O’Rafferty the inspiration
LIAM MELLOWS 1-14 OUR LADY’S ISLAND 0-12 SCORES FROM play were a rarity at Monageer as north met south county in a match of few frills and a couple of red cards on Sunday in Group A of the Top Oil Intermediate ‘A’ hurling championship.
But while it may have been a yawn for the fun-seeking neutral, the Liam Mellows players trooped off at the end happy to have re-ignited their faltering challenge.
The Gorey District lads had a match-winner in Stephen O’Rafferty who collected all but three of their scores, including the 38th-minute goal which gave them a vital edge.
Their opponents made the better start to an often tetchy encounter, with Jack Pettit flighting the ball successfully between the posts from half way within a minute of throw-in from a free.
The midfielder was destined to have plenty more opportunities from placed balls as he went on to rack up five points, one from a ’65 but none from open play.
Liam Mellows had the one forward on the pitch who appeared capable of creating scores from open play - or at least earning frees in promising positions – in corner man Conor Carty.
He also drew a fine early save from ’keeper Noel Dempsey, prompting the Our Lady’s Island defence to take stern steps to choke off the supply of ball to the lively number 13.
They were one ahead (0-8 to 0-7) at the break when they also had a one-man numerical advantage, following the dismissal of Jody O’Shaughnessy on a straight red after Quinn Saunders went down in a mysterious heap.
Though Liam Kinsella batted over a couple of impressive longrange frees after the resumption for the boys in blue, the Mellows were in no way cowed by the loss of their midfielder.
Brendan Halpin and Conor Carty both hit points from play and then came the goal that put their team ahead for the first and decisive time.
It was driven home with impressive purpose and power by O’Rafferty, making the most of breaking ball which came his way by getting his shot away with considerable speed.
Things then went from bad to worse for the eventual losers as Eoin Kinsella was given a red card for an ill-tempered swipe at an opponent a full pitch length off the ball.
They responded poorly to the challenge, adding just a couple of points (from frees, of course) in the concluding stages while O’Rafferty continued to bleed them white at the other end to leave Liam Mellows five points clear at Justin Heffernan’s final whistle.
Liam Mellows: Seán Roche; Stephen Moloney, Conor Cleary, Joe Gardiner; Colin Kennedy, Danny Gardiner, Andy Merrigan; Jody O’Shaughnessy, Risteárd Kinsella; Mark Halpin, Brendan Halpin (0-1), Gavin Stamp (01); Conor Carty (0-1), Richard Farrell, Stephen O’Rafferty (1-11, 0-8 frees).
Our Lady’s Island: Noel Dempsey; Cathal Devereux, Eamon Maloney, Davy Corish; Joey Murphy, Liam Kinsella (0-3 frees), Darragh Sinnott; Fintan Mullins, Jack Pettit (0-5, 4 frees, 1 ‘65); Quinn Saunders (0-1), Dean Maloney, Colm Kinsella (0-2); Nicky Keane, Eoin Kinsella, Robbie Reville (0-1). Subs. - John Walsh for Mullins (51), Eoin Wright for Keane (51).
Referee: Justin Heffernan (Blackwater).