Hobbs goal helps Rocks
TARA ROCKS CLONGEEN 2-15 1-14 A 45th-minute goal from Brendan Hobbs helped Tara Rocks on their way to victory against Clongeen in Group B of the Junior hurling championship at St. Patrick’s Park on Sunday.
Hobbs confidently gathered a long delivery from Liam Fitzpatrick and blasted the ball to the corner of the net to give the north county side a 2-11 to 1-12 advantage.
Clongeen were ahead for most of the way prior to Hobbs’ intervention, but when it mattered most in the final quarter Tara Rocks had just that little bit extra to push on for victory.
The New Ross District side looked quite good in the early stages and a Christopher Cullen goal gave them a 1-3 to 0-4 lead in the tenth minute.
Emmet Kent floated the sliothar into the danger zone and Cullen rose highest to catch the ball before firing it past goalkeeper Aaron Redmond.
Paul Curtis in particular could consider himself unlucky to be on the losing side, as he contributed four fine points from play in the first-half and added another after the interval, and his efforts helped Clongeen to a 1-6 to 0-6 lead by the 20th minute.
However, Tara Rocks quickly wiped out that advantage when Joe Bolger fed Patrick Fortune, who confidently hit the corner of the net.
Clongeen responded well, with Emmet Kent knocking over a ‘65 and Paudie Cahill scoring an excellent point from the left sideline, before Declan Breen and Donal Murphy swapped points to leave the south county side leading by 1-9 to 1-7 at the break.
Clongeen just about kept their noses in front until Hobbs got the green flag waving midway through the half. Tara Rocks tacked on another four points to their tally before the end through Declan Breen (three) and Niall Breen, while all Clongeen could muster in reply were points from Emmet Kent and Ger Foxe.
The Gorey District side will meet Faythe Harriers next.
Tara Rocks: Aaron Redmond; Damien Tobin, Gary Owley, Shane Tobin; Martin Sheehan, Colin Breen, Tomás Owley; Niall Breen (0-1), Rhys Owley; Craig Kenny, Joe Bolger (0-1), Declan Breen (0-10, 7 frees, 2 ‘65s); Cormac Whitmore (0-1), Brendan Hobbs (1-2), Patrick Fortune (1-0). Subs. - Liam Fitzpatrick for R. Owley, Gearóid O Súilleabháin for Kenny, Lee Owley for Whitmore, Wayne Farrell for Bolger.
Clongeen: Ricky Rochford; Danny O’Grady, Anton Stafford, Barry Foxe; Marty Reville, Paudie Cullen, Donal Whelan; Paudie Cahill (0-2), Donal Murphy (0-2); Robert Farrell, Emmet Kent (0-4, 3 frees, 1 ‘65), Ger Foxe (0-1); Peter Anthony Wall, Christoper Cullen (1-0), Paul Curtis (0-5). Subs. - Tom Donovan for Whelan, Collie Byrne for Wall, Enda Murphy for Stafford, Jamie Keating for Farrell, Martin Kehoe for Donovan.
Referee: Aiden O’Brien (Cloughbawn).