Midfielders inspire victory

GUSSERANE D’TOWN-C’CUDDY 1-15 0-14 A MONUMENTAL effort from midfield duo Adrian Redmond and Mark Rossiter proved the catalyst for Gusserane’s first victory in Group A of the Junior hurling championship at Adamstown on Friday.

The deadly double-act combined for six points from play and ran their opponents ragged with a tireless display. There was a certain irony to their showing, seeing as star of the summer for the county Senior team, David Dunne, noted for that type of performance, lined up opposite.

Gusserane matched up Jack O’Connor on the Davidstown-Courtnacuddy flyer and, despite conceding a number of frees, it had to be considered a job well done by the defender, giving up just one point to Dunne in 60 minutes.

Apart from their county star, Davidstown-Courtnacuddy lack the explosiveness that Gusserane have in spades. The guile and experience they possess wasn’t enough to stunt their opponents’ progress, as even when the Enniscorthy District side got a bit of momentum and asked questions, their opponents had the answers available on the bench.

Gusserane got off to the perfect start when Fintan Ryan found Graeme Cullen and he cut in on goal to net.

With Johnny Delaney on target twice, Davidstown-Courtnacuddy drew level for the first time in the 17th minute (1-2 to 0-5).

However, it was the New Ross District side, aided by three points each from both midfielders, whichwent in at the break leading by 1-7 to 0-8. Within five minutes of the re-start it was all change, as points from Walter Furlong, Alan Campion and Dunne gave Davidstown-Courtnacuddy their only advantage of the evening (0-11 to 1-7).

While their opponents only managed three further points, Gusserane continued to prosper. Seán Ryan came off the bench to bag a brace of points while Rossiter’s point from tight to the left touchline emphasised the confidence with which his side played.

While Gusserane will need to beat Bannow-Ballymitty to progress to the last eight, things look bleaker for a Davidstown-Courtnacuddy side rooted to the bottom of the Group A table with two games to go.

Gusserane: Micheál Ryan; Paul Wall, Kenneth Cahill, Jack O’Connor; Liam Dillon (capt.), Shane Cullen, James Redmond; Adrian Redmond (0-4), Mark Rossiter (0-5, 3 frees); Martin Fitzharris (0-1), Keith O’Grady (0-2 frees), Seán Kinsella; Páraic Conway, Graeme Cullen (1-1), Fintan Ryan. Subs. - Mark O’Neill for Kinsella (33), Seán Ryan (0-2) for Conway (45).

Davidstown-Courtnacuddy: Declan French; Ger Martin, Mark Byrne, Daniel Delaney; Michael Murphy, Greg Jacob, Stephen Kennedy; Paul Sheridan, James Doyle (0-2); David Dunne (0-1), Stephen Sheridan, Walter Furlong (0-2); Patrick Kennedy, Johnny Delaney (capt., 0-7, 6 frees), Alan Campion (0-2). Subs. - Bill Harrington for P. Kennedy (36), Billy Martin for Campion (45), Patrick Rowsome for S. Sheridan (51), Alan Hickey for P. Sheridan (57).

Referee: Fintan Whyte (St. James’).