarogue-Cushinstown: Nicky Sinnott; Peadar Cody, Bryan Cody, Ricky McGrath; Robert Murphy, Matthew Cody (0-1 free), Eoin Porter (0-2); Tadhg Cody, Brian O’Neill (capt., 0-6, 4 frees); Ollie Bolger (1-1), Danny Martin Carroll (1-1), Jason Dunne (0-1); Chris Kent (1-1), Bernard Furlong, Patrick Murphy (0-1). Sub. - Daire Bolger for P. Murphy (43).
Taghmon-Camross: Jack Dunne; David O’Keeffe, Robbie Nolan, Mark O’Gorman; Ian Carty (capt., 0-1), Alan Nolan, Shane Doyle; Stephen Stafford (0-1), Darren Carty; Stephen O’Keeffe (0-1), Barry O’Gorman (0-1 line ball), Luke Sinnott (0-2, 1 ’65); Shane Lacey, Stephen O’Gorman (1-3), Cathal Doyle (1-2, 0-2 frees). Subs. - Chris Cullen for D. Carty, inj. (21), Mick O’Gorman for S. O’Keeffe (HT), Adam Sinnott for Lacey (46), Richie Comerford for L. Sinnott, inj. (60).
Referee: David O’Leary (Rathnure).