Davidstown deliver
Strong second-half downs the ’Ford
D’TOWN-C’CUDDY 4-8
CRAANFORD 2-2
A STRONG second half performance helped Davidstown-Courtnacuddy to a twelve-point victory over Craanford in this exciting New Ross Standard Under-13 hurling Division 3 shield final in St. Patrick’s Park, Enniscorthy, recently.
The final scoreline was somewhat flattering to the winners, as the real difference between two otherwise evenly-matched sides was the ability of Davidstown-Courtnacuddy to clinically finish their scoring opportunities.
This was in stark contrast to their opponents whose accuracy failed to match that of the eventual winners, but it also must be said they came up against the inspired goalkeeping of Ciarán Kehoe.
The netminder made four super saves, two in each half, which contributed in keeping the north Wexford side at bay.
Little separated the sides through the opening ten minutes, at the end of which the eventual winners led by 0-2 to 0-1, with Lucas Fitzpatrick and Páuric Doyle (free) responding to an opening point from Jack Smyth.
The Davidstown-Courtnacuddy boys continued to extend their lead, adding further points through Doyle (free), Fitzpatrick and Jamie Wickham.
Approaching the break the eventual losers were handed a real lifeline when Michael Doyle finished to the net after a Darragh Steadmond shot had been blocked, leaving Davidstown-Courtnacuddy with a 0-5 to 1-1 interval lead.
A Billy Redmond pointed free within two minutes of the re-start had the sides level.
However, Craanford had their work cut out once their opponents responded two minutes later, with an Aaron Wilson goal leaving them with a 1-5 to 1-2 lead.
Davidstown-Courtnacuddy kicked on from here as Aaron Wilson added a point, but Craanford still kept battling all the way to the bitter end.
And they managed to remain in touch when Conor Donohoe goaled from an acute angle, leaving just two points separating the sides (1-7 to 2-2) after 39 minutes.
As the game entered the closing ten minutes, the Enniscorthy District side finished strongest with substitute Ciarán McClean adding two goals.
Close to the finish, full-forward Aaron Wilson capped a fine display with his side’s final goal, giving them a dserved victory in the end.
Davidstown-Courtnacuddy: Ciarán Kehoe; Pádraic O’Donoghue, James Delaney, Darragh O’Regan; Shane Jordan, Bill Quigley, Fionn Andrews; Ben Kavanagh, Páuric Doyle (0-4, 2 frees, 1 ‘65); Ciarán Delaney, Lucas Fitzpatrick (0-2), Eoin Clarke; Jamie Wickham (0-1), Aaron Wilson (2-1), Bill Blyth. Subs. - Ciarán McClean (2-0), Eoin Farrell, Rowan Doyle, James Killeen, Larry Cloke, Olly Tracey, Alex Wickham.
Craanford: Patrick Finn; Lorcan Doyle, Calvin O’Toole, George Doyle; Conor Cassidy, Fionn Murphy, Eoin Steadmond; Paddy Redmond, Conor Hayes; Conor Donoghue (1-0), Darragh Steadmond, Billy Redmond (0-1 free); Hughie Doyle, Micheál Doyle (1-0), Jack Smyth (0-1). Subs. - Louis O’Halloran, Daire Kinsella, Daryl O’Brien, Ethan Spencer, Cathal Dennehy, Ethan Goodwin, Ben David, Colm Byrne, Pat Kavanagh.
Referee: Dan Crosby (Kilmore).