Gorey knock champs out
McDonald inspires victory
NAOMH EANNA C’BEG-BALLYMURN 2-15 2-12 NAOMH EANNA were on top form on Tuesday evening as they got the better of holders Crossabeg-Ballymurn in the Premier division of the Under-21 hurling championship.
This thrilling game in Gorey saw both teams secure two goals and although Crossabeg-Ballymurn were never completely beaten until the final blow of the whistle, they never managed to break down Naomh Eanna after the home side edged ahead.
Conor McDonald was sharp on his feet during play and accurate as ever when put in charge of dead balls. He edged his green and white men ahead during the first-half by claiming his points from play and managing to raise the green flag with a well-struck low effort.
Sam Kelly was the star man for Crossabeg-Ballymurn. He was reliable standing over dead balls and helped keep his men in contention during the first-half.
Darragh Hughes claimed a fine point from wing-forward and the same could be said for Crossabeg-Ballymurn man, Glen Murphy.
It was level at half-time in terms of points but Conor McDonald’s goal made the difference and allowed his men a one-goal advantage at the break.
Crossabeg-Ballymurn were keen to score goals in the second-half. Bill Eviston and Oisín Foley were the two to share the scoring spoils
However, Kevin Harrington had a goal on his mind too. He man- aged to hit the back of the net and claim the second green flag for the Gorey men. This meant that Naomh Eanna maintained their lead, although credit to Crossabeg-Ballymurn for fighting very hard to change the situation.
Hughes re-appeared on the scoring sheet for Naomh Eanna, while Martin Redmond, Paddy Devereux, Glen Murphy and Pádraig Foley all raised the white flag at the opposite end of the field.
The combined efforts of Oisín Foley and Sam Kelly produced moments of class for Crossabeg-Ballymurn but, unfortunately for their team, Naomh Eanna clinched their lead and held it until the end with Conor McDonald being their key man in attack.
Naomh Eanna: Jack Cushe; David Kennedy, Eoin Molloy, Darren Sunderland; Ross Murphy, Gary Molloy, Jack Cullen; Aodhán Doyle, Kevin Harrington (1-0); Darragh Hughes (0-3), Gearóid Cullen, Michael Molloy; Charlie McGuckin, Connor McDonald (1-12, 0-5 frees), Tiernan Doyle. Subs. - Eoin McGuckin for M. Molloy, Seamus O’Donnell for Murphy.
Crossabeg Ballymurn: Noel Scallan; Paul Larrissy, Bill Eviston (1-0), Tommy Ring; Cormac O’Rourke David Kehoe, Martin Redmond (0-1); Paddy Devereux (0-1), Ronan Devereux; Oisín Foley (1-1), Sam Kelly (0-7, 4 frees), Luke Redmond; Dylan Ring, Pádraig Foley (0-1 free), Robert Byrne. Subs. - Glen Murphy (0-1) for L. Redmond, Shane Conroy for Byrne.
Referee: Pádraig Byrne (Ballyfad).